U-137 Army
Waffenrock for an Artillery Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant), with Metal Unit
Ciphers and Aiguillette
The approximate size 36L tunic is made of very fine quality Trikot
wool with a very smooth “hand” (i.e. “feel” - in textile jargon). It is
a nice, medium hued field grey color, and in very good condition with only one
small moth hole partially through the outer material layer along the horizontal
waist seam on the left – practically unnoticeable – and a couple tiny spots
on the inner side of the right forearm. An intriguing aspect of this tunic is
the fact that it has had more than one original owner: with the second having
slightly different measurements than the first. Modifications were needed (no
telling why the first owner no longer required the tunic)…..At any rate, the
rather unique construction of the collar (viewed with the lay-down portion
turned up) indicates to me that the outer, lay down portion was changed when the
second owner took over. The red wool/felt backed aluminum bullion Litzen (collar
tabs) are superb. The tunic has an outstanding Officer’s hand embroidered
bullion breast eagle. The sew-in shoulder boards are in semi-shiny aluminum
braid with the bright red Artillery branch underlay and one gold pip (toned a
bit dark) on each, indicating the rank of Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant).
Each board also has a pair of gilt metal ciphers indicating the Officer’s
regiment number, “14”. The shoulders are lightly padded to give the tunic a
more fitted look. There is a very fine Officer’s “Achselschnur”
(aiguillette) slung under the right shoulder board (though there is no button),
with its two aluminum braids and heavy cords, and the matte silver finished
metal end ferrules – all in outstanding condition. There is a collector added
Iron Cross Second Class ribbon bar (no loops), and there is a set of loops for a
medal or badge on the left breast. A further indicator of the second
owner’s size difference is that the sleeve cuffs have been repositioned about
.75” lower than their original position, with the hem of the inner sleeve
linings correspondingly higher than the new bottom edge of the cuffs, and there
are traces of threads along the rear cuff seams. The tunic interior is lined in
dark grey rayon. There is a burst seam at the collar rear, and some general
soiling from honest wear tinting the grey color more toward brown in places;
there are also a few faint stains below the added armpit pads. The front closure
buttonholes show traces of thread reinforcement at some corners. The interior
has the commonly encountered two-part waist cinch belt (good condition). A
very intriguing Waffenrock!
$1,270.00
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Item U-137
