Luftwaffe A well worn tunic

[Paul R]

I just received yet another admin tunic in the mail today. It was an Ebay win. It is without it's eagle and in very rough shape due to hard wear and is full of field repairs.

This type of tunic was not meant for field use. Also, with this man being an Administrative Official, I can only see a couple of possibilities... It is easy to envision many nights, sleeping outside wearing this jacket for warmth. It was definitely used and abused.

1. This tunic saw a few years in a POW camp.

2. This tunic was part of a long walk home, after the war was lost.

If it could only talk!

It is missing not only the eagle, but the top button as well! To top things off, there are two loops for a nice two space ribbon bar. I think that a basic EK2/HK combo would go perfectly!

[Paul R]

Insignia are definitely period applied!! The insignia are definitely more worn than they appear in the photos. The shoulder boards show areas where the silver braid has lost it's luster due to over use.

[Paul R]

Heavy wear is noted on the collar contact surface.

[Paul R]

The wear is much more apparent in life. Here is an under the collar shot!

[Paul R]

One of the many field repairs. One of the lower pockets>

[Paul R]

More areas of wear.

[Paul R]

Back. Still very dirty. Notice the wear over the shoulder blades. Also, notice the repairs over the elbows and lower front pocket(on the left).

[Paul R]

More repairs, elbow

[Paul R]

Other elbow

[Paul R]

Finally, the liner. There are tons of repairs inside. The D-ring for the dagger hanger is gone as well. The white areas on the liner are places where the liner has worn through. There are even more areas where the liner is paper thin.

This tunic has seen much hardship... One can only imagine what the owner went through. The fact he kept this worn out rag makes me wonder of the attachment he had to the memories of the time.

[Paul R]

Thank you all for looking!! Any comments and questions are very welcome!!

[Snoopy]

Hi Paul

I like the tunic a lot. Are you going to keep it, as it is, or are you going to add the missing parts? In its present condition, it certainly has a story to tell.

Regards

Snoopy

Edited November 14, 2007 by Snoopy

[Paul R]

Hi,

That is a good question. I considered pinning a well used officer's eagle and replacing the missing button, although I will most likely leave it the way it is.

[Scott]

Nice score Paul - lots of untold history in that one. Congratulations!

Scott

[nesredep]

Hi Paul

I like the tunic a lot. Are you going to keep it, as it is, or are you going to add the missing parts? In its present condition, it certainly has a story to tell.

Regards

Snoopy

Hello!

I agree.

All the best

Nesredep

[Paul R]

Thanks guys! I do wish it could talk.

[Bob Lyons]

Nice pick up Paul!

Bob

[Paul R]

Thanks Bob,

Here are some more photos, now that I have time to set it up...

[Paul R]

2

[Paul R]

3

[Paul R]

And what it would look like with an eagle.