Original Austro-Hungarian WWI Artillery NCO Double Breasted Dress Tunic Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely 1916 dated dark blue with red piping NCO tunic as used by Artillery NCOs in the Austro-Hungarian army leading up to WWI. All components are present and it even still retains the 1873 War Medal. The War Medal 1873 was a military medal of Austria-Hungary established in 1873 and awarded for the occasion of Emperor Franz Joseph I. 25th anniversary of his reign and could be awarded to all military personnel of the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces that took part in one or more campaigns in the years 1848, 1849, 1859, 1864, 1866, 1869, 1878, 1882, as well as in the military operations during the Chinese Boxer Rebellions from 1900 to 1901, have participated.

The uniform itself is in wonderful condition and retains all original 15 brass buttons on the front of the tunic. The collar and cuffs are red, an indication of artillery use and the gold color trim would indicate rank standing and we believe this to be an NCO. There is minor stitch loss and separation but nothing too significant. The interior still retains a fantastic lining and inner belt. The lining still features a legible depot stamp with the date 1916.

The long-standing white infantry uniforms were replaced in the later half of the 19th century with dark blue tunics, which in turn were replaced by the pike gray M1908 uniform used in the initial stages of World War I. In September 1915, field gray was adopted as the new official uniform color. As the KuK Army was plagued with supply shortages, when the new Field-gray uniforms were first introduced, remaining stocks of the preexisting Pike-gray uniforms remained in use alongside the newer Feldgrau model.

While this one has a 1916 date, we believe it is a pre war produced example that remained in service for ceremonial purposes. It also has a inventory stamp from WESTERN COSTUME CO, indicating it was purchased off the surplus market for use in film productions. It was far cheaper at the time for the costume and film companies to purchase surplus than it was to fabricate these items, and this is definitely an original item, not a costume shop fabrication.

A lovely tunic ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements

Collar to shoulder:    10″
Shoulder to sleeve:   25.5”
Shoulder to shoulder:   17”
Chest width:   20″
Waist width:  18″
Hip width:     21”
Front length:    31″