Original German Early WWII Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Officers Fliegerbluse Uniform Tunic with Trousers – Embroidered “Droop-Tail” Eagle Original Items

Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is a lovely early war German WWII Luftwaffe Flight Branch Officer’s Four Pocket Fliegerbluse (Flight Blouse) Service Tunic, complete with the correct trousers, making this a great uniform set. Both are made from lovely Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer’s Blue) Blue Gray “whipcord weave” wool, with the color matching nearly exactly. They show only light wear and fading from use, so they were definitely well cared for.

The fliegerbluse tunic is a lovely bespoke example, made by a skilled tailor during the pre-war years. It features a four button front closure, with four squared pockets with square button-down flaps. The buttons on the tunic are all magnetic, most likely pebbled aluminum tops with steel undersides, and all are marked with the “barred A” trademark logo, of F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a large maker of belts, buttons, and other accouterments. These are all sewn directly to the tunic, as is typical for a private purchase tunic. The right breast of the uniform has a correct early “Droop-Tail” bullion embroidered officers eagle sewn in place with the correct stitching pattern. It is only stitched to the outer layer of fabric, so it is the original eagle installed on this uniform tunic.

The collar of this officer’s tunic has a twisted bullion border, correct for a Luftwaffe officer’s fliegerbluse. The attached Kragenpatten (Collar Flaps) are in Goldgelb (Gold-Yellow), the correct Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Aviator troops such as pilots and ground personnel, as well as Fallschirmjäger (parachute troops). The sew-in style Schulterklappen (Shoulder Boards or Epaulettes) have the same color piping, and have four rows of silver “Russia Braid” around the edge with one rank “Pip” on each, indicating the rank of Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant). This is confirmed by the collar insignia, which each show two “gull wing” insignia over a wreath.

The interior of the tunic is lined in fine blue ribbed rayon, and does show some light wear. There are no markings that we can see, indicating that it was a bespoke example made for this specific officer, not one issued through military channels. It features an internal elastic belt in the front for a more form fitting appearance. The sleeves are lined with striped fabric, standard for the period, which looks to be a cotton rayon blend. There is the correct hanger loop next to the large eyelet for the left lower pocket to hang a dagger. Additionally, there are “ventilation” inserts in the armpit area, which look designed to prevent the officer from sweating. We have never seen something like this before, and definitely makes this an interesting example!

Overall exterior condition is excellent, showing only light wear from service. It is remarkably well preserved considering how old it is We cannot see any real mothing, and the colors are vibrant and well retained. The Bullion is still bright, and the buttons are lovely. Really a choice example here!

The included matching trousers are also in really great shape, showing very little wear. The “niter bluing’ on the side adjustment straps buckles is almost completely retained. The trousers feature a 4 button fly with a hook and loop clasp at the top, and there are two vertical slash waist pockets. There is also an additional small pocket on the front right, and the rear right has a horizontal pocket with a scalloped button down flap. The bottoms of the trousers still have their reinforcements in great shape, and there is some light wear and small holes around the very bottoms of the legs.

A really great Luftwaffe early war flight branch officer’s uniform set, ready to add to your collection and display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.