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In even the most complete collections of German World War II uniforms, one only rarely encounters one of these piped field service tunics. That’s because they were authorized for wear by only a tiny fraction of all the Wehrmacht troops in the field.
This custom-tailored Third Reich tunic is far more unusual than most as it bears the shoulder insigne of rank of an Oberstabsveterinär or major in the German Veterinary corps. The tunic was only recently purchased from the family of the deceased American 319th Infantry Regiment veteran who brought it back to the United States in 1945. It has never been taken to a militaria show of any kind and has never been in the hands of a militaria dealer.
The tunic has a 2 mm Karmesin (carmine) Waffenfarb piping around the collar and down the front, as well as around the tops of both cuffs. The shoulder boards and collar tabs match the piping. A fine photo of a similar tunic being worn by a Knights Cross winner shaking the hand of Nazi Deputy Führer and Reichsminister Rudolf Hess may be seen on page 137 of the excellent book German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945 by Brian L. Davis (The World Publishing Co, New York, 1972). Another example in color can be found on page 85 of the book Fists of Steel (Time-Life, Alexandria VA, 1988).
The measurements of this very high quality tailor-made Nazi tunic are as follows:
NECK: 17 inches - SHOULDERS: 16-1/2 inches
SLEEVES: 25 inches - BACK LENGTH: 28 inches - ARMPIT to ARMPIT: 20 inches
NECK: 17 inches - SHOULDERS: 16-1/2 inches
SLEEVES: 25 inches - BACK LENGTH: 28 inches - ARMPIT to ARMPIT: 20 inches
The defects to be found on this combat tunic are few and simple. There was once an adhesive name label (the Germans invented iron-ons) inside the neck, and while it has been removed there is some residue below the collar keeper in the neck of the tunic. There are some very faint light colored stains above the left breast pocket and on the front outside of the left arm. We suspect they would come out with a dry cleaning. There is also a tiny hole through the fabric above the center of the left breast pocket, but that hole would be covered by the ribbon bar.
The tunic was tailor-made by Oscar Beierlein of Theaterstrasse 59 in Glauchau (just west of Chemnitz) for an officer named Kunberg on 5 May 1938. A label containing that information may be found sewed inside of the inside breast pocket.
There are coat hanger loops inside the sleeves at each shoulder and an adjustable sword and dagger hanging strap with an Assmann RZM M5/8 snap hook, attached in the left armpit. A slot allows the snap hook to fall out beneath the left bottom pocket flap. There are three thread loops above the left breast pocket for the pin of a ribbon bar.
We took the picture below and adjusted it in such a way that it makes the faint stains on the sleeve and above the pocket as obvious as we possibly can. They are in fact less obvious in real life.
The tunic has beautiful details such as a full satin lining, satin lining on the inside of the pocket flaps, satin trim on the tops of the breast pockets, a fine quality bullion embroidered breast eagle, matching epaulettes and collar tabs, a unique tailor label, high quality Assmann sword and dagger snap hook, etc. Very good overall condition.
NAZI VETERINARIAN MAJOR UNIFORM TUNIC
A NICE 100% ORIGINAL CARMINE PIPED WEHRMACHT FIELD SERVICE TUNIC FOR A MAJOR OF THE VETERINARY SERVICE
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