Infantry Rgt 18 Oberfeldwebel's "Der Spiess" Old Style Service Tunic

High quality field-grey wool tricot construction tunic. The tunic features an six button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes at the neck. The edge of the left front closure panel is fully trimmed in white wool branch piping while the edge of the right front closure panel has white piping running from the waistline to the bottom of the tail skirt. The tunic features two pleated patch breast pockets and two slash hip pockets, all with scalloped button down flaps. The right breast has a rare early style NCO/Officers flat wire breast eagle on light tan colored backing. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the tunic. A 4 place ribbon bar is pinned in place, through the cloth above the left breast pocket. The medal concists of following medals: Heer long service medal for 12 and 18 years, Anschluss medal and Sudetenland medal. Sleeves have deep French cuffs which are stitched in the upright position at both the inner and outer sleeve seams. Silver / Aluminum rank tresse is machine sewn in two rows, denoting the special rank “Der Spiess”. The reverse of the tunic has a central tail skirt with two belt ramp buttons situated at its top edge. The tunic has sewn on shoulder boards of grey/green badge cloth with White branch piping. The shoulder boards feature bright (pre war style) NCO’s tress to all the outside edges and two rank pips, unit number “18” for “Infantry Regiment 18”. The tunic has a stand and fall bottle green badge cloth collar. The edge of the collar is trimmed in bright NCO’s tress and features machine woven collar tab litzen in woven silver with interwoven white branch of service and center stripes. Tabs are machine sewn to the collar.

The interior of the tunic is fully lined in a grey/brown cotton blend with off white striped sleeves. The buttons are all the silver washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal type and all appear to have their original stitching. The tunic is in very good condition with no, rips, holes or mendings. Just a light age patina and subtle signs of real use.

Stunning pre war tunic which would make a great addition to any collection!!