Gebirgs-Pioneer Btl 54 Feldwebel's Old Style Service Tunic

The old style service tunic was introduced for wear in the Reichswehr and was replaced with the field blouse in the Third Reich, with an unspecified wearing out period.

Brief unit history: “The 1. Gebirgs-Division was formed on 9 April 1938 in Garmisch Partenkirchen from the Gebirgs Brigade which was itself formed on 1 June 1935. 1. Gebirgs Divison fought in the Invasion of Poland as a part of Heeres Gruppe Süd and distinguished itself in combat in the Carpathians. The division also took part in the Invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941. The division participated in Operation Barbarossa. Advancing the division continued into the Soviet Union, participating in the breakthrough of the Stalin Line and the advance to the Dnieper and Mius rivers. In May 1942, fought in the Second Battle of Kharkiv and then participated in the offensive Operation Edelweiss through southern Russia and into the Caucasus. Lead elements of the division sent a detachment to raise the German flag on Mont Elbrus on 21 August. After the Caucasus campaign, the division was posted to Yugoslavia, where it participated in the anti-partisan offensive named Case Black, and later to Greece where it took part in anti-partisan operations. In November 1943, the division returned to Yugoslavia, where it took part in operations Operation Kugelblitz, Schneesturm, and Waldrausch. In March 1944, the division was engaged in the Occupation of Hungary Operation Margarethe. After Operation Rübezahl in Yugoslavia in August 1944, the division took part in defensive fighting against the Red Army in the Belgrade Offensive and suffered severe losses. In late November, it was transferred to Baranja, the most endangered spot of the German defense. Throughout the division’s combat, the Gebirgs-Pioneer Bataillon 54 was at the forefront breaching the enemy’s lines, bridging obstructions, clearing minefields; generally making the way clear for the division’s mountain infantry.”

Tunic description: High quality, field-grey fine tricot construction tunic. The tunic features a eight field grey button front closure with dual metal hooks and eyes at the neck. The tunic features two pleated patch breast pockets and two pleated patch hip pockets. The tunic has a lay down, blue/green badge cloth collar with early high quality bullion collar tabs with black rayon branch of service rayon stripes. The collar tabs are machine sewn in place. Very nice officer breast eagle is neatly hand sewn above the right breast pocket. The tunic has sewn on feldwebel shoulder boards with embroidered unit number “54” in black and white threads. Award loops for one award and loops sewn for a 3-4 place ribbon bar. A gebirgsjäger EM/NCO’s edelweiss insignia is neatly hand sewn to the upper right sleeve. The edge of the front closure panel’s are fully trimmed in black wool branch color. The straight cut sleeves have deep, fold back French cuffs.

The interior of the tunic is fully lined in grey rayon with white striped sleeves. The original tailor label is machine sewn in place. Both internal belt hooks and straps are still in place. The tunic shows signs of real use with some age fading and light wear to all exposed parts. There is no holes, rips, mendings or larger stains. All insignias are without a doubt period applied to the tunic.

Scarce tunic in well preserved condition!!