Simon Lannoy

Email: lannoysimon1@gmail.com
Web site: https://www.themilitariadealers.com/

Luftwaffe Pilot Fliegerbluse. Mid 1940

SOLD

Code: 56010



A good service used example of a Luftwaffe Fliegerbluse to a pilot Unterfeldwebel.

Constructed in the typical blue/grey basic cloth the blouse is closed at the front by five buttons, the upper most button being correctly smaller than the others. Below the left laydown collar is a cloth strap used to hold the collar closed when worn in the up position, the corresponding buttons on the right collar now missing. A single hook and eye closes the neck.

There are two flapped hip pockets (added to these blouses by order in May 1940) the flaps closed by a single grey pebbled button. On the right breast is a machine embroidered second pattern eagle, clearly re applied, the outline of a previously worn eagle visible above it. On the left lower breast is a machine embroidered pilot’s badge.

A slip on shoulder strap sits on each shoulder secured by a single grey pebbled button, the borders trimmed with a silver Tresse and the yellow waffenfarbe of the flying branch, repeated in the colour of the collar tabs which bear the two metal gulls of his rank. The entire lay down collar is edged with silver Tresse.

Each cuff allows for closure via an inside strap and a single external button, both internal stowage buttons having been pulled through at some and nicely repaired.

Inside, the the part lining is a grey cotton drill. Each hip pocket has the lower part of the pocket repaired with a panel taken from herringbone twill jacket or trousers. There is a dressings pocket ,two breast pockets and a waist cord for adjustment.

The left inside breast pocket carries the remains of the stores stamps and although the breast size is not clear I believe this about a 38” chest.

Although no date can be seen I feel confident the blouse dates from mid 1940 since although the flapped pockets were introduced then, the waist cord was discontinued at about the sale time.

The overall appearance is very good and in my view this Blouse had a long service life, perhaps with a POW. The pile to the cloth has become smooth but apart from the repairs to the cuff narrowing buttons I can only find two other nicely effected repairs, one between the first and second buttons where a small piece of cloth has been inserted with backing cloth visible on the inside, the second between the last button and the pocket flap on the right. In both cases, neither is apparent from the outside.

A Fliegerbluse full of service worn character dating in my view from the Battle of Britain period.