DKiG Oberst Custom-Tailored Tunic

WW2 Artillerie Oberst Tunic with DKiG Loops - Custom Tailored by Duchen

An outstanding, high-quality WW2 German Army (Heer) officer's service tunic tailored for an Oberst der Artillerie. This exceptional piece was custom-made by the prestigious French tailor Duchen, likely commissioned while the officer was stationed or deployed during the German occupation of France. The interior pocket retains its original Duchen tailor label, featuring a striking British-style coat of arms. Prior to the war, elite French tailors frequently adopted an English aesthetic and British heraldry on their labels to signal adherence to the world-renowned tailoring standards of Savile Row, catering to an international clientele. During the occupation, high-ranking German officers frequently sought out these exact premium establishments to craft bespoke uniforms that far surpassed the standard issue or German Kleiderkasse quality.

The elite craftsmanship is evident in the subtle tailored details; the ribbon bar loops above the left breast pocket are intentionally angled slightly upward toward the center closure. This masterful optical correction ensures that when the tunic is fully buttoned and under tension on the body, the ribbon bar sits perfectly horizontal and level. The tunic is made from an incredibly soft, premium-grade field-grey wool that has a luxurious, sheared feel. It features a beautiful dark green collar and a clean, high-grade lining in excellent, lightly worn condition. All insignia are of top-tier quality and strictly period-mounted, including hand-embroidered silver bullion collar tabs with bright red Waffenfarbe and a stunning bullion breast eagle, which is slightly loose at the top of the wings but otherwise firmly in place. The sew-in shoulder boards bear the rank pips for an Oberst against a distinct red artillery backing. All buttons are neatly marked by the maker Assmann and retain their original finish, complemented by a subtle, tailor-installed snap button beneath the main row for a flawless fit. Highly decorated, the tunic presents seven award loops on the left breast and three carefully placed loops on the right breast for a German Cross in Gold (DKiG); the tailor specifically added a third loop to securely support the weight of this heavy award. The label is hand-named to a Major with a distinctive signature that remains a fantastic candidate for further archival research. A truly premier, untouched example with immense historical and research potential.