Original Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is a fantastic example of a scarce Imperial German WWI Prussian Officer’s M-1915 "Litewka" Field Tunic. The "Litewka" is a double breasted style of uniform tunic, the name of which apparently has origins of being "Lithuanian" style, and these are usually only seen as dress tunics. However, this is a rare FIELD bluse or tunic, intended for wear in battle and not during fancy dress parties. This is only the second example we have had, and they appear to be quite hard to come by.
As officers were required to provide their own uniforms, there is a great degree of variety with the details amongst surviving examples. It is made of a fine feldgrau (field gray) wool gabardine material, with a gray rayon faux silk collar. It features two waist pockets, which have flaps that can be placed inside the pockets if desired. Piped in red along the front edge, collar, and turnback cuffs, which at this point during German / Prussian history was for an Infantry soldier. The buttons on the front closure are all blank. The interior pocket of this example bears a nametag which is filled out, naming the uniform to a Leutnant with a last name we are unable to transcribe due to the old German script it uses. The nametag also dates the uniform 14.9.17, for September 14th, 1917. The maker of the uniform is Berger, Collani, & Co., Nacht, Carl Wolff of Straussburg.
The Tunic is fitted with button-attached & sewn-in Infantry Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant) shoulder boards, with two double rows of silver flatware "Russia braid" around the edge, which have black chevrons woven into them. The underlay is yellow, indicating a Foot Artillery regiment, in this case the 10th (1st Hannover) Field Artillery "von Scharnhorst". At the time (1915) German forces were changing the meaning of the colors on shoulder boards from Korps membership to the type of unit, which makes accurate identification quite difficult as units were shifted around during mobilization.
There is also an Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon sewn in under a button flap, so it sticks out of the hole. The collar of this example has two yellow tabs stitched on with buttons at their ends.
The uniform is in good condition, considering its age, and just how rare WWI Imperial German Feldgrau uniforms are. There is some mothing on the cuffs and the breast but otherwise it has survived well. The interior collar is heavily service-worn.
Imperial German Feldgrau uniforms are incredibly hard to find on the market today, both officer and enlisted. Aside from the attrition of clothing worn in the trenches, much was burned as a result of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and lice infestations. What survived was either worn out by veterans who repurposed their old uniforms as everyday clothing following the bleak years during the massive depression that raged throughout Germany, or, was simply repurposed or converted for use with the Reichswehr.
This is a gorgeous example of a well-named German officer’s wartime uniform, a truly exceptional piece. An excellent addition to a First World War collection!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 29”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14"
Chest width: 18”
Waist width: 20
Hip width: 22.5"
Front length: 35.5"
