Lot 4469

Description

Privately purchased item of field-grey gabardine with a dark green collar, field-grey buttons and a vent for the sidearm in the green silk lining. The tunic heavily worn with numerous repairs, modified to the late issue with open lapels. Silver-embroidered breast eagle and collar patches, slip-on epaulettes with appliquéd Danzig skulls and "Krim" shield on a dark fabric underlay. Affixed Iron Cross 1st Class, Wound Badge in Black and ASA (private screw disc attachment), stitched field orders clasps, orders loops e.g. for the German Cross in Gold. The yellow shield, printed in black, of the 4th Cavalry Division stitched on the right upper sleeve. The cuff title "Feldmarschall von Mackensen" of simple local production in black woven cloth with the inscription "Feldmarschall v. Mackensen" in light-coloured embroidery and borders on both sides. Evident signs of wear, in untouched, as-found condition. Extremely rare and possibly unique tunic, worn by a traditionally minded cavalry officer until the end, in the issue of the last weeks of the war. To mark the Field Marshal's 95th birthday on 6 December 1944, the re-established 5th Cavalry Regiment was awarded the cuff title and the traditional name of 5th Cavalry Regiment "Feldmarschall von Mackensen". The Danzig skulls were officially permitted from December 1944 and the sleeve shield was instituted in the last weeks of the war.

Condition: III + Questions about the lot?