Third Reich at Ratisbon’s

Lots of German militaria at Ratisbon’s 49th Contemporary Auction. Let’s get things started with a Luftwaffe fighter pilot’s winter flight jacket. This pattern was mainly issued to fighter pilots towards the end of the war and is therefore also known as a Reichsverteidigung pattern since air combat mainly happened over German ground at this time. Both sleeve zippers were fully working and the metal was marked ‘ZIPP DRP’. It sold for £1,256.85 (includes Buyer’s Premium of 22.5%).

To go with a jacket you really need some leather flight trousers and here’s a pair for aircrews, including pilots. These type of trousers existed as a rather heavy winter pattern with fur lining and as a lightweight type in tan and blue colours. This is a late-war type from leather in a Reichsverteidigung pattern. There were metal zippers to the legs, the front and the left side, one of the leg zippers reattached. Both working. There have been some repairs though, with leg pockets, holster and cables having been removed but which were, however, stored inside. Included a rare cord for the paratrooper knife. There was a period time applied factory tag, size marked and 1944-dated. They were sold after the auction.

Still with the Luftwaffe, a fighter pilot’s oxygen mask. This was a rare mask with its original elastic band as well as the static band to the top still attached. These bands were used to connect the mask to the leather flight helmet. It had ‘G1 T1 F8’ numbered to the inside, ‘byd’ maker-marked and ‘10-6702’ as well as ‘A-1’ and ‘Gr.1 marked to the outside. The rubber mask came with an original soft leather cover. This sold for £980.16.

On to the Heer next and a field tunic for a Major serving with Inf.Rgt.69. This was a privately purchased officer's field tunic, designed like an M36 field tunic, with a dark green collar and vertical bars to all pockets. It was worn by a Major serving with InfanterieRegiment 69.

The breast eagle was a handembroidered officer's pattern, attached by hand. The collar tabs were white piped officer's tabs, period time-attached by machine. Original loops for awards as well as an Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon. It sold for £1,267.88.

Mind you, if you want a tunic with that’s really going to grab the attention, there was a black Heer Panzer field jacket. A rare early first pattern example made in 1935.

The collar tabs came with pink cotton piping and aluminium skulls with matching patina and condition. Period time attached by machine. There was pink cotton collar piping around the collar as correct for a 1st pattern jacket. The shoulder boards were black with pink cotton piping and Oberfeldwebel, Panzer Regiment 3 ciphers. The lot also came with an unmarked zinc Tank Assault Badge in silver and a Wound Badge in black. They sold for £7,547.23.

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