Luftwaffe General’s Foul Weather Cape

Product Description: This Luftwaffe General’s Foul Weather Cape is an extremely impressive and extremely rare display object. It’s likely that very few of these survive. This is a high quality, private purchase piece. It’s a long cape, made of a rubberized fabric that remains very pliable. The light blue color shows no evident fading, and all of the plastic buttons appear to be original to the garment. The front closure features a wonderful example of the Luftwaffe General’s cape clasp, made of aluminum, with two gilt eagle head buttons connected by a short chain. The clasp is complete with no repairs or damage, and shows only light wear to the gilt finish. The side of the cape is adorned with an exquisite cape eagle. This eagle, which is itself a rare and desirable object, is beautifully hand embroidered in gold bullion, showing exquisite detail and the highest quality workmanship. The eagle is backed with typical Luftwaffe blue wool and is affixed to the cape with straight machine stitching. Some stitching traces inside the cape show that this eagle has been moved or replaced multiple times, possibly done during the period to allow the cape to be cleaned without damaging the insignia. There is one very small tear on the lower left skirt, and no other damage. There are no markings, as is typical for tailor made private purchase items like this. This General’s Foul Weather Cape is a lovely uniform item. The condition rates as excellent.

Historical Description: The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swastika.

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