Description
This is an identified pre WW I Fahnenjunker’s tunic from Königl. Sächs. 15. Infanterie-Regiment Nr 181. It was the next-to-last of the “old-line” Saxon Infanterie Regiments created before WW I’s big build up. The Regiment was raised in 1887. Bataillon Nr 1 and Bataillon Nr 2 were garrisoned at Chemnitz, while Bataillon Nr 3 was based at Glauchau. The Regiment was attached to the XIX. Armeekorps. The tunic is the prewar dunkel-blau (dark-blue) color used before feldgrau. Its body is made of fine, dark-blue wool. A single row of eight gilt-toned buttons goes down the center. Its collar is red, with matching red cuffs. A narrow line of red piping runs down the tunic’s center, parallel to the buttons. Each cuff boasts a further two gilt buttons. A small set of red, sewn-in, ribbon bar loops appears on its left breast. (Based on the loops’ width, the ribbon bar held one or two ribbons). The shoulder straps are dark-blue trimmed in red with the regimental number stitched in yellow. The shoulder straps are sewn-in, and sport a small gilt button with NO Kompagnie Number. The reverse vent flap is trimmed in red, with two gilt and two silver-toned buttons. Inside the tunic is a fine silk liner, which provides further evidence it was a privately-purchased tunic rather than depot-issued. It gets even better. Inside the pocket is a tailor’s label from a firm in Dresden. The soldier’s name was “Thüm,” and he acquired the tunic on 7 February 1914. The tunic’s exterior condition is very pleasing. I see only a single moth nip. The tunic has a lot of character. It is also a major plus to identify the tunic’s original owner. I hope Herr Thüm survived the war and was able to raise a family.
