Third Reich NSDAP Nazi Party Kreis Level Hauptstellenleiter Tunic with Cloth Gold Party Badge

The golden brown tunic shows some spots and signs of wear but it is without distracting stains or holes. The collar and collar tabs are piped in black for the Kreis level of the Nazi Party. The tabs are the third pattern style which were in use from 1934 to 1939 and they reflect the rank of Hauptstellenleiter, or a Main Department Leader, at the Kreis level of the party. The left sleeve bears a wool party armband of multi piece construction with the ends sewn together and with the upper and lower edges sewn to the sleeve. The buttons are the gilt style with political eagle in relief. There is a very small seam separation in the front right collar seam that is not noticeable and could be easily repaired with a stitch or two. On the left breast of the uniform is a World War I black Wound Badge which is pinned through the fabric of the jacket. Another pair of holes appears to the side of the wound badge where another decoration must have been located at one time. On the center pleat of the upper left breast pocket is a Gold Nazi Party Member Badge in embroidered cloth. The badge design is a variant of the standard Gold Party Badge in that it bears the embroidered date of “1924” at the bottom of the design. The Gold Party Badge was instituted by Hitler in 1933, and it was to be awarded to those members of the party who had held uninterrupted membership since 1925, and/or who held a Party membership number of 100,000 or lower. The owner of this tunic obviously had the design of the cloth version of the Gold Party Badge modified to incorporate the date of “1924” which was no doubt the year that he had joined the Party. He clearly wanted to make it clear that is membership in the Party pre-dated even the earliest year for qualifying to receive that very significant badge. The interior lining of the tunic shows signs of wear and age but it is intact and without holes. One exterior gilt button is missing from the lower right pocket flap. Overall very good condition.