Kgl. Bayer. 5. Infanterie-Regt.
Offizierstellvertreter Litewka
 
Eigetumsstück (private purchase) Litewka for an Offizierstellvertreter (Senior NCO acting in an officer appointment) from Kgl. Bayer. 5. Infanterie-Regt. Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen (Bamberg) II Bayer. Armee-Korps. The Litewka was a simple work tunic worn for normal daily duty in the garrison to preserve the Waffenrock.

This Litewka is made from a high quality dark blue ribbed wool to include the collar. The Litewka front is secured with five black horn buttons. Cuffs are plain and lack the slit opening and buttons that are found on issued Litewka.

What makes this Litewka so interesting, is that it is a hybrid of two patterns of Litewka. Like the Model 1896 Litewka it is dark blue with Waffenrock shoulder straps and NCO Tresse that runs along the top of the collar. However, the cut is that of the Model 1904 Litewka which was (by regulation) made from grey cloth and fitted with two hip pockets. On the Model 1904 Litewka the NCO Tresse was to run along the bottom of the collar.

Thirdly, the rank of Offizierstellvertreter was a war-time only rank, which means that this Litewka was worn only after Aug 1914 in the Bamberg garrison of Kgl. Bayer. 5. Infanterie-Regt. Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen.
 
 
A close up of the shoulder and collar showing the unique rank configuration for an Offizierstellvertreter (Senior NCO acting in an officer appointment) of gilt 19mm wide NCO tresse sewn to the shoulder straps as well as around the collar with 31mm Bayern (Bavaria) Senior NCO rank buttons on the collar below the Tresse. On Litewka, the collar was the same colour as the tunic, but carried a rectangular collar patch which was the colour of the collar on the Waffenrock. In this case, Infantry wore a red collar on the Waffenrock so the patch is red.
A close up of the collar showing the gold NCO Tresse (braid) and superb gilt 31mm Bayern (Bavaria) Senior NCO buttons.

The stand-and-fall collar is sewn together and stiffened to sit high and tight like a Waffenrock. On issued Litewka the collar had on a single hook and eye on the top of the collar and from there down the collar was open.

This Offizierstellvertreter, however, chose to have the collar close like a Waffenrock with three hooks and eyes all the way to the bottom.
A close up of a shoulder strap on this Litewka. 19mm wide NCO tresse sewn around the shoulder straps was unique to the rank of Offizierstellvertreter. Unlike all lesser ranks who wore red chainstitched numbers or cyphers, only the Offizierstellvertreter was authorised to wear gilt brass or silver numbers or cyphers (dependant upon the Regiment).

The buttons on both shoulder straps are plain flat which is the pattern worn by officers.
The back of the Litewka, showing the plain rear skirt and absence of belt ramps.