Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare original WW2 Japanese Army M-38 officer tunic for a Warrant Officer. The tunic is in excellent condition. High quality construction, wool shell and lining with polished buttons which retain much of their original finish. Features Warrant Officer 准尉 (Jun'i) collar tabs with gold bullion trim in beautiful condition. Overall excellent condition with minor stains to the lining, a small tear in the lining and very minimal moth damage.
 
This is a wonderful example and comes ready to display!
 
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 8”
Shoulder to sleeve: 21”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 15”
Waist width: 17”
Hip width: 20”
Front length: 26"
 
The Imperial Japanese Army was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor of Japan as supreme commander of the army and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Later an Inspectorate General of Aviation became the third agency with oversight of the army. During wartime or national emergencies, the nominal command functions of the emperor would be centralized in an Imperial General Headquarters (IGHQ), an ad hoc body consisting of the chief and vice chief of the Army General Staff, the Minister of the Army, the chief and vice chief of the Naval General Staff, the Inspector General of Aviation, and the Inspector General of Military Training.
 
Every infantry company had a warrant officer. 'chutaitsuki Jyun-i(中隊附准尉,warrant officer attached to a company)' In battlefield his position was shikihancho (指揮班長,chief of commanding section) supporting company leader. In the peace he dealt with promotions and appointments of soldiers, and supervised all aspects of soldier life. Warrant officers also served in HQs for administrative jobs, and also in the war they might be appointed in companies as a platoon leader.