ss tunic looks ok?

[Scott A. Hess]

Notice how the "new" stiching goes over the "old" stitching. Reapplied in my opinion.

Robert

Not sure what you’re referring to when you say “the new stitch goes over the old stitching”, I’m going to assume that you mean the tabs stitching shown on the reverse of the collar. Since these tabs were sewn prewar in this exact fashion, (only the eagle would have been factory applied) that’s exactly how it should look if sewn pre-war, or post war.

[Scott A. Hess]

This does look resewn to me. Though sewn correctly, the eagle has edge damage that could not have occurred after it was sewn, and the chevron still has the puffiness between stitches and hasn't settled.

Still a nice and displayable tunic.

s/f Robert

Robert, where is the eagle damage you are referring to? Either way, I have come to realize even with in hand inspection it is often a tough call to determine when eagle was applied with ABSOLUTE certainty, placement upper and lower bobbin thread colors may help, but no real 100% indicator unless someone screws up and uses a repro eagle or a bizarre stitch.

[cossack1648]

If the eagle was lose for all that time and only recently applied on the tunic, it had time to develop some damage along its edge, like cuts or frying. That is the most exposed area during handling and it is first to get damaged.
Eagle that has been on the tunic since new has that area protected by the tunic as a backing and the stitch that attaches it to that tunic. Such eagles would show damage to the embroidery first.

Jack