BACKGROUND: The greatcoat was an essential uniform item worn by all ranks, with minor variations, and followed the basic design of the Imperial German army’s greatcoat. During WWII the German army utilized at least thirteen different styles of greatcoats with numerous variations and intended purposes. The standard issue greatcoat produced during the Weimar, (Circa 1919-1933), Reichswehr, (National Defence Force), era utilized a field-grey collar that was altered to a blue/green badge cloth collar circa 1935. During the war the standard issue greatcoat underwent a few minor modifications. The early production greatcoats came with button holes on both the left and right front closure panels which allowed the coat to be button up either left or right handedly but regulations of December 1^ST 1939 abolished all but one of the button holes on the right side of the closure panel. Early production greatcoats also came with small metal hooks positioned at both sides of the bottom front closure panels, and additional small metal hooks positioned at both sides of the reverse tail skirt vent with corresponding thread loops situated at the side seams just below the waistline. The metal hooks and thread loops allowed the wearer to hook the tail skirt up out of the way when mounted or on the march. Regulations of 1940 abolished these metal hooks and thread loops and also reverted the collar back to a field-grey fabric. Of Note: Both of the above regulations were not strictly adhered to. Of the assorted greatcoats Officers and Officials with officer’s ranks/position were entitled to wear a leather version of the standard greatcoat as a privately purchased, optional item. Regulations dictated that the only insignia to be worn on the leather greatcoats were to be slip on shoulder boards. Although regulations dictated that the privately purchased leather greatcoats were to conform to the style and cut of the standard issue greatcoats numerous subtle and not so subtle variations were utilized. Due to leather shortages manufacture of the leather greatcoats was discontinued by regulations on February 29^TH 1944 although they continued to be worn for the duration of the war. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, heavy, private purchase, multi-panel, grey leather construction, double breasted style, full length, greatcoat with fold back lapels and a large, lay down collar. The greatcoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six, front closure buttons with corresponding button eyelets on the left, front, panel and the fold back lapel. Interestingly the right front closure panel has simulated, stitched button eyelets but they were never cut open. The greatcoat also has a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The greatcoat has two, diagonally angled, slash, front, hip pockets with slightly angular flaps situated at the waistline. The straight cut, non-adjustable, sleeves have deep, fold back French cuffs. The right French cuff is stitched closed all along it’s upper edge while the left French cuff is opened on the top edge to the obverse. The reverse of the greatcoat has a horizontal, half-waist belt with dual, retaining buttons at the waistline and two evenly spaced, vertical belt loops which secure a separate, grey leather, waist belt with a grey leather covered, rectangular, sliding, sheet metal buckle. The reverse of the greatcoat also has a central, vertical, tail skirt vent with a two button closure. The tail skirt vent runs from the half waist belt down to the bottom edge of the coat. The greatcoat has no fabric, shoulder board retaining loops or buttons or any evidence that they were ever applied. The greatcoat has a large, lay down, leather collar with exaggerated, pointed, tips. The reverse of the left collar has an extended, grey leather tab with dual, female metal snaps with a single, corresponding, male snap on the reverse of the right side of the collar for a secure neck closure in inclement weather. The greatcoat has no collar tabs as per regulations. The interior of the greatcoat is fully lined in ribbed, grey and tan rayon with a black rayon sleeve lining. The lining has a leather reinforced, horizontal, slash pocket to both the left and right breast panels and a vertical slash pocket to the forward right, tail skirt, situated just below the waistline with an alloy zipper closure. The zipper pull tab is absent but the zipper still functions. The lining also has a small, leather reinforced, diagonally angled, slash to the reverse of the left hip pocket and a vertically extended grey rayon strap with a nickel/silver plated, steel friction clip, both designed for the sword/dagger hangers. The lower, front, tail skirt has a horizontal leather strap with a sliding, sheet metal snap and a small, vertical leather loop, to each side designed to wrap around the wearer’s legs to keep the tail skirt out of the way. The interior edge of the front closure panels, the tail skirt vent and the nape of the neck have twenty-six, evenly spaced, male and female snaps and an additional six, evenly spaced molded black and tan bakelite buttons and dual leather secured steel "D" rings, indicating the greatcoat had been outfitted with a heavier, removable, lining for wear in cold weather. The removable lining is absent. The lining has a brown rayon tailor’s label with the golden yellow, machine woven tailor’s name and location, "Lederbekleidung Tschacke & Co. Dresden-A". the tailor’s lapel is machine stitched to the nape of the neck. The greatcoat is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and areas of light to heavy chafe wear revealing spots of the natural tan of the leather. All the exterior buttons are the molded black bakelite type, and most appear to have their original stitching. The interior bakelite buttons also appear to have their original stitching. The greatcoat is roughly size 40" chest.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $882.00