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 Reichsheer 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. 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: Coarse, heavy, later pattern, (Circa 1942-1945), field-grey wool/rayon blend construction, double breasted style, full length, greatcoat with a large, field-grey, lay down collar. The greatcoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six front closure buttons with corresponding button holes on the left front panel, and a single button hole on the right front panel with a corresponding button to the left interior. The greatcoat also has a single, large, metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The greatcoat has two, slightly diagonally angled, slash, front, hip pockets with slightly angular flaps situated at the waistline. The straight cut sleeves have deep, fold back, French cuffs. The upper left sleeve appears to have the faint outline of a SS eagle. The reverse of the greatcoat has a central, vertical tail skirt vent with a four button closure. The tail skirt vent runs from the half waist belt down to the bottom edge of the coat. The reverse of the greatcoat has had the standard, horizontal, ornamental, half waist belt removed. The reverse panels have two, small, evenly spaced, vertical slashes designed for the belt support hooks but they have been crudely, handstitched closed and the belt support hooks are absent. Interestingly the greatcoat still has 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 dual, corresponding, horizontal 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. The greatcoat has no shoulder straps and has had the shoulder strap fabric retaining loops and buttons removed. The greatcoat has a very large, field-grey, lay down collar with the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. The collar has a single button and an extended, button holed, field-grey wool tab under the left side and a single, corresponding, button under the right side for a secure neck closure in inclement weather. The greatcoat has no collar tabs as per regulations. The interior of the greatcoat is partially lined in tan rayon. The greatcoat appears to have had a sleeve lining removed. The lining has a single large button to the left waistline, a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast and is well marked with black inkstamped size markings and an RB number. Of Note: The RB numbers, Reichsbetriebnummer, (National factory code numbers), were introduced in late 1942 and were intended to replace the manufacturers marks on garments and equipment to conceal the manufactures name and location from the allies, to prevent bombing raids on German industrial factories. The greatcoat shows moderate to heavy nap wear through-out, numerous small rips and teas and a crudely handstitched repair to the reverse left shoulder. The front closure buttons are the pebbled, field-grey painted, alloy type while the tail skirt vent, under the collar and the single interior buttons are a combination of the molded grey bakelite, green glass and sheet metal types. The pebbled alloy buttons retain various amounts of their field-grey paint and all but a couple of the buttons appear to have their original stitching. The greatcoat is roughly size 42" chest.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $645.00