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. On November 12^TH 1934 the German army introduced the fully lined, heavy, Übermantel, (Surcoat/Overcoat), designed specifically for personnel on stationary service such as vehicle drivers, guards and sentries. The surcoat was designed large enough to fit over the standard greatcoat as required in extremely cold conditions. 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. Of Note: The winter garments including the greatcoats and surcoats were a standard issue item and were distributed to all EM/NCO’s for the winter season, (September 15^TH to April 15^TH), with other winter garments and were to be returned to the units storage depot at the end of the season for reissue the following year.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Heavy, slightly mottled, field-grey wool/rayon blend construction, full length, double breasted style surcoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six, front closure buttons with corresponding button eyelets on the left front panel, a single button eyelet on the right front panel and a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The left interior of the coat has a horizontal extended, field-grey wool tab with a single button designed for the single button eyelet on the right front closure panel. The surcoat has two, vertical slash, lower, front breast pockets and an additional two, horizontal slash, hip pockets with straight edged flaps. The surcoat has no breast eagle as per regulations. The straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves have deep fold back French cuffs which are tacked in the upright position at both the inner and outer sleeve seams. The reverse of the surcoat has a horizontal, ornamental, half waist belt with two retaining buttons at the waistline and 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 upper back panel has a central, opened reverse pleat. The surcoat had 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, 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 bottom tail skirt edge of the surcoat has four parallel, horizontal rows of reinforcement stitching. The shoulder strap fabric retaining loops and buttons are intact but the slip on shoulder straps have been removed. The surcoat has a large, lay down, field-grey, collar and an integral, unlined, mottled grey wool hood machine stitched to the nape of the neck. The reverse of the collar has the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching and a single button and a horizontally extended field-grey wool tab with a single button eyelet, under the left side with a single, corresponding, button under the right side for a secure neck closure in inclement weather. The collar has no collar tabs as regulations of June 1^ST 1942, abolished them for wear by enlisted ranks on the surcoat. The interior body of the surcoat is fully lined in heavy, mottled, grey wool with a greyish/tan rayon lining to the sleeves with an internal padding. The internal lining has a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast. The interior of the horizontal slash pocket is well marked with the faint, black inkstamped manufacturer’s name, location and date that appears to be, "Knagge & Pietz K.G. Wesserburg/Inn 43". The surcoat is in overall very good condition with light age and usage toning and light nap wear to the cuff and collar edges. The front closure, reverse half waist belt and shoulder strap buttons are the matte field-grey painted, stamped alloy type while the tail skirt vent and the reverse collar buttons are the molded black bakelite type and all the buttons appear to have their original stitching. The surcoat is roughly size 41" chest.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $539.00