BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. Included with the assorted garments utilized by the Kriegsmarine were a wide variety of protective leather, oilcloth and rubberized fabric foul weather garments and headgear. The protective foul weather clothing and headgear were components of a ships on-board clothing stores and were issued to watch and deck personnel on an "as need" basis during inclement weather. Manufacture and distribution of the foul weather garments was decentralized resulting in numerous assorted models being utilized. The foul weather garments were to be worn over the standard uniform and as a result were generally cut quite large.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The black rubberized, canvas, three-quarter length jacket with glued seams, features a vertical, five "stud", button front closure and a grey canvas, lay down collar. The front closure has an underlying wind flap and the "stud" buttons are the removable, molded black bakelite type with a circular base, a central shank and a conical head. The corresponding "stud" button eyelets are on both side of the vertical front closure enabling the wearer to placer the buttons on either side as desired. The jacket has no exterior pockets. The straight cut, non-adjustable sleeves have dual-ply cuffs. The armpits each have three, small, punched, ventilation eyelets. The lay down collar has a black rubberized reverse and a grey canvas obverse. The unlined grey canvas interior has a single patch pocket with a single, molded black bakelite, button closure to the lower left, front tail skirt. The interior nape of the neck has a small white fabric label with partially legible, green printed script that appears to include, "Kunststoffverarbeitung", (Synthetic Manufacturing). The interior also has three additional, black inkstamped numeral sequences. The jacket is in overall very good condition with light to moderate age and usage toning and some minor chafe wear. The jacket is roughly size 42" chest.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $410.00