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. Beginning in 1935 Kriegsmarine land based personnel, primarily Coastal Artillery units, were issued field-grey uniforms, including greatcoats, that followed the fundamental designs of the army uniforms with minor variations. 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. Of Note: Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms and headgear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Circa mid-1940 pattern, slightly mottled, field-grey wool construction, double breasted style, full length, greatcoat with a lay down, field-grey wool collar. The greatcoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six, front closure buttons with corresponding button holes on the right front panel and a single button hole on the left front panel positioned at the waistline. The greatcoat also has a single, large, metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The greatcoat has two, diagonally angled, slash, front, hip pockets with slightly curved flaps situated at the waistline. The straight cut 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 greatcoat has a horizontal, ornamental, half waist belt with dual retaining buttons positioned 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 greatcoat 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 the later, pattern, pointed tipped, field-grey wool construction, slip on shoulder straps with machine embroidered, crossed anchors in golden yellow cotton threads indicating coastal artillery personnel. The bottoms of the straps and the slip on retaining tongues are also in field-grey wool and have a narrow, ribbed greyish/tan cotton twill reinforcement panel machine stitched in place. Both of the slip on tongues have an unknown purple numerical inkstamp, "3". The shoulder straps fabric retaining loops and buttons are intact. The greatcoat has a large, lay down, field-grey wool collar with the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. The collar has dual buttons and an extended, dual 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 with ribbed greyish/tan cotton twill to the upper panels and the sleeves. The lining has a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast and four, small, evenly spaced, vertical slashes situated at the waistline, designed for belt support hooks. Two of belt support hook vertical slashes are reinforced with small, vertically rectangular, tan leather panels. The lower right breast lining is well marked with black inkstamped manufacturer’s name and location, "Spiessholer & Braun Heubach/Württ.". The lining also has an additional, faint, black size inkstamp at the nape of the neck. The greatcoat is in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning and light chafe wear to the cuff and collar edges. The front closure, reverse half waist belt, and the shoulder strap buttons are the correct, matte olive drab painted, stamped alloy, buttons with an embossed fouled anchor on a pebbled background field. The tail skirt vent and the reverse collar buttons are the molded grey bakelite type and most of the buttons appear to have their original stitching. The greatcoat is quite large and is roughly a size 44" chest.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $465.00