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 1ST 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. Besides the appropriate shoulder board rank insignia greatcoats worn by personnel holding the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall were further distinguished from other ranks by, gilt washed buttons and bright red facing on the fold back lapels. Of Note: Regulations permitted personnel holding Generals ranks and personnel with neck decorations to wear the top two buttons of their greatcoats opened to display the lapel facings or the award, while other personnel were to wear the greatcoat with the top two buttons closed. 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. Although the different branches of service within the army were allocated a particular identifying waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), personnel holding Generals ranks were an exception in that they utilized bright red as an identifying color regardless of their actual branch of service.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very nice quality, private purchase, field-grey doeskin wool construction, double breasted style, full length, greatcoat with a lay down, blue/green badge cloth collar and fold back lapels with red badge cloth facings. The greatcoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six front closure buttons with corresponding button holes on both the left and right front panels, enabling the coat to be button either left or right handedly. The greatcoat also has a single, large metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline. The red badge cloth facing on the fold back lapels runs down to the waistline. The greatcoat has two, diagonally angled, slash, front, hip pockets with slightly angular flaps situated at the waistline. The straight cut sleeves have deep, fold back, French cuffs which are stitched 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 five button closure. The tail skirt vent runs from the half waist belt down to the bottom edge of the coat. Nice quality General shoulder boards are original stitching to the coat. The greatcoat has a lay down, blue/green badge cloth collar with the typical zig-zag reinforcement stitching to the reverse. Buttons all look to be original stitching. The greatcoat has no collar tabs as per regulations. The interior of the greatcoat is fully lined, including the sleeves, in grey/green rayon. Original name tag to the inside pocket. Maker marked to Holter’s in Berlin. Roughly a size 36" chest. Nice piece!