Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic German WWII Heer Infantry Officers great coat or overcoat, constructed with an outer shell of heavy feldgrau (field gray) "doe skin" weave wool. These were preferred during the cold months, and have an unmistakable silhouette. The interior of the great coat is lined with lovely blue gray rayon, and is in very good condition, showing some light wear and a few tears on the interior. We checked all the pockets and usual spots, however we were not able to locate any maker information for the coat, which is almost certainly bespoke.
The great coat matches very well with the M36 pattern, with a dark bottle-green (flaschengrün) "badge cloth" lay down collar and long cuffs at the end of the sleeves. It features two flap covered waist pockets and the classic double-breasted front closure, with 5 buttons on each side. These are all marked EXTRA FEIN on the brass backs, and are magnetic, so possibly the tops are nickel plated steel. They all show a lovely oxidized nickel patina now.
The “sew-in” style Stabsoffizier schulterklappen (Field-grade Officer shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping, which are plaited together to form a loop around the buttonhole. There are no rank "pips", indicating the rank of Major, a rank equivalent to a Major in the U.S. Army. They each have Weiß (white) piping under the Russia braid, the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the infantry and motorized infantry.
Condition is very good considering the age, with the colors retained very well, and no major damage, just the usual light staining and wear from service. The shoulder boards have some lovely period wear and staining, and definitely look to be original to the coat.
This is a great example of a genuine named German WWII Infantry Officer's wool greatcoat and would display fantastically.
Approximate Measurements:
Following the invasion of the Soviet Union the Greatcoat was found to be insufficient for the Russian winter and they were replaced by more effective clothing.
Overcoats in various forms have been used by militaries since at least the late 18th century, and were especially associated with winter campaigns, such as Napoleon's Russian campaign. The full-length overcoat was once again popularized by the use during World War I of the trench coat.
Stereotypically, overcoats used by the army tended to be single-breasted, while navies often used double-breasted overcoats. Overcoats continued to be used as battle dress until the mid-1940s and 1950s, when they were deemed impractical. However, in colder countries, such as the former Soviet Union, they continue to be issued and used. When more efficient clothing and synthetic fibers became readily available, the overcoat began to be phased out even there.
