Original Finnish Winter War / Continuation War Army Captain Summer Weight Tunic With Field Cap Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a fantastic pair of Finnish uniform items that are becoming harder to find in today’s market. The Finnish Army consisted of 9 field divisions, 4 brigades and a number of small independent battalions and companies at the beginning of the Winter War in 1939. The Army was organized into three corps. The II and III Corps were organized into the Army of the Isthmus which was located on the Karelian Isthmus, the likely location for the main Soviet attack. The IV Corps defended the area north of Lake Ladoga. The defense of the rest of the border up to Petsamo by the Arctic Ocean was given to the North Finland Group which consisted of a handful of independent battalions.

In order to organize replacements for the units a Field Replacement Brigade of nine battalions was formed. But due to the severity of the Soviet attack the battalions had to be used as combat troops. Also three Replacement Divisions or Home Replacement Divisions (1.Koti.TD – 3.Koti.TD) were formed from the available reservists. As the situation became more alarming the 1st and 3rd Replacement Divisions were reformed into the 21st and 23rd Divisions and sent to the front on 19 December. The 2nd Replacement Division was deployed as individual regiments to Northern Finland.

Finland ceded 9% of its territory via the Moscow Peace Treaty but prevented the Soviet Union from annexing Finland.

The tunic is in wonderful condition and is the standard Finnish gray light wool. The collar has 3 rank pips for the rank of Kapten (Captain). The right shoulder has a beautiful braided lanyard attached to a whistle that is located in the right breast pocket. The cap is in wonderful condition and is very similar to the German mountain troops cap with the fold down ear flaps buttoned in the up position on the front. 3

Approximate Measurements:

Collar to shoulder: 9.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 20.5″
Waist width: 19.5″
Hip width: 19.5”
Front length: 29.5″

A great set of items ready for further research and display.