Original German WWII Heer Infantry Hauptmann Officer’s Wool Greatcoat – 110th Infantry Regiment Original Items

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) 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 no tears or major wear. 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. The front features the correct 12 button front closure, featuring 6 buttons on each side, which were originally painted green. These are all marked EXTRA FEIN, and look to be of steel construction with pebbled aluminum top caps. The paint is still partly retained on the tops, with the rest worn showing the alumimum.

The “sew-in” style company grade officers schulterklappen (shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware “Russia Braid” double piping and each has two gold rank “pips” installed, indicating the officer rank of Hauptmann (Captain). They each have Weiß (white) piping under the Russia braid, the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the infantry and motorized infantry. They also each bear gold 110 Unit numbers, almost certainly for the 110th Infantry Division. Definitely some great research potential here!

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:
Collar to shoulder: 11″
Shoulder to sleeve: 26.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 21″
Waist width: 21″
Hip width: 29″
Front length: 52″

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.