Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic German WWII Heer Panzer Reserve Officers great coat or overcoat, constructed with an outer shell of heavy feldgrau (field gray) wool. The rear of the collar bears a rayon maker label, which is somewhat frayed but still completely legible:

L. KIELLEUTHNER
KGL. BAYR. HOFLIEFERANT
(Logo)
MÜNICH
MAXIMILIANSTR. 43.

There is also a tailor tag on the inside of the left pocket for the same maker, and it looks to have a name on it, which we are not able to read. There is also a of 10. 9. 1936 handwritten on the tag, so this is definitely a very early example. The interior of the jacket is lined with lovely blue gray rayon, and is in very good condition, showing no tears or major wear. The great coat matches very well with the M36 pattern, with a dark green "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. These are all marked EXTRA FEIN, and look to be of brass construction with pebbled aluminum top caps.

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 rank "pips" installed, indicating the officer rank of Hauptmann (Captain). They each have rose-pink (rosa) piping under the Russia braid, the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for the Panzertruppen (Armored Forces), as well as Kraftfahrkampftruppe - Kraftfahrtruppen (Motor Vehicle Combat Troops). Under this is a gray secondary color base, which indicates that the officer was in the reserves.

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 Panzer Reserve Officer's wool greatcoat and would display fantastically.

Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 20"
Waist width: 22"
Hip width: 32”
Front length: 54"

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.