Original Item: Only One Available. The Ordnungspolizei, abbreviated Orpo, meaning "Order Police", were the uniformed police force in NSDAP Germany from 1936 to 1945. The Orpo organization was absorbed into the NSDAP monopoly on power after regional police jurisdiction was removed in favor of the central government ("Reich-ification", Verreichlichung, of the police). The Orpo was controlled, nominally by the Interior Ministry but its executive functions rested with the leadership of the SS until the end of World War II. Owing to their green uniforms, Orpo were also referred to as Grüne Polizei (green police). The force was first established as a centralized organization uniting the municipal, city, and rural uniformed police that had been organized on a state-by-state basis. Eventually the Police were divided into eight assorted branches of service, with each branch having a distinguishing truppenfarbe, (Branch of service color) that was displayed on the uniforms including the piping on the visor caps.

The Schutzpolizei des Reiches or the Schupo was the state (Reich) protection police of NSDAP Germany and a branch of the Ordnungspolizei. Schutzpolizei is the German name for a uniformed police force. The Schutzpolizei des Reiches was the uniformed police of most cities and large towns. State police departments were in charge of protection police, criminal investigation divisions (Kripo, short for Kriminalpolizei), and administrative police. The state protection police comprised a patrol branch, barracked police, traffic police, water police, mounted police, police communications units, and police aviation. Policemen had to have previous military service, good physical and mental health, be of Aryan descent, be members of the NSDAP and also members of the SS. Policemen were promoted according to a regulated career system. Promotion for officers was determined by merit and seniority. Pay for policemen was higher than the average industrial worker and was more in line with the average privately employed white-collar worker.

The German Police had no enlisted ranks, with the lowest rank being an Unterwachtmeister (Junior Watch Master), which was equivalent to the German army rank of Unteroffizier. The highest NCO rank was that of the Meister (Master), or Warrant Officer, which did not have an armed forces equivalent, but was higher than an army Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant).

This is a lovely example of a rare Schutzpolizei Protection Police Hauptwachtmeister NCO's M-36 greatcoat, made of fine quality police-green "doeskin" style weave wool. In form these tunics are more or less identical to the Army Heer greatcoat except for the colors and material used. They may also have some additional ornamentation when compared to the standard Army issue. These were preferred during the cold months, and have an unmistakable silhouette.

The interior of the great coat is lined on the top with charcoal gray wool, and is in very good used condition. There is slash pocket on the inner left chest, which is stamped on the inside by maker LAGO / WEIMAR and has the size information as well, over a date of 42, indicating 1942 manufacture. The great coat matches very well with the M36 pattern, with a police chocolate brown "badge cloth" lay down collar and long cuffs at the end of the sleeves. The collar itself features Hellgrün (light green) piping around the edge, the Truppenfarbe (Troop Color) of the Schutzpolizei.

The front features the correct "double breasted" 12 button front closure, featuring 6 buttons on each side, which are sewn directly to the fabric of the coat. These are all maker marked on the back, and look to be of steel construction with pebbled aluminum top caps. There are diagonal slash pockets on either side at the waist, which have top flaps that can be worn both in and out of the pockets. The rear bottom of the coat has the usual button closure, which would be used depending on the situation. In this case it originally had 4 buttons, but two are missing.

The “sew-in” style NCO schulterklappen (shoulder boards) of this tunic are bordered with a single row of of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping around the edge, with police chocolate brown chevrons woven into the design. Inside this is a row of brown double piping, and they have the correct light green wool base material and piping around the edges for the Schutzpolizei. There are two rank "pips" attached to the straps, and they have silver straps at the end, which we believe indicates the rank of Hauptwachtmeister (Head Watch Master), equivalent in rank to an SS-Hauptscharführer or U.S. Army Master Sergeant.

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. There is some wear in areas where the fuzzy "nap" of the fabric is missing, but nothing out of line considering the age of the greatcoat.

This is a lovely example of a genuine German WWII Protection police NCO's wool greatcoat and would display fantastically.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 20”
Waist: 20"
Front length: 53"

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.