This factory made, enlisted issue German Army overcoat is from 1938. This is a well-preserved example of a 1936 pattern overcoat. At the time this was made, overcoats had sewn in shoulder straps. The factory applied straps were replaced at some point, which is common; these coats were worn through the whole war and people were transferred or got rank promotions, and often these were converted for use with slip-on style straps.
This greatcoat is complete with a quilted cold weather liner. After the disastrous winter of 1941-42 on the Eastern Front, German war planners had to hastily design, manufacture and issue improved winter clothing for 1942-43 and beyond. It was not possible to issue every soldier with the new padded winter suit, and so a wide array of substitute and replacement garments was created, including even garments made of paper. This quilted liner is made of rayon. The fabric is pieced together, perhaps made using scraps or recycled from something else. It is a factory made issue item with a RB number maker code and size stamp.
