Original German WWII Luftwaffe Wool Greatcoat - Black - M

This is a lovely WWII manufactured Luftwaffe greatcoat for a Luftwaffe Enlisted Man or Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).

It is constructed of Luftwaffe fliegerblau (flyer's blue) wool with a lightweight canvas lining in the same color.

It features two flap covered waist pockets and the classic double-breasted front closure, with 5 buttons on each side. All of the buttons are non-magnetic, and made from zinc alloy. 

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.