WW1 German overcoat (greatcoat)

[NickG]

This is a single breasted German WW1 greatcoat that was modified for WW2
use the seller states. It obviously has WW2 style pebbled German buttons...

What else was converted?

[NickG]

The back...

[NickG]

Inside liner....

Would it be easy to make it WW1 again? Just the buttons switched?

[NickG]

Sleeves...Anything modified here? Would it have French cuffs or OK like this?

[pauke]

markings

Any markings even faint ones to be seen?

[NickG]

No seller has not posted any marking so none visible I assume...Is it in style still a good WW1 overcoat (but with WW2 buttons or are there other modifications?

[Grausig13]

Without markings, even if it is a WWI cut, I think it makes more sense to leave this as is. Weimar era? Some other use? Don't go "restoring" this without a lot more research. I don't like the idea of reversing this without the cuffs present, markings, or better references for the interwar period.

[phild]

Interesting OC. I think it is WWI and from late 1914-early 1915.....sort of a transition between the pre-war OC and the universal 1915 OC. Notice that there is no inverted pleat in the back......that was added in 1915. half lining and that type of material is more like the 1915 universal pattern, but the collar size and lack of facing cloth (unless Bavarian) is earlier. I can not say anything about the lack of turnback cuffs unless I saw it.

[NickG]

Interesting OC. I think it is WWI and from late 1914-early 1915.....sort of a transition between the pre-war OC and the universal 1915 OC. Notice that there is no inverted pleat in the back......that was added in 1915. half lining and that type of material is more like the 1915 universal pattern, but the collar size and lack of facing cloth (unless Bavarian) is earlier. I can not say anything about the lack of turnback cuffs unless I saw it.

Here is one with no turnback French cuffs...so removed as it states or perhaps a later simplified (economy)
war time pattern? (simplified production measure?)

Compare!

http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Imper...s/G003476.html

[mchap]

The lack of cuffs could be a wartime modification or, most likely post war. I've never read or heard of it being a simplified manufacturing measure.

I was told mud would get into the cuffs, and if you've ever worked with long sleeves... the cuffs tend to take a real beating.

[NickG]

The lack of cuffs could be a wartime modification or, most likely post war. I've never read or heard of it being a simplified manufacturing measure.

I was told mud would get into the cuffs, and if you've ever worked with long sleeves... the cuffs tend to take a real beating.

Makes sense! Especially with static (trench) war fair! period modified, worn out, or removed later (to worn out/damaged) ...Who knows?

[mchap]

Quite a few post WW1 photos exist of great coats modified for civilian/paramilitary/FK use. If you look at Freikorps era photos enough you'll see what Im typing about, especially during the Polish uprisings where a mix of military and civilian clothing is common place.

Value for modified OC's can vary widely. There is a modified WW1 OC on estand but the buttons are front buttons are visible, and no upturned cuffs. If it was maybe half the price I'd consider it for a Freikorps/Einwohnenwehr display... but beyond that, there isnt much collector value.

[Chip M]

The 1908 pattern overcoat did not have cuffs on the sleeve. It was not lined. The 1915 so-called Ersatzmantel, was just the M1908 with a succession of changes that were authorized from January until the Fall of 1915 when the new universal Einheitsmantel was approved.

These simplified M1908 coats were only made in 1915. Every one I have ever seen was dated 1915 (including mine). Some of the changes were, the addition of a white lining (and then a gray lining inside the sleeves), the addition of shoulder straps made from the same gray material of the overcoat (which were sewn to the shoulder seam), the dropping of the Kragenpatten, etc.

Regarding this specific coat, it looks to be this simplified style. It would have been nice to see (at least) some size marks. In the absence of a date in the coat and my not knowing what happened with overcoats after WWI, there is nothing more I can add.

Chip

[NickG]

Thanks guys! Well based on this input I decided to buy it for 250 euro + postage.
Not bad...I will probably fix it with proper ww1 buttons. Will see ones it comes in...

[NickG]

The coat now came in. All the WW2 pebbled Heer buttons were added amateurishly with black thread...and now removed.
Replaced with WW1 Imperial crown buttons.