Original Item: Only One Available. Brown was to become the official color of the N.S.D.A.P. and S.A. by circumstance rather than design. A large stockpile of discounted, surplus WWI tropical brown shirts and fabric, intended for wear in East Africa, were located in Austria in 1924 and purchased by the NSDAP as a temporary measure to bring uniformity of dress to their party members. In November of 1926 the brown shirt was officially introduced, and retained, as the basic uniform item for the N.S.D.A.P. and S.A., and was eventually adopted by other political organizations such as the H.J., D.A.F., and the N.S.K.K..

This is an excellent condition German WWII Brown Wool Mantel, usually called a greatcoat or overcoat, as used by the NSDAP. It is constructed with an outer shell of heavy brown wool, and is definitely intended for the colder time of year. The interior is lined on the top with brown twill fabric, with what looks to be black brushed cotton in the sleeves. The collar is of a much brighter near-orange color. The double breasted front closure features 5 pebbled NSDAP buttons on each side, all of which look to have RZM maker codes on the back. These are sewn directly to the fabric, and do show some pulling and deterioration of the stitching holding them in place. There is one spare button sitting in the interior pocket.

The inner left breast pocket still bears its original fabric RZM tag, which is also in great shape. The tag identifies the overcoat as an PL.-MANTEL W, and features the NSDAP logo on the left as well as the RZM logo on the right. The tag is not marked with an ink stamped numerical designation of the Hersteller (manufacturer), but there is a lot number, 010852. This example appears to have been intended for wear by members of the NSDAP, instead of both the NSDAP and SA.

There is a good amount of scattered mothing on the greatcoat, especially on the back where there is heavy damage to the back left shoulder area and the bottom. This damage is in many places but the greatcoat still displays well.

This is a great example of a genuine WWII NSDAP brown wool greatcoat and would display fantastically.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 20.5”
Waist width: 22.5"
Hip width: 34”
Front length: 45.5"

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.