Germany, Third Reich. A Border Protection Zollassistent’s Transitional Joppe

(Joppe für Zollassistent der Zollschutz). An interesting and well-preserved Zollschutz (Border Protection) Zollassistent’s transitional Joppe (service jacket), constructed of a dark green wool cloth with a whipcord weave. It features a turned-down collar flanked on each side by tabs constructed of green wool with buckram cores, trimmed with machine-embroidered silver-grey scalloping, and bearing machine-embroidered silver-grey laurel branches topped by a single silvered pip. Each tab measures 45 mm (w) x 70 mm (h). The shoulders are topped by boards constructed of green wool with card stock cores, bearing two bands of silver aluminum wire piping interspersed with equal green threaded chevrons, in turn surrounding two bands of silver aluminum wire piping interspersed with narrow green threaded chevrons, and pinned with a gilt pip and Reichsfinanzverwaltung device. Each measuring 30 mm (w) x 100 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with machine stitching at the outer edge and with a pebbled magnetic metal button on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 16 cm, while the left cuff is adorned with a Reichsfinanzverwaltung und Zollgrenzschutz cuff title, constructed of a green rayon base, trimmed along both the top and bottom edges with machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresses, and bearing a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika of identical construction. Four pockets are set into the breasts, all closing with scalloped flaps perforated with reinforced buttonholes meeting pebbled and silvered buttons, while the top two pockets are pleated. The reverse is topped by two gilded belt hooks, while the Joppe closes with six pebbled and silvered buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner which transitions into a pinstripe design through the arms. Unmarked, it measures approximately 42 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall body length of 70 cm. Minor issues consistent with age and modification are evident, and include some fatigue to the base material, the replacement of original gilt buttons with later silvered examples, and the addition of late-pattern insignia. This interesting transitional Joppe remains in a very fine condition.