Germany, Heer. An M36 Greatcoat for a Signals Major

(Heer Mantel M36 für einen Major der Nachrichtentruppe). An extremely well-preserved Heer M36 greatcoat for a Major of Signals personnel, constructed of a heavy field-grey wool cloth. It features a turned-down collar which is topped with a layer of smooth dark green wool, heavily reinforced on the reverse with machine-stitched darts. The shoulders are flanked by boards which are constructed of lemon-yellow wool with rigid card stock cores, in turn topped by four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping, measuring 40 mm (w) x 100 mm (l). The boards are secured in place with machine stitching through the sleeve seam at the outer edge, and with pebbled metal buttons on the inner edge. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 14 cm and fixed in position with two pieces of stitching. Pockets flank each side of the waist, both opening with reinforced horizontal flaps, with the left pocket notably featuring an opening into the interior to allow the wearer’s dress dagger to sit outside through the use of a hanger. A two-piece integral belt at the reverse fastens closed with two pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The coat closes with double lapels featuring six pebbled magnetic metal buttons on each side, in turn meeting equal numbers of reinforced buttonholes on the opposite sides. A slate-grey rayon-blended cloth liner fully encompasses the interior, with machine-stitched reinforcements throughout the shoulders and armpits. Unmarked, the coat measures approximately 48 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 64 cm, and an overall length of 122 cm. Demonstrating only minor and sporadic soiling and material fatigue consistent with age and field wear, this rank- and branch-attributed greatcoat remains in an extremely fine condition.