Germany, Third Reich. A State Forestry Service Greatcoat for Officer Ranks

(Mantel für einen Offizier im Staatsforst). An extremely well-preserved State Forestry Service great, constructed of dark green wool. It features a turned down collar which is trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, and topped by a layer of crushed green wool felt, with machine-stitched dart reinforcements visible across the reverse. The collar is flanked on each side by tabs which are constructed of grey wool with buckram cores, trimmed with twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping, topped by two silver aluminum wire oak leaves, with two additional clusters of oak leaves of identical construction situated at the lower corners, and which measure 40 mm (w) x 50 mm (l). The shoulders are topped by boards which are constructed of grey doeskin, topped by four bands of interwoven green rayon piping, and which are pinned with silvered brass acorns. Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with stitching at the seam of the shoulder, and with black bakelite buttons on the inner edge. The collar tabs reflect a rank of Reviertorster, while the shoulder boards are issued to a Forstmeister, reflecting period rank modification, while a grey underlay indicates issue to forestry personnel attached to the Heer. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up and secured in place with two pieces of stitching. Two side pockets are set into the waist and close with buttonless diagonal flaps, while the back features an integral belt in the form of two straps, trimmed with green piping, which fasten closed with a single black bakelite button. The greatcoat closes with six black bakelite buttons on each breast meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the opposite side. A multi-piece field-grey rayon liner fully encompasses the interior, while an integral strap descends from the left armpit, culminating in a functional metal spring clip maker marked with the logo of F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid. The strap fits through a reinforced slash that connects to the corresponding pocket for the inclusion of a dress dagger. Interior pockets are set into the upper breast of each breast. Unmarked, the coat measures approximately 45 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 60 cm, and an overall length of 122 cm (when folded on a flat surface). Demonstrating no notable damage or wear with the exception of the rank-mismatched insignia, it remains in an extremely fine condition.