Original 1950s British Royal Navy Duffle Coat - Collar Conversion

An original Royal Navy Duffle Coat dating from the 1950s to 1960s which has had the hood removed and a rounded collar added. 

This pattern of coat was introduced during the Second World War. This is the second pattern which had four toggle fasteners to the front rather than three. They were produced from WW2 until the 1970s making them sometimes hard to date. The addition of the War Department marking to the interior of this example would suggest to me it dates from the 1940s or 1950s. 

Duffle coats became extremely popular post-war with civilians wearing original ex-military examples such as this. They were also made by a wide variety of manufacturers during the 50s, 60s and 70s for commercial sale. This is an original military made example however which they were all based on!

The coat is made from a thick, heavy camel hair wool which was used as it is very warm. The coat fastens with four wooden toggles to the front and features tabs which fasten at the wrists. The coat would have originally had a hood but this has been removed and replaced with a rounded collar of the same style as was used for the white coloured shorter length 'Coats Duffle'. Inside the coat there is evidence of where the original military issue label was previously fitted. There is also a War Department acceptance stamp to the interior as illustrated in picture 8.

Based on the measurements, this coat is a size 3 which would have been designed for someone of around a 40" - 42" chest. They are however cut in a wide, loose manner to allow them to be worn as an outer layer over a uniform. Due to this it is possible that the coat will fit larger chest sizes. When laid flat it measures - 

Chest - 28"
Inside arm - 18 1/2"
Outside arm - 23 3/4"
Shoulders - 21 1/2"
Length - 41"

The coat is in worn condition but is still sound and wearable. There are signs of wear and use, some staining and some limited moth damage. Overall the coat has a great look and is still very wearable but please study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that it is a vintage, pre-worn item which has some small flaws commensurate with age. 

A great collar conversion that really makes this an interesting period coat.