1915 Introduced German Army Greatcoat Dated 1918

An excellent WW1 German 15 Greatcoat dated 1918.

Introduced in September 1915 alongside the well known Bluse , this pattern of Greatcoat was intended to both simplify manufacture and replace Germany's 1894 Pattern Greatcoat which was deemed too light for the rigours of winter in the trenches.

From late 1916 onwards it formed part of the classic silhouette of the German soldier.

Constructed in heavy field grey wool it has large turn back cuffs like its Bluse counterpart as well a wide collar made of finer reseda green cloth. Each hip has a flapped pocket, at the shoulders there are loops to fix regimental epaulettes, there is a buttoned half belt to the rear mid back for size adjustment, and a buttoned vent to the lower back. It is closed by six painted steel buttons bearing the imperial German crown and half lined in light grey cotton drill.

The lining bears various number stamps indicating size and a Depot marking for the 13th Army Corps dated 1918. The 13th Army Corps fought the entire war on the Western Front. It was largely made of units from Wurttemberg however by 1918 it had significant Prussian and Bavarian elements as well.