WWII German winter parkas

[Kermit3D]

In addition to the flight jackets, I had a very ordinary parka (Quechua) but very useful to protect me from the wind and the rain. I stupidly forgot it one evening in a pub (probably a little too much beer warmed me up, and I didn't think about taking my parka to go back home...).
Anyway, I need a new parka.

Instead of buying a modern, cheap, and practical garment, why not buy a reproduction of an old, expensive, less practical but terribly cool parka? I am sure you understand me... (my wife still can't get used to it).

While doing some research on WWII parkas, I stopped on German parkas. I don't want an N3B or N2B parka to go on a trip to the North Pole (I do, but I don't need one).
I would like a parka that does not immediately suggest its military affiliation. In its mouse grey color, the German parka ticks all the boxes. I really like German parkas with the typical late war camouflage color, but it's immediately recognizable as a German army garment, and personally that's not what I'm looking for.

I created this thread to share our experiences about German parkas (mouse grey or camouflage color, it doesn't matter). I will also share my research.

 

[Kermit3D]

Here is a list of reproductions available on the market that I could find. Feel free to add to it if you know of any others :

• SM wholesale offers very high quality parkas. Great camouflage colors are also available.

SM Wholesale USA — WWII GERMAN MOUSE GRAY WINTER PARKA

Our parkas are the best reproductions available today. They are made exactly like the originals using heavy 8 oz. 100% rayon fabric and sewn on the same machines and production methods used in WWII. They feature resin or pebble metal buttons on the gray side and large white paper, resin or pebble b

www.smwholesaleusa.com

• At the front makes a great parka, with an excellent price/quality ratio (also camouflage color). Unfortunately no longer available.

WWII German Mouse Gray Parka | ATF

Top quality reproduction WW2 German 'mouse gray' parkas, reversible to white. Issued to Heer and Luftwaffe troops 1942-45. These are patterned, sized and color matched to original examples.

www.atthefront.com

• Epic militaria offers two reproductions (also camouflage color). One is a bit more expensive than the other... but I can't say more about the quality.

WW2 German Uniforms - Winter Parkas & Trousers - Epic Militaria

German WW2 Winter Parkas Trousers and Mittens. Dot Peas, Tan & Water, Splinter Camo, Mouse Grey

www.epicmilitaria.com

WW2 German Grey Padded Parka

Our honest reproductions of the WW2 German Grey Padded Parka have features iconic to the originals. It has two front pockets, a drawcord waist belt, and the correct straps and buttons. These parkas are also reversible to white. We’ve made these to be worn over your tunic and helmet – so purchase...

www.epicmilitaria.com

• Soldier of Fortune (camouflage colors are also available)

Grey Parka WW2 German Winter Padded Reversible to white Jacket by RUM

German winter parka, reversible from grey to white. This is a Richard Underwood quality replica of the popular winter parka used by the German Heer (Army) and Luftwaffe in WW2. Fully reversible from the grey/green colour to plain white. This parka in usually called the grey parka but the actual...

www.sofmilitary.co.uk

• The History Bunker (camouflage colors are also available)

WW2 German WW2 Wehrmacht Feldgrau Parka

Reversible WW2 German Feldgrau ParkaMouse Gray Parka (w/hood) Reversible to Winter White- Reversible to white

thehistorybunker.co.uk

• Militaria Net

WW2 German Army Grey Parka, issued to Heer and Waffen SS troops

WW2 German Army Grey Parka- Militaria Net -World War Two German Militaria and Third Reich collectables, Heer and Waffen SS troops

militaria-net.co.uk

• Panther Shop

Germany WW2 | Winter jacket Tan-Water sand | Panther-shop

size I,II,III + hight of body

www.panther-shop.eu

• Nestof

Winter jacket - Mausgrau - mouse grey - repro

Perfect replica of WH/SS winter jacket - Mausgrau. Made of cotton

nestof.pl

• Hessen Antique

WH Mouse-grey Reversible Winter Parka

Reversible Winter Parka-Grey/White camouflage

hessenantique.com

 

[B-Man2]

Hi Kermit
I previously owned a S&W Wholesale camo German parka that I purchased from CBI . It was reversible with Cano on one side and white snow Camo color on the other. It was well constructed and fairly heavy for cold weather wear. I sold it to a friend who was crazy about it and I immediately had sellers remorse. ATF usually has some at a cheaper price but it looks like they are either completely sold out or no longer carry them . I’m not sure what’s going on with them.

 

[Otter]

SOF also do a copy of the Where Eagles Dare parka.

"Where Eagles Dare" Parka Tan & Water German Army Winter Padded Reversible Jacket

"Where eagles dare" is one of the top War films and we've always wanted to own one of the iconic reversible winter parkas worn in the film. So we have specially commissioned the same model as worn By Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton in "Where eagles dare"

www.sofmilitary.co.uk

 

[Dany McDonald]

Fun fact, the jackets in the movie Where Eagles Dare was from an experimental Marsh and WH splinter camouflage pattern. The main difference is the background color being more lighter than the usual splinter.

Dany

 

[Smithy]

Kermit, I'd send Rollin at ATF an email saying that you're interested in purchasing a grey reversible parka. It might be on his radar already for a reissue. He has done several runs and I'd be very surprised if they're not on his "to do" list as they've been very popular sellers.

 

[Smithy]

While doing some research on WWII parkas, I stopped on German parkas. I don't want an N3B or N2B parka to go on a trip to the North Pole (I do, but I don't need one).

I've worn mine up at the cottage/cabin in the mountains in very cold weather, and layered with woollens underneath it will keep you very toasty.

 

[Smithy]

...I should add that I haven't handled one but those parkas from the Czech Panther website are highly spoken of on some German militaria and reenactment boards.

 

[B-Man2]

I've worn mine up at the cottage/cabin in the mountains in very cold weather, and layered with woollens underneath it will keep you very toasty.

Tim
I know that you worked in a military museum at one point in your career, did you ever have an opportunity to handle on of the original captured SS parkas that you mentioned in one of your earlier posts ?

“FLY EAGLES FLY””

 

[Smithy]

Tim
I know that you worked in a military museum at one point in your career, did you ever have an opportunity to handle on of the original captured SS parkas that you mentioned in one of your earlier posts ?

“FLY EAGLES FLY””

They had two when I was there - one was from the Army Museum and had been on loan for some reason, the other was from somewhere else (I don't think it was part of the permanent collection either). Both were Waffen-SS (museums here often try to cover the Norwegian volunteers in the Waffen-SS) so W-SS camo - autumn on one side and white on the reverse, one or both were the "Oakleaf" pattern. They were very grubby (unsurprisingly) and heavy. This is just from memory and nothing else but the ATF parkas feel of a similar weight.

Some repros like the one I had back in the 00s was terrible and very "puffy". Stay away from those.

 

[Smithy]

“FLY EAGLES FLY””

What a start to the season!!!!

 

[Pilot]

As far as I know, the „Mausgraue Wendejacke“ …
„ mouse grey parka „ only exists on recent selling websites.
Here a few photos of the blue grey Luftwaffe Wendejacke …
Never saw nor heard of any other authentic WW2 item in a similar shade… but maybe I missed something.
Just for details comparison.

Greetings from Korea.

 

[Smithy]

As far as I know, the „Mausgraue Wendejacke“ …
„ mouse grey parka „ only exists on recent selling websites.
Here a few photos of the blue grey Luftwaffe Wendejacke …
Never saw nor heard of any other authentic WW2 item in a similar shade… but maybe I missed something.
Just for details comparison.View attachment 84706View attachment 84707View attachment 84708View attachment 84709
Greetings from Korea.View attachment 84710

Hi Brice,

I think the whole "Mouse grey" thing is one of those things cooked up postwar to give a descriptive name to German colours used during the war, in the same way Oakleaf, Planetree, etc are used to describe Waffen-SS camouflage patterns when no such names existed or were used by the Germans during the War.

I think this Mouse grey thing is just a way to describe the M1942 reversible white/Feldgrau one. It would have been much easier (and far less confusing) to just call it Feldgrau or field grey IMHO rather than making up another name for the colour.

Cheers,

Tim

 

[Chandler]

I've wanted one of these parkas for a long time (another cinema influence on cool), but couldn't bring myself to ever buy one -- the plain color field gray on one side wouldn't be bad, but any of the full-on camo would be a little too stand-out for me.

Add to that the button-up closure and cloth waist tie, and the whole deal is just a little too cumbersome for me -- nevermind the oversized hood (meant to fit over a helmet) that is less than practical.

But yeah... they're still cool looking.

 

[Chandler]

Hi Kermit
I previously owned a S&W Wholesale camo German parka that I purchased from CBI . It was reversible with Cano on one side and white snow Camo color on the other. It was well constructed and fairly heavy for cold weather wear. I sold it to a friend who was crazy about it and I immediately had sellers remorse. ATF usually has some at a cheaper price but it looks like they are either completely sold out or no longer carry them . I’m not sure what’s going on with them.

Burt, I think ATF is having major supplier issues with production and delivery. Their parkas look about the best -- even when they started using fleece linings over blanket wool.

 

[Smithy]

Add to that the button-up closure and cloth waist tie, and the whole deal is just a little too cumbersome for me -- nevermind the oversized hood (meant to fit over a helmet) that is less than practical.

I've never found any of those features troublesome. The button closure is actually genius as you can easily adjust the amount that the parka is buttoned up depending on the temperature and what you are doing in it. I often if I'm working and bending down have the lower buttons open.

The hood is large but by no means a problem. I'm usually wearing a cap of beanie and it's no bother. Due to the nature of the fabric (it's thick) you can easily squash it so it fits and is comfortable.

Maybe you should actually try wearing one. They're excellent parkas.

Burt, I think ATF is having major supplier issues with production and delivery. Their parkas look about the best -- even when they started using fleece linings over blanket wool.

The fleece linings are excellent, warm but without the issues that the original Reizwolle have. As I mentioned above the fleece makes the parka have the same heft as the originals.

I've said it here before but easily one of the best jackets/coats I own and probably the most practical.

 

[Silver Surfer]

imo, none of these worn in public, in any of the Camo patterns would be an issue since %95 of the public have no idea as to what they were [are], or who they were worn by, or when. I might even get one of the "where eagles dare" versions.

 

[Smithy]

imo, none of these worn in public, in any of the Camo patterns would be an issue since %95 of the public have no idea as to what they were [are], or who they were worn by, or when. I might even get one of the "where eagles dare" versions.

I've worn mine here in Norway and nobody has batted an eyelid. Saying that camo clothing and ex-military clothing is very visible here when folk go up in the mountains or on hunting trips.

I gave my mother-in-law's husband a M43 pattern Wehrmacht cap (without badges) a few years back and he uses it all the time up in the mountains and when hunting.

Just good kit being well used.

 

[Silver Surfer]

funny you should mention it, back in the day, I would wear my original m43 in the winter, as it had fold down ear flaps. only insignia as I remember was a circle inside of a circle on the front. the only odd looks I got was from the porcelli bros, who were geezers that owned the local butcher shop. they never said a word though.

 

[Smithy]

funny you should mention it, back in the day, I would wear my original m43 in the winter, as it had fold down ear flaps. only insignia as I remember was a circle inside of a circle on the front. the only odd looks I got was from the porcelli bros, who were geezers the owned the local butcher shop. they never said a word though.

They're terrific caps Vic. They're not a million miles from the current Norwegian cap which isn't entirely dissimilar so wearing a M43 no-one bats an eyelid.