WWII German winter parkas

[Silver Surfer]

damnit, now I have to root around and see if I still have mine....that is, of course, if moths haven't eaten it up. also, I wonder if it still fits. im told that my head has gotten bigger, by some......I wonder.

 

[B-Man2]

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.



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.

The S&M Wholesale jacket that I had was entirely heavy weight padded fabric . I’m not sure how or what it was made from but definitely not fleece. Not sure wether ATF or S&M had the more accurate repro of the jacket but I’d have to assume that the originals didn’t have fleece .

 

[Chandler]

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 get the point about what the public may or may not know, but I know -- and camo sets a tone around my area.

In a big snow storm a few years ago I wore my M-64 woodland over my heavy fleece to work and was immediately labeled Rambo by my boss.

And I have a German Feldmutz and Beregmutz I wear now and again, but they're still pretty stand-out in my suburban environment. Even my Swiss mutz is a little too foreign as to get sideways looks.

Yeah, should I care? No, but my wife does.

 

[Chandler]

... but I’d have to assume that the originals didn’t have fleece .

Even Rollin admits that.

 

[Silver Surfer]

anybody know how the repros fit? true to size? over size for layering?

 

[B-Man2]

I just read the specs on the S&M jackets and they are made utilizing the same weighted fabrics as the originals. Also the lining is made from the same weighted military blankets ,(2 or them) that was also used in the originals. So while I’m not a big fan of S&M , I’d have to assume that they are pretty accurate repros of that jacket .

 

[B-Man2]

anybody know how the repros fit? true to size? over size for layering?

Definitely oversized …..

 

[Smithy]

The S&M Wholesale jacket that I had was entirely heavy weight padded fabric . I’m not sure how or what it was made from but definitely not fleece. Not sure wether ATF or S&M had the more accurate repro of the jacket but I’d have to assume that the originals didn’t have fleece .

The originals have a thing called Reizwolle Burt. None of the repros use Reizwolle. So the real thing it in terms of heft. I can only talk about ATF's parkas but they have the same weight and heft of those two original W-SS parkas I've handled.

ATF's are sized liked originals, so made to be worn over under garments, shirts, and tunics.

Wehrmacht/Waffen-SS reversible parkas were designed to be worn over existing uniform and not by themselves.

They were an outer layer designed to augment the other layers being worn in the Wehrmacht/Waffen-SS uniform.

 

[Chandler]

anybody know how the repros fit? true to size? over size for layering?

Pretty sure, as Burt says, they're oversized for layering.

And helmets.

 

[Dany McDonald]

s 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.

Hello Pilot,

In the winter 42/43 when the parka was first introduced it was actually field-gray. The soldiers (mostly army at first) were given brassards (Black/red or red/yellow) to be used on the sleeve to distinguish German unit from Russians. In oct 43 the army and SS started to use camouflage on the exterior shell and the cut was identical at first but evolved differently after. I bet the LW blue parka in your example is also a very early version. I've also found a LW blue quilted version.

You can find B/W photos of troops with a dark gray color parka easily distinguished from the camouflage versions in the same image.

Hope this brings helpful info to the discussion.

Dany

 

[Pilot]

Hello Pilot,

In the winter 42/43 when the parka was first introduced it was actually field-gray. The soldiers (mostly army at first) were given brassards (Black/red or red/yellow) to be used on the sleeve to distinguish German unit from Russians. In oct 43 the army and SS started to use camouflage on the exterior shell and the cut was identical at first but evolved differently after. I bet the LW blue parka in your example is also a very early version. I've also found a LW blue quilted version.

You can find B/W photos of troops with a dark gray color parka easily distinguished from the camouflage versions in the same image.

Hope this brings helpful info to the discussion.

Dany

Hi Dany
thanks a lot…
1000% agree with all your words.
Field grey… in that time was not „ mouse grey „ but Feldgrau…like most of the Wehrmacht and WaSS uniforms ( read green/grey ).
There was even a slight difference in the Feldgrau from WH compared to the WaSS Feldgrau ( Wendejacke).
I am Korea right now ( hence far away from my „Wendejacken“ at home in Luxemburg).
Will try to find some photos anyway.
Thanks for your excellent feedback.
Here a few good „Feldgrau“ examples.

Original WWII German WH/SS reversible Wendejacke - Oorlogsspullen.nl - Militaria shop

The Wendejacke is in used but fine condition and this is the 1st pattern. The jacket is reversible, one side grey/green, one side white. White camouflage paint can be found on the white side of the jacket. On the white and green side is possibly a blood stain! A real combat jacket and perfect...

oorlogsspullen.nl

Rare first pattern Waffen-SS grey/white reversible winter parka

Rare original first pattern Waffen-SS reversible winter parka marked Klepper-Werke 1943, Grosse I. This is the first reversible winter parka as made and issued to the Waffen-SS. The parka is in goo…

fjm44.com

Early German Heer / Waffen-SS winter combat reversible to white parka

Early German Heer / Waffen-SS winter combat reversible to white parka

www.lux-military-antiques.com

 

[Smithy]

I just dug out my books by Nigel Thomas on the Wehrmacht and their uniforms and in them he mentions "mouse-grey". He uses it non-capitalised which suggests it wasn't an "actual" Wehrmacht colour. Interestingly, he uses the term mostly to describe a mid grey used in insignia.

If we're talking about "mouse-grey" in relation to Wehrmacht parkas I think this is probably a "descriptive" adjective to describe a version - which could very possibly be due to differences in fabric production batches rather than a separate and differently specified colour. Thomas makes no mention of the M1942 reversible winter tunic/parka (Winteranzug) coming in different colours other than Feldgrau, although it was offered in three different weights. The design for the M1942 parka didn't change until 1944 when the elbows were reinforced and the hood design subtly changed with the addition of "darts" which improved the hood shape.

 

[Silver Surfer]

just pulled the trigger on one of those "where eagles dare" parkas. the price was right, even with shipping to the us. also, having looked at other offerings, the wed version appears to be right up there with the best of the others. I will likey apply a water proof spray to it on both sides, so that in the event that it gets wet from rain or snow, it won't get the interior insulator blanket wet and heavy. more when it arrives. btw: the size 40 is 23" pit to pit, and the size 42 is 24" pit to pit.

 

[Smithy]

just pulled the trigger on one of those "where eagles dare" parkas. the price was right, even with shipping to the us. also, having looked at other offerings, the wed version appears to be right up there with the best of the others. I will likey apply a water proof spray to it on both sides, so that in the event that it gets wet from rain or snow, it won't get the interior insulator blanket wet and heavy. more when it arrives. btw: the size 40 is 23" pit to pit, and the size 42 is 24" pit to pit.

Post some pics when it turns up Vic. Right time to buy from the UK now that the pound has tanked.

 

[Silver Surfer]

eggs-actly

 

[Dany McDonald]

Hello guys,

There was even a slight difference in the Feldgrau from WH compared to the WaSS Feldgrau ( Wendejacke).

Pilot, absolutely and the array of shades and variants can be difficult to follow. Some early Anorak's were officially field-green but were actually very close to field-gray like your examples...

Now why SM offers a panzer-gray Wendejacke (when it could be a fantasy style) when they got the Anorak right...!?

And a nice one too:

SM Wholesale USA — WWII GERMAN 1ST MODEL WAFFEN SS CHARKOV ANORAK

1st MODEL ANORAK Also known as the Charkov parka. First seen during the famous battle of Charkov in 1943 by members of the LAH & Das Reich". This model was a pullover version with an internal waist drawstring, fur-lined pockets, a huge rabbit-lined hood, and a full rabbit fur-lined body

www.smwholesaleusa.com

Now for the cut and style, apparently the only way to differentiate an Army from SS winter 43 parkas is the pocket flap, the SS had a curve while army was strait.

Thank you,

D

 

[Dany McDonald]

I am Korea right now ( hence far away from my „Wendejacken“ at home in Luxemburg).

Pilot, please post more images of your German kits, I am interested.

And a question, can you still find early USAF Nylon stuff in south Korea, or its all gone to Japan?

Thanx,

D

 

[Otter]

just pulled the trigger on one of those "where eagles dare" parkas. the price was right, even with shipping to the us. also, having looked at other offerings, the wed version appears to be right up there with the best of the others. I will likey apply a water proof spray to it on both sides, so that in the event that it gets wet from rain or snow, it won't get the interior insulator blanket wet and heavy. more when it arrives. btw: the size 40 is 23" pit to pit, and the size 42 is 24" pit to pit.

Looking forward to your comments on it, I have long swithered over one.
Nikwax Cotton proof works well on that type of jacket, I use it o my Tilley Hat and Fjallraven jackets.

 

[Kermit3D]

Wow I'm impressed with your levels of knowledge... I've been away for two days and this thread has come alive ! It's great to read you guys.

 

[Kermit3D]

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.

Oh yes! I had forgotten this film... unconsciously I was probably also influenced by Clin Eastwood and Richard Burton.

I would also have a hard time assuming the camouflage motif. But that's a very personal opinion and if I didn't care what people thought then it would be my choice.