Heer Mouse Grey/White Reversible Winter Parka 

After the devastating winter of 1941-1942 on the Russian front the German army found that it was drastically under equipped with cold weather garments to withstand the severe cold and a wide variety of improvised garments including a broad assortment of donated civilian garments were utilized as a temporary solution. To rectify the situation the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, began testing heavier winter clothing in the spring of 1942 to develop suitable garments for the Russian front. In April 1942 Hitler approved the chosen designs and the first models were issued in the autumn of that year, in the reversible blue/mouse grey/white colorations, which was modified to camouflage pattern/white combinations in 1943.

Early three quarter length, water repellant, heavy, ribbed cotton twill and cotton construction. Double breasted style parka with mouse grey (faded) to one side, reversible to white. Buttons are all complete with olriginal stitching. Original internal belts is still present. The parka has an integral hood, which is large enough to accommodate a helmet. The hood has a tunnel loop to the forward edge and the original white drawstring. The parka is fully reversible to white with all the same features as on the mouse grey side. The parka has an internal, heat retaining padding through-out. The parkas were designed large enough to fit over the standard service uniform and this example is also nicely marked “BRAGO GRÖSSE 2”. Size 2 is medium. The parka is in good still used condition with light signs of wear. Grey side shows some age and wear fading. White side is remarkably clean.

Desirable early parka with all buttons, drawstrings and hood all intact!!