Private purchase, rubberized, field-gray fabric construction, double breasted style, full length, raincoat with fold back lapels and a large, lay down collar. The raincoat features dual, vertical, parallel, rows of six, front closure buttons with corresponding button eyelets on the left front panel, and a single button eyelet on the right front panel with a corresponding button to the interior left panel, designed for a secure front closure and a neat appearance. The raincoat has a metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline with a small, protective, fabric tab to the reverse of the eye. The raincoat has two, slightly diagonally angled, slash, front, hip pockets with slightly angular flaps situated at the waistline. The straight cut sleeves have simulated, machine stitched, French cuffs. Buttons look to be all original stitching. Chest size is roughly a 40. Nice worn and used example showing the expected age and wear. The Greatcoat was an essential uniform item worn by all ranks, with minor variations, and followed the basic design of the Imperial German army’s greatcoat. During WWII the German army utilized at least thirteen different styles of greatcoats with numerous variations and intended purposes. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain Senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their uniforms from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase garments of higher quality. As a result of their obligation to furnish their own uniform items, Officers and Senior NCO’s were permitted to buy optional clothing items that were prohibited for other ranks. One of the optional uniform items permitted for private purchase by Officers and Senior NCO’s was a rubberized raincoat, officially designated Wetter mantel, (Weather Coat), as introduced on August 10TH 1937, that was to conform to the style and cut of the standard issue greatcoats, although numerous subtle and not so subtle variations were utilized. As a general, although unofficial rule, Officer’s ranks were usually given more leeway in the pattern and cut of optional clothing items while the Senior NCO’s had to have their private purchase garments inspected and approved before wear. Regulations dictated the only insignia to be worn on the rubberized raincoats were to be the slip on, shoulder boards or straps depending on the particular rank.