SOVIET 'TELOGREIKA' WINTER COAT WORN IN A GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMP

Well-worn Soviet winter coat ('telogreika') issued to an unfortunate Russian concentration camp prisoner previously captured by the German army. This cotton wool–padded jacket would keep its wearer warm in sub-zero temperatures for long periods, and was part of the winter uniform first issued by the Red Army. This particular example was worn for a very long period of time before its owner died, was executed, or least likely of all, was repatriated to the USSR. The garment is marked with a faded white-painted 'S U' (for 'Sowjetunion) on the back and left breast. Three of the four buttons at front as well as the buttons at the ends of the sleeves are all pebbled aluminum and identical to those used on German uniforms from which they were likely scavenged. The neckline and sleeve ends are heavily worn, a tear appears on the right sleeve, and the right elbow has been crudely patched with a piece of fabric glued in place. According to our consignor, a long-time, very knowledgeable collector of Holocaust items, this piece been examined by a camp museum and considered genuine, and it further matches an example held in the Auschwitz Museum archives. SOLD WITH: a 4.25 x 2.5 x 1 in. lidded wood box, stained a darker brown, hand-carved by a Russian P.O.W. The cover displays a bird amongst flowers and nestled in grass with the year '1945', the underside of the box bearing the Russian hammer and sickle emblem. Two pieces.