Burberry's trenchcoat belt question

[shadowrider]

Hey folks, I am considering buying a Burberry trench coat, and need a little help from the experts.
I think D-rings on trenchcoats belts are silly, so the one I'm looking for has to be without. On the other hand, I really like the classic 4 parallel stitch lines on the belt, which look nice and also probably make it stiffer.
My issue is, I seem to not be able to find a Burberry's trenchcoat without D-rings on the belt, but with stitch lines. Does anybody know if the stitch lines maybe phased out of production before the D-rings did?
Also, about D-rings, is one supposed to wear the belt so that they sit on top of the belt, or hanging below it?

 

[Carlos840]

I like the D rings, whether the old legends about them being used in WWI to carry grenades are right or wrong, they are a reminder of the history of this coat and where it came from, it is a classic thing!
Mine has the D rings and the four stitch lines and i wouldn't change a thing about it.
If they are really a problem for you i am sure you could take the belt to a tailor and have them removed pretty easily.

The belt is worn with the rings on the bottom side. Even though my belt has the four stitch lines i would not call it stiff, it is still just two layers of gabardine folded together.

 

[shadowrider]

Thanks!
I'm getting more and more convinced that the rings were supposed to sit on the belt top, though, as I saw some wartime pictures of trench coats with equipment straps clipped to the belt.

 

[I would go out tonight]

I have had Burberry and Aquascutum and believe you would be able to tell which way the rings lie by the way the belt is constructed. Assuming you have the buckle on the left and the more finished side facing out, the rings will be at the bottom. AFAIR Aquascutum were the company with the contract to supply the coats to the trenches. Aquascutum can be picked up at reasonable prices on eBay. If you want a military inspired coat Private White VC might be worth a look.

 

[shadowrider]

Thanks guys. I did a bit of further research and it seems one advantage of the D-rings is they prevent the belt from slipping through the beltloops when unbuttoned, thus lessening the risk of loosing it. That is actually something to consider.
I also have a question about the "gun" flap: does anybody know if the coat can be found with it on both sides, instead of just on the right?

 

[Carlos840]

Thanks guys. I did a bit of further research and it seems one advantage of the D-rings is they prevent the belt from slipping through the beltloops when unbuttoned, thus lessening the risk of loosing it. That is actually something to consider.
I also have a question about the "gun" flap: does anybody know if the coat can be found with it on both sides, instead of just on the right?

The belt actually has a small strap in the back that attaches to the belt loops to prevent it from falling.

Also the "gun" flap isn't a gun flap, it folds over the end of the lapel to prevent water from dripping down from the top when the coat is closed. It wouldn't serve any function on the other side...
Some people will call it a gun flap saying there used to be a way to reach your gun through it, or that it was used to prevent water from dripping down the end of your barrel! I call BS! It's far too high, far too small, and far too complicated.
Burberry's old advertising calls it a storm flap.
IMO It is clearly there for rain, not for a gun! But hey, the legend of the gun flap sounds more impressive...



On most women trenches the flap is on the other side, although some have kept the flap on the men's side even though the coat closes the other way around, rendering it useless:

 

[shadowrider]

Thanks Carlos.
You are correct about the flap, that's why I used quotation marks writing "gun" (some people also think it's there to reduce recoil) .
I've seen pictures of wartime trench coats with it on both sides, and I think it makes a lot of sense, given the coat ability to be buttoned either way. But I don't seem to be able to find one like that for sale from either Burberry or Aquascutum.

 

[Flyhalf_Keith]

I also have a question about the "gun" flap: does anybody know if the coat can be found with it on both sides, instead of just on the right?

While not Burberry or Aquascutum, this coat has flaps both left and right as it can be buttoned either way. I've never seen one in person, however I was considering it until recently but I could not find or obtain an image of the reverse side.

http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5041-Early-Style-Trench-Coat-For-Non-US-Clients-only/?bc=no