Hidden placket

[volvomeister13]

I recently came into possession of a dark blue wool overcoat with peak lapels that I think is from the thirties. The union tag looks like the '36 or '39 edition, but it is date is illegible. The buttons are hidden by a placket, which strikes me as unusual for the time period, this not being a Chesterfield coat. There is no belt either. What's the story on hidden buttons? The coat seems very thirties-sequel except for that detail.

 

[Peacoat]

Post pictures of the coat and the tag, and Dinerman will probably be able to answer your questions. He is the resident expert on vintage outerwear.

 

[volvomeister13]

 

[volvomeister13]

Above, the coat buttoned and unbuttoned.

This is the union label. Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[Dinerman]

Plackets like that weren't uncommon at all, though I generally see them on notch lapel models. The date on the union label is the only difference between the 1936 and 1939 tags, which leaves a 13 year window that it could have been manufactured in. The breast pocket and shape of those lapels have me thinking pre-war, however.