I want one of these: Soviet secret police coat

[Physicist]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...ice-stir-memories-of-1930s-purges/438593.html

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Leather Coats for Secret Service Stir Memories of 1930s Purges
10 June 2011
The Moscow Times

Coat to be worn by federal guards
Zakupki.gov.ru

Coat to be worn by federal guards

A state tender by the Federal Guard Service for 60 long black leather coats has created a storm in cyberspace, with bloggers complaining that the clothing stirs up bad memories of Stalinist henchmen.

The order, which also includes 60 short black leather jackets, was placed last week and has a price tag of 2.9 million rubles ($104,000), according to Zakupki.gov.ru, the web site for state tenders.

The order description does not specify who or what the coats are intended for. But bloggers pointed out Thursday that they are a dead ringer for the attire of the NKVD secret service in the 1920s and 1930s. The observation was made by commenters on a LiveJournal blog that tracks state tenders, Zakupki-news, which is run by the first deputy editor of Forbes Russia, Alexander Malyutin.

The NKVD, which later transformed into the KGB, was a prime force in carrying out Stalinist purges in which more than 1 million "enemies of the people" died. An NKVD officer in a long black coat is a staple image of that era.

A Federal Guard Service spokesman said Thursday that the coats were in line with a 2010 Kremlin decree on law enforcement uniforms, Interfax reported.

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...ies-of-1930s-purges/438593.html#ixzz1Uw5s7neX
The Moscow Times

Anybody here know anything about these? Such as, where to order it?

 

[Jeff M]

If this was the "Secret police" coat, seems like everybody would be able to recognize them, and they wouldn't be "secret" anymore.

I'd think about contacting Aero, and asking them to modify their "Barnstormer" design to match it.
Aero is very accomodating when it comes to design changes.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=9

Lengthen the hem, change the pockets a bit...and there you go.
Premium quality maker, premium quality leather, custom fit.

Looks like an Aero would be a LOT cheaper also.

 

[Peacoat]

If this was the "Secret police" coat, seems like everybody would be able to recognize them, and they wouldn't be "secret" anymore.

Good point, Jeff.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Anybody here know anything about these? Such as, where to order it?

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?56805-The-return-of-the-NKVD-overcoat

 

[Physicist]

Thanks. I did a search before I made this thread. Apparently I used the wrong terms.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

If they're all wearing the same coat, how secret can they be?

Eastman makes a German flying coat very similar, and in horsehide, for less. It says "Luftwaffe" on the label but if you don't care, go for it.

http://www.eastmanleather.com/produ...d=155&osCsid=5ba9c6636ae2c53219ff30ddc36dcfd4

 

[Tomasso]

There's a difference between secret police and undercover police.

 

[Treetopflyer]

In Soviet Russia, coat wears you.:laugh:

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[Jeff M]

If they're all wearing the same coat, how secret can they be?

Eastman makes a German flying coat very similar, and in horsehide, for less. It says "Luftwaffe" on the label but if you don't care, go for it.

http://www.eastmanleather.com/produ...d=155&osCsid=5ba9c6636ae2c53219ff30ddc36dcfd4

This is a 3/4 length coat, as opposed to the full length design he is looking for.
Could try asking Eastman if they are willing to lengthen the hem...but my understanding is they are not as amenable to design changes as Aero.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

This is a 3/4 length coat, as opposed to the full length design he is looking for.
Could try asking Eastman if they are willing to lengthen the hem...but my understanding is they are not as amenable to design changes as Aero.

Gary wouldn't even change the Luftwaffe label.