Let's talk about vintage German Bundeswehr parkas

[RAH]

Recently, I purchased via online auction this vintage blue German Bundeswehr parka with it's appropriate liner. It's not in the best of shape, with a few white paint spots on the hood. Thankfully, when the hood is down, they don't show. That said, I bought it for a beater parka, so I'm not too worried about how it looks or how it will wear in the long term. It has some fraying on the sleeve ends. I'm contemplating whether to sew bias tape onto them, probably black, or just leave it and call it vintage charm.

My question though, and the reason I started this thread is, what on earth is the one button for that resides underneath the left front pocket? Anybody have an answer?

It's a warm coat, and longer than my M65, which is nice. The 100 percent cotton outer material does not repel water at all. I am contemplating waxing it come summer, or once again, leaving it for its nostalgic charm.

I'm assuming also that blue coats were for navy personnel. I could be wrong. I believe it was after re-unification that the Bundeswehr went to a camo pattern, Flecktarn.

I hope to hear about your experiences with this fine vintage parka.

 

[Tom71]

Yes, old navy issue. The army had green ones. You can get decent mil-spec repros to this day.
As military equipment they were pretty useless. Too heavy, too bulky due to the thick lining, not waterproof. Back in the day, I was able to get my hand on one of the first Gore-Tex Parkas the army tested and was over the moon.

The button is for parts of equipment that you would button to the jacket to get your hands free. Could be anything from gloves to field-cutlery. Can’t remember exactly, but a lot of stuff had button-holes. The Field-Jackets also had the same button configuration. Nobody ever used it.

 

[Tom71]

Still occasionally wear one too.