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Sheepskin coat restoration..Or should I say an original first model SS-Parka

Loulounug

Active Member
Dear forum

I'm requiering you'r assistance to find something/someone or some advise about this pretty nice coat


For a bit of history (before talking of the bad side)

When invading Russia (or former Soviet Union), the germans needed a way to protect from Generalisky Winter (same ennemy as Napoléon's story)

We all know the Heer camo parkas such the Sumpftarn camo (or the green one that was use)

overzicht_67853-scaled.jpg

(Image from Militariaplaza)


The Waffen SS got also his own coat, called "first and second" Karkhov parka, made of fur inside
waffen-ss-italian-camo-m1943-charkow-winter-uniform-parka-9968-1-600x600.jpg

(Countestry of Espenlaub militaria)

The main difference between the first and second model was the number of buttons.

But there is a "real" first model of this parka, a bit before the cloth version, it's one made of sheepskin and it was pretty rare

4643061120114330p.jpg

Here is one in wear, by an RKT officer.

And , by some luck, i'v managed to get one from the time.

coat 3.JPG
coat2.JPG

coat1.JPG



But it had suffer some damage from the time and for an past owner to wear it

The damage was before covered by duck tape, and I was exepting an desastrous situation
épaule.JPG



After the duck tape removed, well... I would say that it isn't that bad but it will need something to take care of it
manteau.JPG

(Notice the decoloration due to the ducktape)

Any suggestion or qualified people for a nice restoration of it ?
Let me know
Louis.
 

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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
These jackets were made by taking sheepskin and turning it inside out so that the sheep fur became the lining of the coat. All of that cracking and tearing is a result of dry rot and needs to be replaced . This is costly and doesn’t mean that the jacket can be worn as there may be other areas that are rotting as well . You would be better served to use this jacket as a display item . Also get it off of the mannequin or coat display that it’s hanging on . The weight of the coat will eventually cause the shoulders to have bigger tears and separations.
 

Loulounug

Active Member
Hello B-man

Thanks for the reply

Currently the jacket is on restoration and not hanging on it , there is some cuts on the sleeves to resew

For what my contact told me, the leather is still strong on the coat itself (but feeding it will be done) and it's the only part that was really dangerous


My goal would be to restaure the shoulder to prevent it to get more damaged even if we need to get intro the sheep to stabilise it
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hello B-man

Thanks for the reply

Currently the jacket is on restoration and not hanging on it , there is some cuts on the sleeves to resew

For what my contact told me, the leather is still strong on the coat itself (but feeding it will be done) and it's the only part that was really dangerous


My goal would be to restaure the shoulder to prevent it to get more damaged even if we need to get intro the sheep to stabilise it
Good luck with the restoration . Please post some photos when you’re finished .
 

Loulounug

Active Member
Hello B-Man

My apologies, I'v made a mistake when speaking

About some rotten parts of the coat, he is currently on restoration for this part

I'm looking for someone to do the shoulder part

I know there is some great hand crafters on this website, maybe if one is interested about the restoration.
 

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Hello B-Man

My apologies, I'v made a mistake when speaking

About some rotten parts of the coat, he is currently on restoration for this part

I'm looking for someone to do the shoulder part

I know there is some great hand crafters on this website, maybe if one is interested about the restoration.

What is your location as that will help direct you to someone who will be able to replace the damaged panels.
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
The main difference between the first and second model was the number of buttons.

Just a small addition but "darts" were added to the hood in the second model to improve the fit of the hood over a helmet or field cap (Feldmütze).

Good luck with the resto.

You might want to make contact with Brice (user name Pilot here) as he is THE expert on Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS clobber here.
 

Loulounug

Active Member
Just a small addition but "darts" were added to the hood in the second model to improve the fit of the hood over a helmet or field cap (Feldmütze).

Good luck with the resto.

You might want to make contact with Brice (user name Pilot here) as he is THE expert on Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS clobber here.
Hello Smithy

Sure ! Between the first (the sheepgoat one) and the second and third model is the extention of the hood for a helmet , I'v forget that ;)

Here, to add in, a picture of a young W-SS officer wearing it
(From Wehrmracht Award Forum topic "2 Pocket Parka")
image_3681450 (1).jpg


Notice that the shoulder-boards are lacking to see his rank

Let me know
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
Hello Smithy

Sure ! Between the first (the sheepgoat one) and the second and third model is the extention of the hood for a helmet , I'v forget that ;)

Here, to add in, a picture of a young W-SS officer wearing it
(From Wehrmracht Award Forum topic "2 Pocket Parka")
View attachment 168657

Notice that the shoulder-boards are lacking to see his rank

Let me know

Terrific photo!

I'm nowhere near as knowledgable as Brice but I have an interest in Wehrmacht and especially Waffen-SS outerwear and especially their camouflage gear.

I'll be watching this, great project!
 

Loulounug

Active Member
Hello Forum

A few news


A cut was made to apply a patch of similar leather, with a bit of patina such as the coat.
photo_2024-11-27_16-05-27.jpg



I know that sound bad to restore a coat like this, but as there is no other examples (ony a few) knows, it's better to save the entire coat than let it fall.
If it's was a "common coat" such as the coats in Heer/Luftwaffe service or an "Ledermantel" I would not touch it

But well, this one isn't the common piece you will find in a collection.


Louis.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hello Forum

A few news


A cut was made to apply a patch of similar leather, with a bit of patina such as the coat.
View attachment 169695


I know that sound bad to restore a coat like this, but as there is no other examples (ony a few) knows, it's better to save the entire coat than let it fall.
If it's was a "common coat" such as the coats in Heer/Luftwaffe service or an "Ledermantel" I would not touch it

But well, this one isn't the common piece you will find in a collection.


Louis.
Cheers to you for restoring a rare historic coat .
Regardless of what service wore the coat, it does have some historical significance.
Nicely done !
 

Loulounug

Active Member
Hello Folks

Here is the final of it
Can't go that far without doing damage to the coat

A thanks to an Canadian/Quebec tailor to have achieved the work

IMG_20241209_093959882.jpg

photo_2024-12-09_18-51-48.jpg

photo_2024-12-09_16-00-33.jpg


Have a great day
Louis.
 
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