Item:
ONSV24NWS098

Original German WWII Bahnschutzpolizei Railway Protection Police Zugführer’s M36 Greatcoat with Eagle & Shoulder Boards

Item Description

Original Item. Only One Available. Bahnschutzpolizei (BSP) (Railway Protection Police) in Germany was made up of full-time and part-time police officers who were employees of the Reichsbahn (state railways). The Bahnschutzpolizei was tasked with railway safety and also with preventing espionage and sabotage of railway property. It was not subordinated to Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei, only the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The BSP was founded in 1939 after a merger of the Bahnpolizei (Railway Police) and the Reichsbahnschutz (Railway Protection Force). The former railway police formed the permanent cadre, while the bulk of the organization consisted of the former railway protection men, railway employees who alongside their day-time job served as a security force.

The BSP was a special police organization (Sonderpolizei) completely subordinated to the Deutsche Reichsbahn. It was not dependent on Ordnungspolizei. During World War II most of the BSP personnel were mobilized and used as a permanent railway security force in the occupied Eastern Europe. As a replacement within Germany, the SS-Bahnschutz, a railway security force under the SS was founded in 1944.

This is a lovely Bahnschutzpolizei M36 Greatcoat with stitched-in shoulder boards denoting the rank of Zugführer (Train / Platoon Leader), which is equivalent to a Wehrmacht Feldwebel or U.S. Army Technical sergeant. The shoulder boards also have the numeral 4 in between the rank pips, indicating the group he was a leader of. There is a lovely Railway Police NCO/EM Sleeve eagle on the left sleeve, period stitched. The buttons are all marked EXTRA FEIN with the stylized "Barred A" of F. W. Assmann & Söhne.

On the left interior pocket is a unit stamping along with a written surname, but they have become too faded to read properly. Under this look to be size and depot markings, which we were equally unable to read, but someone familiar with these markings might be able to decipher them.

The greatcoat is in fantastic condition overall without any extensive moth damage. The lining is well-retained and shows some staining from wear. The right sleeve of the greatcoat has a small field stitching repair.

A fantastic Bahnschutzpolizei greatcoat, the first we have ever offered. Comes ready for further research and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 11"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 20”
Waist: 21"
Hip: 29
Front length: 49"

Overcoats in various forms have been used by militaries since at least the late 18th century, and were especially associated with winter campaigns, such as Napoleon's Russian campaign. The full-length overcoat was once again popularized by the use during World War I of the trench coat.

Stereotypically, overcoats used by the army tended to be single-breasted, while navies often used double-breasted overcoats. Overcoats continued to be used as battle dress until the mid-1940s and 1950s, when they were deemed impractical. However, in colder countries, such as the former Soviet Union, they continue to be issued and used. When more efficient clothing and synthetic fibers became readily available, the overcoat began to be phased out even there.

  • This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
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