Bundesgrenzschutz Regenmantel, BGS Rain Coat, circa 1977
This rain coat was a very fortunate find. It is pictured in it's "as-found" condition, which just happens to be "like new"! It is dated 1977 and is complete with the original shoulder boards. It is the perfect finishing touch for a BGS Class A uniform!
The jacket is constructed out of a PVC type canvas with sewn seams that are taped on the inside. In typical BGS fashion, the jacket sports a shoulder cape that is vented. The inside, shoulder cape area is lined in heavy nylon mesh netting. There are zippered vents under each armpit. The coat is double breasted with standard BGS metal buttons that are backed with a small, square, plastic button on the inside of the coat. The coat has reach-through pockets that are made of cloth.
The shoulder boards on the jacket are from a Hauptmann, or Captain in the US. In the BGS, an officer with the rank of Hauptmann would serve as a Hundertschaftsführer, or Company Commander for a Company of about 100 BGS Troopers. The shoulder boards are the button on type and are constructed of white wool with two gold pips. This is the first officer's grade insignia that I have in the collection. Here is a link to a good web page that shows the rank shoulder boards (Schulterstücke) of the BGS from this era: http://www.bgs13-coburg1959.de/Kapp/pages/bgs-memory/dienstgrade-besoldung.html
The jacket is constructed out of a PVC type canvas with sewn seams that are taped on the inside. In typical BGS fashion, the jacket sports a shoulder cape that is vented. The inside, shoulder cape area is lined in heavy nylon mesh netting. There are zippered vents under each armpit. The coat is double breasted with standard BGS metal buttons that are backed with a small, square, plastic button on the inside of the coat. The coat has reach-through pockets that are made of cloth.
The shoulder boards on the jacket are from a Hauptmann, or Captain in the US. In the BGS, an officer with the rank of Hauptmann would serve as a Hundertschaftsführer, or Company Commander for a Company of about 100 BGS Troopers. The shoulder boards are the button on type and are constructed of white wool with two gold pips. This is the first officer's grade insignia that I have in the collection. Here is a link to a good web page that shows the rank shoulder boards (Schulterstücke) of the BGS from this era: http://www.bgs13-coburg1959.de/Kapp/pages/bgs-memory/dienstgrade-besoldung.html
The photo album of this jacket shows all of the small details.............