*Bulgarian, Cold War Era, Bulgarian People’s Army (БНА) Officer’s Greatcoat - Shinel with Lion Buttons and Red Infantry Piping*
A substantial and well-made Cold War period Bulgarian People’s Army officer’s greatcoat, finished in the characteristic heavy olive-brown wool and retaining the distinctive Bulgarian state lion buttons. The coat follows the classic double-breasted military greatcoat pattern used by Warsaw Pact forces during the mid to late 20th century and is identifiable as an officer’s pattern by the high-quality cloth construction, tailored cut and the distinctive Bulgarian state emblem buttons.
The coat features a double-breasted front with twelve large brass-toned buttons, each bearing the Bulgarian socialist lion emblem used by the People’s Republic of Bulgaria following the Second World War. The collar is broad and designed to be worn either open or closed for additional weather protection, while the sleeves incorporate adjustable cuff straps secured with matching lion buttons. The rear of the coat is finished with a long central vent designed to allow ease of movement when marching or riding. In this example the smaller vent buttons that would normally secure the rear split are no longer present, leaving the vent open.
Garments of this type were produced in large numbers for the Bulgarian People’s Army between approximately the 1960s and 1980s, during the Cold War period when Bulgaria was aligned with the Warsaw Pact. The lion emblem reflects the Bulgarian national heraldic symbol which continued to be used in adapted socialist form during the communist era.
The coat is constructed from heavy military wool typical of Eastern Bloc winter uniforms, designed to provide significant warmth in harsh winter conditions. The overall cut remains strongly military in character with broad shoulders, long skirt and practical field design.
Approx. Measurements – Shoulder width: 49 cm. Overall length: 111 cm.
Historical Note:
After the Second World War Bulgaria reorganised its armed forces as the Bulgarian People’s Army (БНА - Bulgarska Narodna Armiya), a member of the Warsaw Pact. Military uniforms adopted during this period were influenced by Soviet designs - such as the Soviet M41 patterns, but retained distinctive national elements, most notably the Bulgarian heraldic lion used on officer buttons and insignia. The officer’s winter greatcoat, known as a Shinel, became a standard part of the uniform system from the 1950s onward. These coats were worn over service dress during winter duties, inspections and ceremonial occasions and were designed to provide protection in harsh winter conditions. Red piping denotes infantry or motor rifle branch service, one of the principal combat arms of the Bulgarian land forces during the Cold War period.
*Condition*
The coat remains in good overall vintage condition with typical signs of storage and age-related wear. All twelve front lion buttons remain present and secure, as do the rear waist buttons, the vent buttons are missing. The lower skirt edge displays a raw, unhemmed finish, which is commonly encountered on Bulgarian and other Warsaw Pact greatcoats. These coats were often issued deliberately long and then shortened to the wearer by unit tailors or the soldier, resulting in examples where the lower edge remains simply cut rather than formally hemmed. Fabric remains structurally sound with no major damage noted. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQD0#2974_7961234985
