*Bulgarian, Cold War Era (1987), Bulgarian People’s Army (БНА) Officer’s Wool Greatcoat (Shinel), Senior Lieutenant Rank, Hristo Botev Factory, Kalofer, Medium*
An original Cold War period Bulgarian People’s Army Senior Lieutenant’s officer’s greatcoat manufactured in 1987 and produced at the state military clothing factory “Hristo Botev”, Kalofer. The coat is constructed from heavy grey wool and retains its original shoulder boards bearing five remaining metal rank stars (one now missing) indicating the rank of Senior Lieutenant, together with red-piped collar patches and a Ministry of Defence contract label dated 1987. The cuffs are finished with three rows of gold officer’s braid, now showing some fraying and looseness from wear. These robust wool greatcoats formed standard winter outerwear for officers of the Bulgarian People’s Army during the later Warsaw Pact period.
The coat is double-breasted and fitted with Bulgarian military star buttons to the front and rear vent. The rear of the coat is finished with a martingale belt and pleated skirt typical of Eastern Bloc officer greatcoat construction. Internally the coat retains its pale blue lining.
The original label remains present inside the garment. One side identifies the manufacturer and reads “ЗАВОД ‘ХР. БОТЕВ’ КАЛОФЕР”, translating to Factory “Hristo Botev”, Kalofer, a known Bulgarian state textile and quartermaster production facility responsible for military clothing. A red “1Б” inspection stamp is also present. The obverse bears “МО”, the abbreviation for Министерство на отбраната (Ministry of Defence), together with a factory logo and a red production date stamp 1987, confirming manufacture for the Bulgarian military during the late Cold War period.
Approx. Measurements – Shoulder width: 50 cm. Overall length (shoulder to hem): 116 cm. Narrow waist.
Historical Note:
During the Cold War the Bulgarian People’s Army (Българска народна армия) was equipped through a network of state textile factories that produced uniforms, equipment and winter clothing under Ministry of Defence contracts. The Hristo Botev factory at Kalofer was one such facility, manufacturing durable wool greatcoats and other uniform items for military use. Coats of this type were worn by officers throughout the 1970s–1980s and reflect the practical heavy wool designs typical across Warsaw Pact armies.
*Condition*
Service-worn example showing signs of age and use. There are tears to the wool beneath the left pocket and to the rear of the coat above the belt line. The gold cuff braid is loose and frayed in places, and the top hook-and-eye fastening at the collar is 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. General wear to the wool is present consistent with service use. The buttons, shoulder boards and internal factory and Ministry of Defence label remains present. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQCE#2972_9512235104
