*Bulgaria, Cold War - Dated 1986, Bulgarian People’s Army (БНА) Air Force Officer’s Greatcoat (Shinel), with БНА shield patch, Hristo Botev Factory Kalofer*
An original Cold War era Bulgarian People’s Army (Българска народна армия – БНА) officer’s wool greatcoat manufactured in 1986 and produced at the state uniform factory Zavod “Hr. Botev” – Kalofer. The coat is constructed from heavy brown-green military wool and follows the classic Eastern Bloc double-breasted winter service pattern widely issued to Bulgarian military personnel during the late Warsaw Pact period.
The front closes with two vertical rows of black plastic buttons moulded with the socialist five-pointed star motif typical of Bulgarian military uniform hardware of the period. Two angled lower pockets are present at the waist, while the collar carries branch-coloured patches edged with sky-blue piping, denoting service within the Bulgarian Air Force.
Matching sky-blue piping continues onto the shoulder boards, which are finished with twisted cords in the Bulgarian national colours of red, white and green — a decorative officer’s style shoulder strap typical of late Cold War Bulgarian uniforms.
The upper sleeve retains its original embroidered БНА shield patch, incorporating the Bulgarian heraldic lion over the national tricolour beneath a red socialist star. This insignia identified the wearer as a member of the Bulgarian People’s Army.
Internally the coat retains its original factory label identifying production at “Завод Хр. Ботев – Калофер” (Hristo Botev Factory, Kalofer), one of the principal Bulgarian state garment factories responsible for producing military clothing during the socialist period. The label also carries production codes and a red acceptance stamp dated 1986, confirming manufacture during the final decade of the Cold War.
Approx. Measurements – Shoulder width: 47.5 cm. Sleeve length: 65 cm. Overall length: 116 cm.
History Note:
Following the Second World War Bulgaria became a member of the Soviet-aligned Warsaw Pact and reorganised its armed forces as the Bulgarian People’s Army. Uniforms produced during this period were heavily influenced by Soviet designs but retained distinctive Bulgarian characteristics, including national insignia and unique colour tones in the wool cloth. Heavy wool greatcoats such as this were standard winter issue for officers and personnel across all branches of the armed forces, including the Air Force, and were worn for field duty, guard service and garrison wear during the harsh Balkan winters.
*Condition*
A good original service-worn example. The coat retains its original buttons, collar patches, shoulder boards and BNA sleeve insignia. The wool shows general wear consistent with age and service use. 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. Minor loose fibres and light wear are present across the wool surface. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQD0#2966_2841235704
