BACKGROUND: In October 1940 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler traveled to Norway to inspect SS personnel temporarily stationed there to evaluate SS winter clothing in anticipation of the inevitable invasion of Russia. This primary evaluation led to the introduction of test Anoraks in December 1940. Further testing and design alterations occurred over the next couple of years resulting in the production of the fur lined anorak in January 1943. The early pull-over style anoraks proved unpopular with the troops as they were too heavy and hot without enough ventilation. As a result a new pattern anorak, with a full length, button up front closure, was introduced in early 1944, and manufacture of the earlier pattern was discontinued. With the fall of Germany’s Italian allies as a result of Mussolini’s deposition and imprisoned on July 25TH 1943 and the subsequent Italian unconditional surrender to the allied forces on September 8TH 1943 the Germans appropriated large stockpiles of Italian clothing and equipment, including camouflage material which they utilized in the construction of assorted garments including the winter anoraks.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Later pattern, (circa 1944), full length, fur lined, water repellent, cotton duck construction anorak with the machine roller printed Italian camouflage pattern to the exterior in random splotches in shades of green and brown. The anorak features a vertical, eight mis-matched/replaced button front closure with an overlapping wind flap and an integral hood. The anorak has two non-pleated patch breast pockets and two diagonally angled slash hip pockets all with scalloped button down flaps (all pocket buttons are missing). The anorak has a tunnel looped fit adjustment elastic at the waistline but the elastic has been removed. The straight cut non-adjustable cuffs have had the internal, grey rayon storm cuffs with a tunnel looped elastic ends removed. Both the cuffs and the bottom edge of the tail skirt have dual-ply hems and the bottom edge of the tail skirt bottom has a small vertical slash to each outside seam. Both of the armpits have a small, opened, horizontal ventilation slash. The anorak has an integral, rabbit fur lined hood with four rows of reinforcement stitching and a tunnel looped drawstring to the forward edge. The hood drawstring is not intact. The hood is large enough to accommodate a helmet. The interior of the anorak is fully lined with some holes present. The anorak shows moderate/heavy usage and wear overall that includes stitch repaired patches, edge wear to the hems and tearing to the outer fabric. The anoraks were cut large to fit over the standard service uniform and this example would roughly fit a size 52" chest. Of Note: Photographic examples of this style anorak can be seen in M. D. Beaver and J.F. Borsarello’s book, Camouflaged Uniforms of the Waffen-SS on page 195.