Revolutionary coat?

[Snobok]

Hey, I was looking at a coat that was for sale on the e-thing. The seller claims that the coat is from the Russian Revolution or slightly thereafter. The price seems pretty good at ~$55 shipped. However, I wanted to post a picture of it and have those with more experience check it out. I'd rather not waste my money on a copy of a revolution-era coat.

There is very little info on the listing other than the seller's claims, payment details, and the one photo I attached.

Thanks,
Scott

[Jeffrey Meffert]

without more pictures or getting hands on. I understand there were a lot of "revolutionary" uniforms made in 1967 for 50th anniversary events and since they would be 40 years old now, would actually have some patina of age. Is there any sort of money back garuntee?

[DougD]

First, E is not a good source for real 1917-1922 red army items ( alot of fakes though); these overcoats show up now and then, mostly correctly IDd as made for the 1967 parades. Is the seller saying its a real RCW overcoat?

DougD

[Snobok]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Meffert

without more pictures or getting hands on. I understand there were a lot of "revolutionary" uniforms made in 1967 for 50th anniversary events and since they would be 40 years old now, would actually have some patina of age. Is there any sort of money back garuntee?

As far as I know, there is no such money back guarantee. Also, I remember that the seller mentioned in the listing that it was made of horse hair (rather out of place I imagine). I am no expert on revolution-era items, but this smells fishy overall. Here is a quote from the sellers listing (stupid sellers that write in all-caps):

"HIS OVERCOAT IS THE TYPE USED BY THE SOVIETS DURING THE REVOLUTION. THIS COAT CAME FRON THE SOVIET UNION AND IS VERY OLD. IT IS MADE OF HORSE HAIR AND VERY THICK. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS MADE DURING THE REVOLUTION OR NOT BUT IT IS MADE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. THIS IS ABOUT A SMALL MAN’S SIZE. IT WOULD LOOK GREAT IN ANY COLLECTION."

His listing ended several days ago, and he has since offered me the other coats that he has that are like the one in the listing. He mentioned that one of the coats has cranberry red trim and the other has the blue trim as in the attached photo. Again, this coat stinks of being a fake to me.

[RichieC]

Originally Posted by Snobok

The price seems pretty good at ~$55 shipped. However, I wanted to post a picture of it and have those with more experience check it out. I'd rather not waste my money on a copy of a revolution-era coat.

Fifty five dollars seems too good to be true... How does the old saying go?

I believe that a lot of this Revolutionary material was reproduced for the 1967 anniversary parade. It also seems to me that there also is a moderate number these Revolutionary era pieces that previously have, and perhaps are currently being produced in the Russian and Ukrainian "reproduction shops".

Of course this is for the recent reenacting boom, or for historical films.

Sarcastically, I would say that the purpose of deceiving unexperienced collectors has not been overlooked at the same time...

So, if I was in the market for one of these or something similar, I would be spending the time performing some comprehensive homework on this piece, wheather it is fifty five dollars, or five hundred fifty dollars...

In my opinion, I would think that an original is extremely rare, and would command a four figured price if ever put up for sale...

[Snobok]

Yeah, it might be a repro for the 1967 parades, but I am not really wanting to take my chances on this, especially with the lack of details and pictures. Frankly, I am not particularly in the market for one of these, but I stumbled across it on the E and wanted to ask about it before biting.

Thanks for the help. I'll avoid this at all costs.

[DougD]

No, there is no "IF"; this coat was made for the 1967 parade; they all look the same (thus the seller can get them in different pipings!), and while look like the coats from 1918-1924, they are really not the same if you have had in originals. I have sold a few originals, and Richie is correct; they are $1000+, and are quite rare ( in 7 years I have sold maybe 8; all but 2 of those being the non-collar 'zhoupan' style). Maybe Dave will post a few of his originals.

For $55 though, its a bargain for even the 1967 coat; would be a neat winter coat to wear.

DougD

[Snobok]

Originally Posted by DougD

No, there is no "IF"; this coat was made for the 1967 parade; they all look the same (thus the seller can get them in different pipings!), and while look like the coats from 1918-1924, they are really not the same if you have had in originals. I have sold a few originals, and Richie is correct; they are $1000+, and are quite rare ( in 7 years I have sold maybe 8; all but 2 of those being the non-collar 'zhoupan' style). Maybe Dave will post a few of his originals.

For $55 though, its a bargain for even the 1967 coat; would be a neat winter coat to wear.

DougD

Either way, I am not really interested in the coat, but am glad to know that it is for the 1967 parades. If anyone is interested in the coats, they need only contact oldsarge55 on E-thing (I hope thats okay to mention the sellers name). I would go for it, but I need to save the money for more important things right now.

[Jeffrey Meffert]

The armor one is of the Zhoupan type that Doug speaks of. Both, even the GPU kombrig, are very coarse but I couldn't tell you if it's horse hair or just incredibly coarse wool.

[DougD]

Thanks for posting these Jeff; the GPU is such a great one!

These are both wool, the GPU having a higher grade; Zhoupans could be very crudely made, but haver a great feel about them.

DougD