Austrian Imperial Era, Army Officers Coat, Major Rank
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $450.00

Original era manufacture. Dark blue wool body with orange wool collar, cuffs and piping. Silver brocade cuff and collar decoration indicating Field Grade rank, with a silver star on each collar for Major. Gray cotton lining, with black cotton lined skirts. No moth issues, full complement of domed, silver plated buttons throughout. Size about a 36. Quite likely this coat, and many like it, formed part of the large purchase of Imperial Austrian items by Hollywood back in the 1920's. If you do a search for the Western Costume Research Library, there is a very interesting story about the purchasing of these artifacts for the 1928 Erich von Stroheim directed epic "The Wedding March". When literally thousands of uniforms, hats, swords, equipment, medals, and the Royal Hapsburg Coach, were purchased and sent to Hollywood for the filming. They remained in stock at the costume houses until the early 1990's. I remember when attending the old Great Western Show in Pomona, seeing heaps of Austrian uniforms lying on the floor behind dealers tables. They were there to be rummaged through, seeking that elusive treasure, pay the bill and off you go.