*Bulgaria, Cold War Era, Bulgarian People’s Army (BNA) Officer’s Greatcoat – Infantry Branch Shinel with Lion Buttons & Warrior-Sportsman” (Воин-Спортсмен) Badges*
An original Cold War era Bulgarian People’s Army officer’s winter greatcoat (Shinel), constructed from heavy olive-brown wool and finished with distinctive Bulgarian heraldic lion pattern brass buttons. This impressive full-length military overcoat follows the traditional Eastern Bloc officer pattern widely used across Warsaw Pact armies during the second half of the twentieth century.
The coat features the classic double-breasted twelve-button front, closing with six pairs of gilt brass buttons each bearing the Bulgarian heraldic lion within a rope border. Matching lion buttons secure the shaped rear waist belt, a typical feature of officer-pattern greatcoats designed to give a tailored silhouette when worn over service uniform.
The high standing collar is edged in red-pink branch piping, with matching piping also present to the deep turn-back cuffs and rear waist panels. This branch colour denotes infantry service within the Bulgarian People’s Army. The coat retains its structured officer cut with a fitted waist, rear vent and integral waist belt.
Mounted to the collar are a pair of Bulgarian “Warrior-Sportsman” (Воин-Спортсмен) badges, first class degree. These qualification badges were awarded to soldiers who achieved excellent standards in military physical training and athletics within the Bulgarian armed forces during the Cold War period. The badge design depicts a running figure within a red enamel shield set against a star background, with the Roman numeral I indicating the highest qualification class. The reverse of the badge displays a maker’s mark consisting of an arrow within two concentric circles, the official manufacturer's logo associated with the Bulgarian military insignia factory at Kalofer. This hallmark confirms the badge is Bulgarian-made rather than Soviet issue, although the design closely follows the Soviet “Warrior-Athlete” badge used throughout the Warsaw Pact.
Internally the coat retains its original dark brown satin lining with internal pocket and reinforcement panel to the lower skirt section. The heavy wool cloth and structured tailoring reflect the practical winter uniform design used throughout the Bulgarian People’s Army during the Cold War.
Approx. Measurements – Shoulder width: 48 cm. Length (shoulder to hem): 123 cm. Sleeve length: 66 cm.
Historical Note:
Following the Second World War Bulgaria reorganised its armed forces as the Bulgarian People’s Army (БНА – Balgarska Narodna Armiya), which became a member of the Warsaw Pact and closely aligned with Soviet military doctrine and equipment. Uniforms adopted during this period were heavily influenced by Soviet patterns while retaining distinctive Bulgarian national elements. Among the most recognisable of these was the heraldic Bulgarian lion, used prominently on officer buttons and insignia. The officer’s winter greatcoat, commonly known as the Shinel, formed an essential part of the Bulgarian Cold War uniform system from the 1950s onwards. Designed for winter field service, inspections and ceremonial duties, these coats provided protection against harsh continental winters while maintaining a formal military appearance. Branch coloured piping was used throughout Warsaw Pact armies to identify the soldier’s service arm. In the Bulgarian system the red-pink piping seen on this coat indicates infantry branch service, one of the principal combat arms of the Bulgarian land forces during the Cold War.
*Condition*
The coat remains in good overall condition with strong structure and good colour to the wool cloth. Light service wear is present consistent with age and storage. The lion pattern buttons remain present to the front closure and rear waist belt. The red/pink piping remains intact to the collar, cuffs and rear waist panels. There is a small area of wear and minor damage to the upper rear collar seam, where the cloth shows slight fraying and a small opening. Additionally, the internal hanging loop is present but shows wear at the attachment point. The collar fastening hook is present, with minor wear to the surrounding cloth at the closure point. The interior satin lining shows light creasing and minor wear typical of use but remains complete. The Warrior-Sportsman badges remain mounted to the collar. 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 later shortened by unit tailors or the soldier, resulting in examples where the lower edge remains simply cut rather than formally hemmed. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQEO#2953_8313235732
