Swedish Civil Defence 60s M59 Sky Blue Chore Coat - Large D104

At a glance -

• Material: 100% cotton
• Storage: 2 button hip pockets & 1 large internal button pocket
• Closure: Button fastening, up to a turnover storm collar
• Features: Civil Defence / "Civilförsvaret" shoulder patch, adjustable cuffs, internal fishtail
• Colour: Unique sky blue (slightly lighter than photographed)

• Vintage Militaria / Dated 1969
• Genuine Swedish Civil Defence / Civilförsvar Surplus

• Pit to Pit: 24"
• Sleeve Length: 26"
• Collar to Hem: 32.5"
• Suggested Size: Large Regular
• Original Label: Label reads "D104", which going off the Swedish Army's sizes is for a 104cm chest in a short length

All measurements are taken by hand from the actual garment. Original military sizing may differ from modern sizing conventions or the garment's present measurements. Please use our measurements as your primary guide to fit.

Grades -

• Unissued - Sublime, excellent condition. This surplus has been in storage for several decades unissued and is brand new, ready to wear!

Any questions please feel free to ask!

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About This Piece
An absolutely fantastic, stand out piece of Cold War surplus from 1960s Sweden. This is the Civil Defence version of the Army's M59 green field jacket, with the Civil Defence patch sewn across the shoulder. They were issued from the late 1950s through to the 1980s, and most turn up as deadstock today, having never really been used en masse.

Sweden's Civil Defence Board was set up in 1944, near the end of the Second World War, and ran until 1986. Its job was to protect civilians if war came to Sweden, which meant building air raid shelters, planning evacuations and training people at civil defence schools around the country. As the Cold War went on, the focus turned to nuclear fallout and chemical attack, and jackets like this were issued to the staff and volunteers doing that work.

The Lambrino Take
Great work wear, and about as unusual as army surplus gets. Several Scandinavian countries set up civil defence organisations with their own distinct uniforms, but none stand out quite like the pastel sky blue issued to the Swedes. Made on the same pattern as the Army's M59 in a slightly lighter but still very durable cotton, it's as practical now as it was then. Button it up to the collar, adjust the cuffs and pull the fishtail through for a snug fit in harsher weather. Having sat unissued for decades, this one is as good as new.