Posted 7 years ago
Pencil-nec…
(104 items)
Just came across this great greatcoat from the first world war, but can't figure out what the "CBU" initials on the buttons stands for. The coat is heavy wool with a flannel lining. Markings at the neck as shown. Condition is like NEW! An amazingly warm coat and just in time for a deep freeze hitting this week!
Anyone know what CBU might stand for?
I should add that the buttons also have the British crown above the 'CBU' initials....
Very nice find.
Military Acronym finder:
http://www.acronymfinder.com/Military-and-Government/CBU.html
Thanks for that link, Celiene, although I have already looked thru similar online lists without finding a likely match. The most appropriate is 'Cluster Bomb Unit', but that ordinance wasn't developed until WWII and this coat was made 20 years earlier.
One interesting feature is that the slash side pockets point backward, forcing the wearer to take a 'parade-rest' position when the hands are inserted. That, obviously, would be of little use in a Flanders trench - I'm thinking that this was a home guard's coat rather than a front-line soldier's, for what that is worth.
Checking back in to mark this solved thru other sources. Turns out "CBU" is an acronym for (paraphrasing in English) the Civil Defense Guard of Denmark (!) and dates from 1943 to 1950, not WW I. Still a great greatcoat! Think I'll put it to use.
I found the folks at GreatWar Forum (google it) to be a wonderful resource when it comes to militaria. Hope this plug is cool, monitors :^) ~ I still love it here best of all!