BGS Sumpftarn parka - German size questions

Hi and good to be part of this forum, I would appreciate if someone can give me a list of German sizes in U.K. inches or cms please or a link to a size chart, I have been after a BGS sumpftarn parka but unsure as to what the German size system of say 46, 48, 50, 52 etc. would equate to as regards chest size in U.K. terms, also any good U.K. shops to try and get one from [or in europe] would be of great, thanks for any help

The sizing that is in two digits (e.g. 46) is metric already, so you're all set there. However, the Germans have been uncharacteristically inconsistent with sizing. They also use another metric sizing which I've never bothered to figure out as sizing isn't all that important to me. This system often is three digits, but is not a doubling of the normal sizing. Then there is the Bundeswehr with their abstract sizing (there are conversion charts out there, thankfully).

Note that generally speaking for winter uniforms you want at least one size larger than what you take for a summer uniform. A 48 jacket works for me, but a 48 parka is a bit tight when worn over anything significant.

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve, great help

Hopefully you are not a big guy. BGS items over size 50 are hard enough to find, but something in the 56 range is near impossible. Most common sizes are 46 and 48.

Steve

Hi, well just found a nice Sumpftarn parka dated 1972 ?,hasnt been demilitarized, its a very big size GR 27, questions I have are what exactly is size GR 27 in modern UK/German sizes, what rank is the shoulderboards? and does anyone know how to get hold of the Bundesgrenzschutz & Eagle patches for the arm flap? plus do patches differ for different era, anyone with exact dimensions would help, thanks for any help

size label & rank shoulderboards, thanks

Ooooo... you got a very nice one!  Congrats!

I really don't know much about the various non-standard measurement systems that the BGS used.  I think that for this time period it is a 1/2 measurement, so 27 = 52.  You can test this theory by measuring from shoulder tip to shoulder tip.  If it comes out to be 27cm, then I think we have an answer

The rank is, I think, Grenztruppjäger.  They changed things a bit over time, but I'm pretty sure that is the correct name for the rank for this time period.  It is probably closest equivalent to a Private First Class.

It's tough to know what the right one is until you have it in your hands and can hold it up against the stitch pattern on the uniform.  There's a lot of subtle variations, which means the later types might look the same but they are slightly the wrong size.  The arc is the worst offender of this! You most likely need the eagle badge in the upper left corner of the following pic, but none of the arcs that are there. That type



https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/ken-jasper-international-militaria-forums/bundesrepublik-deutschland-1949-present/252374-bgs-bundesgrenzschutz/page26#post4040812

The problem with BGS badging is that they varied them a lot. It is complicated Here's another source to see the different types:

https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2011/04/bundesgrenzschutz-patches-bevo-style.html


Making this more complicated is your parka likely wasn't manufactured with the arc badge, but had it sewn on soon after (the addition of the arc was 1972 IIRC).

Best thing to do is measure the stitch holes for the arc from bottom left to bottom right corners.  Measure the top of the eagle badge and from the top most point to the bottom most point.  That gives you some information to start your hunt!  There used to be a lot of these swimming around on German eBay, not sure about now.  I'll lend you a hand once you have the measurements.

Steve

Hi Steve, thank you very much for the information, its getting late over here so what I will do is have a good look at it tomorrow and let you know measurments etc., thanks again for your help,

I took a peak on German eBay and didn't see anything that looks right for you. At one point I had piles of proper badging but I also had piles of stuff without badging. You do the math I recently relocated my spares and can't think of where they might be. I'll poke around and look for them.

Steve

Hi Steve, I think I might have one on the way, I have measured the sleeve stitching and uploaded a photo with measurments so gives an idea of rough sizes for patches, also I measured from pit - pit on the parka and it comes in at 27" Inches so possibly Gr 27 relates to that ? or just coincidence who knows I have looked and still have no idea of German size system, thanks