A superb vintage late 1940s or early 1950s German two-piece suit in outstanding condition, made by 'VEB Herko Sonneberg' from a medium/heavy-weight firmly-woven wool fabric in dark navy blue with off white pinstripes. The double-breasted jacket has quite strongly padded shoulders, sharply pointed peaked lapels, fitted waist, flapped lower pockets, & 4 x 1 single button fastening set at the same point as the top button on a button-two DB so it still has a high gorge; it is fitted with dished, marbled early plastic buttons & fully lined in navy rayon with ivory striped sleeve linings. The trousers are full-cut & wide in the leg, with double inward pleats, side waist adjusters with blued steel buckles, button fly with inner bearer tab, brace buttons with rear rabbit ear tabs, full depth 2 1/4" turn-ups, and welted side slip, flapped front cash & rear pockets. Some photos have been tweaked for clarity. 'VEB Herko Sonneberg' was a state-run men's clothing (Herrenkonfection = Herko) factory in Sonneberg, former East Germany, established in the immediate post-war years to produce quality menswear, apparently primarily for export to gain hard currency.
Accessories not included.
Please study the photographs carefully - they form an important part of the description.
Size: Suggested 38" Regular - shown on a mannequin with a 38" chest.
All measurements are external, taken with the garment laid flat, to be doubled where appropriate (with approx. metric equivalent):
Jacket Chest - armpit to armpit: 21" (53.3cm)
Shoulder to shoulder: 17 3/4" (45cm)
Shoulder to cuff: 25" (63.5cm)
Armpit to cuff: 17 1/4" (44cm)
Waist: 19" (48cm)
Back length - base of collar to hem: 30 11/4" (77cm)
Trouser waist: 16 1/2" (42cm) [1 1/2" to let out]
Inside leg: 29" (74cm) [nothing to let down without using the turn-ups]
Outside leg: 41" (104cm)
Rise - crotch seam to waist: 12" (30.5cm)
Leg width at hem: 9 1/4" (23.5cm) - were originally approx 10 1/2", see below
Condition:
In really excellent, virtually as new condition overall, evidently seldom worn - the trouser legs have been narrowed at some point; the fabric inlay all remains to let them back out if desired but whoever did the alteration was careless opening the seams & has cut the fabric on the original stitch-line in a few small places (example shown in close up), so an increased seam allowance may be required - the turn-ups may have been altered at the same time from the typical half-depth Continental style to the extra-deep full turn ups as there is a faint crease line visible across them. Has been thoroughly steamed & brushed prior to listing.
I have a no returns policy - please check the above measurements and compare to a similar garment of your own before buying - no refund offered for items that don’t fit.
