Swedish M1909 ‘Livpäls’ Army Field Coat – The Warmest Vintage Winter Wear

Designed by Matts Larsson and manufactured with care and quality by the Swedish Army between the 1930’s to 1960’s, where each coat got a ‘Tre Kronor’ (Three Crownes) stamp as quality approval. This coat is the warmest and coolest vintage winter wear out there. With sheepskin inside, canvas on the outside, two big stylish pockets and the sheepskin lined collar put all the way up results in the intimidating and cozy feel to it. I’ve been outside in minus 20 C with just a t-shirt underneath. I’ve also used it as an underlay for the baby sleeping bag on our 2016 Norway road trip. And tomorrow it could serve as crucial survivalist wear. Who knows, this coat is a lifelong companion.

In the winter of 2011, during a freezing, clear blue-skied and sunny day I walked past a second-hand store and decided to get in and warm myself. Looking around I noticed this coat immediately, got the feeling it was about the right size, looked at the price which was 40 €, payed and got it on immediately. I realized it was vintage military stuff, I saw the quality is from another world back when quality and durability mattered and knew I’ve done a good deal. It wasn’t until recently after posting my short YouTube video about the coat that I got the model name for it, and looked more into the history of the coat. Then I realized it not only looks great, is tough and warm but it’s also a piece of history which I got for a very good price that freezing day years ago.

Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. Photo: Sanjin Đumišić.
Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. Photo: Sanjin Đumišić.
Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. Photo: Sanjin Đumišić.
Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. Photo: Sanjin Đumišić.

On the Screens

This coat has the apocalyptic feel to it and was used in Twelve Monkeys (1995). It looks like the costume designer degraded it and put taped a jacket underneath the M1909 and made a hole in the armpit – or that’s the shape they got it in. Those were the days before Ebay.

Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. In Twelve Monkeys.
Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. In Twelve Monkeys.

Here’s the white ‘Livpäls’ version in the old series of Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump 1969).

Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. in Pippi Långstrump Series.

Below is again the white version, used in a former ice cream factory called Trollhätteglass in Sweden.

Livpäls M1909.

Also appears in Enemy at the Gates, here’s from the ending scenes.

Swedish M1909 'Livpäls' Army Field Coat. In Enemy at the Gates.

Here are further links and texts about the coat

M1909 ‘Livpäls’ at the DigitalMuseum.se

M1909 Swedish Army Field Coat

What do you think?

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9 Comments
  • Lacy Downing
    January 10, 2018

    Omg…!how can I buy this m1909 coat..someone help

    • Sanjin Đumišić
      January 13, 2018

      It’s hard to do, they are rare. But good metropolitan second hand shops or very good second hand military stores might have them. Online stores too, but the shipping will get expensive due to the weight. Good Luck!

      • Kristofer
        December 12, 2020

        What size is your coat? I cannot seem to find a size guide for Livpäls.

        • Sanjin Đumišić
          December 12, 2020

          It’s size 2 (Medium), I’m 180cm and normally built. Hoppas det hjälper & Lycka till!

          • Kristofer
            December 13, 2020

            Tack så mycket! Det gör det verkligen! Riktigt fin jack!

  • E
    January 10, 2019

    Nice to see another fan of this excellent garment! I was wearing mine today and a car screeched to a halt and the driver told me he had one too – the fourth person who’s done this :)

  • Mark Lewis
    October 21, 2019

    Got mine on ebay last week fantastic !

    🐺 “Winter can come”🐺

    😉

  • Kristofer
    December 16, 2020

    Tack! Du har hjälp mig att köpa en liknande jacka! Verkar vara samma färg och storlek 2!

    • Sanjin Đumišić
      December 16, 2020

      Kul! Hoppas du får vargavinter där du är och kan njuta av den. Här på västkusten bidde det ingen vinter i år heller… /Allt Gott