Vintage 1960s French Police Patrol Goatskin Leather Coat

A superb 1960s French police patrol coat, constructed from exceptionally substantial black goatskin and built as serious cold-weather service outerwear. With its long double-breasted cut, fixed insulated lining and considerable weight, this is an impressive example of post-war French service leatherwear.

Coats of this type were well suited to winter patrol duties, where protection from prolonged exposure to cold, wind, rain and snow was important. The long leather shell provided considerably greater coverage than a conventional uniform jacket, while the overlapping double-breasted front helped reduce exposure through the centre of the body. Combined with the thick insulated interior, the result is a genuinely substantial winter coat.

The leather is the defining feature. Cut from very heavy black goatskin, the hide displays a tight, finely pebbled natural grain throughout. It is exceptionally substantial in hand, combining the strength and durability required of working service outerwear with the characteristic flexibility and distinctive surface texture of goatskin.

The construction is direct and purposeful. The long double-breasted body is complemented by broad lapels and sweeping raglan-style shoulders, creating a practical shape without unnecessary decoration. Two angled welt hand pockets are positioned at the front.

The double-breasted front fastens with four large black domed buttons, each with distinctive incised detailing across its face. Adjustable leather wrist straps with matching black buttons finish the cuffs.

The black finish remains remarkably consistent throughout, retaining a deep appearance with the distinctive natural grain of the goatskin clearly visible. There are light areas of genuine surface abrasion across the shoulders, giving just enough evidence of age and service without detracting from the exceptionally well-preserved overall appearance.

Inside, the coat is heavily lined for cold-weather use. A substantial cream acrylic pile lining provides insulation through the body, while the sleeves are lined in blue cotton. The smoother cotton sleeve lining reduces unnecessary bulk through the arms and allows the coat to move more easily over clothing while retaining the considerable warmth of the pile-lined body.

The interior also retains its original crowned shield label with stylised “B” monogram, an attractive surviving period detail.

This is a genuinely heavy coat. The combination of substantial goatskin, long double-breasted construction and thick acrylic body insulation gives it considerable weight and makes it particularly well suited to winter wear. It has a distinctly purposeful character, with the emphasis firmly on protection, durability and practicality.

Condition & Preservation

Very good vintage condition throughout and particularly well preserved for a working service coat of this age.

The heavyweight goatskin remains strong, supple and structurally excellent, retaining substantial body and its distinctive tight natural grain throughout. The leather remains remarkably substantial and presents extremely well.

There are some light areas of abrasion and surface wear across the shoulders, as clearly shown in the photographs. These are consistent with genuine age and use and have deliberately been preserved rather than disguised. They do not compromise the strength or structural integrity of the leather.

The deep black finish remains particularly well preserved across the remainder of the coat, with the natural pebbled character of the goatskin clearly visible.

The four large black front buttons remain present and in very good order, together with the buttoned leather wrist adjusters and other fittings.

The fixed interior is also very well preserved. The cream acrylic pile remains full and substantial, while the blue cotton sleeve lining presents very well. The original crowned “B” label remains securely in place.

The goatskin has undergone specialist leather cleaning in our workshop before being carefully re-waxed using our Heritage Workshop Blend leather conditioner. This has replenished the protective wax layer of the leather, helping restore its resistance to moisture and weather while preserving the original grain, finish and genuine areas of age-related wear.

The treatment has restored depth and lustre to the black goatskin without giving the coat an artificially restored appearance. The result is a very clean, strong and highly wearable vintage service coat that still retains the character of its original working life.

A remarkably substantial example of 1960s French service outerwear, combining exceptionally heavy goatskin, serious winter insulation and a beautifully preserved original appearance.

Key Identifying Features

• 1960s French police patrol coat
• Exceptionally heavy black goatskin leather
• Tight, finely pebbled natural goatskin grain
• Deep, consistent black finish
• Long double-breasted construction
• Four large black domed front buttons
• Distinctive incised button detailing
• Broad lapel collar
• Raglan-style shoulder construction
• Two angled welt hand pockets
• Adjustable buttoned leather wrist straps
• Fixed insulated winter lining
• Thick cream acrylic pile body lining
• Blue cotton sleeve lining
• Original crowned “B” lining label
• Light period abrasions across the shoulders
• Genuine naturally developed surface character
• Exceptionally substantial winter construction
• Specialist leather cleaned in-house
• Re-waxed with our Heritage Workshop Blend leather conditioner
• Very good vintage condition throughout
• Strong and fully wearable

Garment Measurements (Laid Flat)

• Chest (armpit to armpit): 26"
• Raglan shoulders: 22"
• Raglan sleeve length (neck to cuff): 33"
• Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 18.5"
• Back length (collar seam to hem): 33"

Best suited to approximately a 48" chest, equivalent to a modern 2XL. The coat has a generous big and tall fit with good length through the body and sleeves. Please compare the measurements with a similar garment you own to ensure the best fit.