Vintage Montreal Tramways Coat Workman Uniform Overcoat 1930s

$575.00

Brand Poppy's Vintage Clothing

This is a rare item -  a vintage Montreal Tramways coat that would have been worn by a worker, possibly a conductor.  The Montreal Tramways Co was formed in 1911 and was dissolved in 1951.  Though acquisition, they formed a private monopoly for tramway transportation on the island of Montreal, which dominated public transit from the early 20th century until the 1950s.  Judging by its style and the manufacturer’s label, I believe that this vintage Montreal Tramways coat dates to the 1930s, although it could be a little later (early 1940s).  This vintage Montreal Tramways coat is made of heavyweight wool in a muted greyish green colour with a charcoal grey wool lining.  There are 6 brass buttons arranged in a double breasted fashion on the front plus a button under either collar so that the neck could be closed - all buttons are marked Montreal Tramways Co with the MTC logo.  There is a small button on the left sleeve cuff but the button is missing from the right.  There is a separate belt that probably had been across the back (see photo).  The label on the interior pocket of this vintage Montreal Tramways coat reads “The Workman Uniform Co. Ltd Montreal”.  The Workman Uniform Co. was founded in 1878 and specialized in military uniforms.    

Sizing: No size is indicated, and although this vintage Montreal Tramways coat should fit a medium to large size (US size 40-42), please rely on the following measurements for fit (please take the thickness of the wool and the style of this vintage Montreal Tramways coat into consideration):

Shoulders: 19 1/2” across shoulder seam-to-seam 

Sleeves: 23” from shoulder seam, but the cuff has been turned in, so really 25”, you just have to re-sew the button

Sleeve Inseam: 16 1/2”/18 1/2”

Chest: 48” around

Waist: 46” around

Overall length: 46", measured flat at the back from the neck seam

Condition: The only signs of wear to this vintage Montreal Tramways coat are the aforementioned missing cuff button, a bit of tearing to the bottom of each of the slash pockets and wear to the lining of the left armpit as well as wear to the lining at the top edge of each of the interior pockets, all very minor and easily repairable (see last two close-up photos).  Otherwise, this vintage Montreal Tramways coat is clean and, especially considering its intended use, without pronounced wear. 

This is not something that you’ll likely see again - usually the buttons were removed from these vintage Montreal Tramways coats and the coat would be thrown away.  Fabulous acquisition for the tramway collector!