Eaglehurst

Andy - does it look anything like this? 'Odd' is exactly what I thought about the fabric....almost like the feel of a well worn wax jacket!

Clive - if you have any more of the above could you PM it over to me please? Appreciate it does not cover the 68 pattern but I would appreciate any additional detail on NSN's for Brit clothing in general.

Ahh - thanks Clive - very helpful. And the typo in the list relates to the dangers of using 'drag and copy' in excel!! Seems strange that Airportable's 68 pattern changes from 8405 to 8415. Must be another variant of smock?? And the 68 pattern smock is considered 'Outerwear, men's' whereas the 85 pattern smock is 'Clothing, special purpose'. To be honest though the only thing special about the 85 pattern was it's ability to fall apart.

Keep us posted as this progresses - really interesting! Makes my job look mind numbingly boring.....which, I guess, it is....

I think the 8405 transition to the 8415 numbering is age related. Can't pinpoint exactly but at some point in the 70's (maybe early 80's) the digit changed. Anything physically manufactured after that, even older pattern gear, got the new 8415 designation.

Thanks Clive - that is helpful. Here is a list of what I have in terms of NSNs for variants. The more digging I do the more I think the differing NSNs on the 68 patts I have are Ghurkha related. Would love to know why..... Uniform 1950 - 2010 NSN and descriptions.pdf

No Neil - these are definitely 68 pattern in everything but name. Just can't work out why they have different NSNs....

Very recently I have picked up a couple of 68 pattern jackets but with interesting NSN numbers. The standard NSN numbering system for the 'Smock Combat (1968 Pattern)' or 'Smock Mans Combat' is 8405 99 132 1821 for a size 1 smock up to 8405 99 132 1829 for a Size 9. The two most recent acquisitions have the following numbers and descriptions: 8405 99 132 6086 'Smock Combat (1968 Pattern)' - a size 8 8405 99 132 6079 'Smock Combat' - a size 1 Both seem identical to the 68 pattern in every way except for the NSN numbers. Does anyone have an idea as to what variant of the 68 pattern this may be? Is it, perhaps, specifically made and supplied to Ghurkas? Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated....

In spite of cutbacks in the War Department the British version of the Maginot line proved to be surprisingly effective....

In a moment of supreme geekiness I catalogued most of my 53;60 and 68 patt gear (as well as most of my modern gear) and will get some pictures up on my website soon. I am a big fan of the 53 pattern Parkas orginally developed in response to trying to use old BDs in Korea. They don't make clothing like that anymore!! Having said that the 60 patt stuff is great as well. I am specifcally on the lookout for: - 60 patt smock sizes 1,6,8; trousers 1,3,6,7,9 - 68 patt smock sizes 5,6; trousers 3,6,9 Cheers

Thanks Iain - would love to! However I would have to bring my young lad as well - he is a tank nut (what 4 year old isn't!!)

Hi folks - new to the forum. Specific interest in British Army Comabt uniforms 1953 - 85 and hoping to move up to military vehicles one I have some spare cash c. 2050-2060. Cheers!