Eaglehurst

Yes - I am almost certain that these pre-date the DPM version. Interestingly though both carry exactly the same NSNs...

Interesting! Looks in much better condition in these pics than in the original listing...perhaps I missed a trick there! In any case this is one of the last pieces of kit I want to complete my collection.....guess I will keep looking.:red:

Richard - I am looking for one also....but am not sure they were ever produced. I think this parka was produced in very small nos in pre-metric sizing but am not sure the liner was ever produced in pre-metric...

Strange Steve - I saw that too and I too just couldn't bring myself to bid on it. Perhaps THE key piece that I am missing in my collection yet it just didn't seem compelling enough. I may regret that some day but not today....:-D

This looks like a 'third pattern' Denison to me introduced in the early 1950s. The 1944 'second pattern' didn't have the woolen cuffs.

Doh! Sorry to hear that Mark. It does seem that there are examples out there to find. Was there anything else of interest in the stash?

I am sure I recall seeing some sparse pattern mixed in with later pattern at Surplus & Outdoors recently.... http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/outdoor-clothing/desert-camo-clothing/new-vintage-1980-s-pattern-genuine-267132.html

I had always used the rule of thumb that the quilted ones were pre-83/84 and therefore Falklands era whilst the pile line were later versions...however I recall reading something recently that called this into question and that the pile versions were also used pre 83/84 ie Falklands era....

Personally I like the way the 60pattDPM fades...add a couple of period repairs and they really look the part!

You are just whetting our appetities for your book now Steve...

Not terribly newsworthy but I have been looking for one of these in old sizing and in decent condition for a while. Most I have seen are either tiny or have been well worn....

Hmmm - absolutely no insult intended Mark but beware of what you might expect from a 1950s size 'Large'. A 1950s large seems to be a bit different from a 2013 large...at 6'2" and 'cough' stone I cannot even hope to fit into a 1950s large:cool2:

I would imagine that these were in small, medium and large Mark....

Good ole James Smith overcoat: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230927321785?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 I am aware that they made uniforms for a number of purposes - any idea what this would have been produced for- railways perhaps?

Steve - are the NSN and description still legible?

Would be interesting to see correspondence as to how this suit came into existence. As I say it looks like 1950s Groundcrew parka and trousers just sewed together! The example on Ebay looks like a later production version but in the example I have the blue material for parka and trousers are slightly different shades! Look very much like an early prototype version not yet in production and cobbled together for trial purposes...

There was a thread sometime ago now discussing the issue and subsequent rapid demise of CS95 ripstop trousers to complement the ripstop smock. Does anyone have any photos they can post of a pair including the label?

I was hoping that the example on eBay would have a date on the more detailed label...alas no

Sounds good Mark - make sure you post some pictures when you get them...

Excellent Steve - thanks for the info. That would explain why I have not seen any further examples of Manclark manufacture post 61....it would also explain the strange lettering at the beginning of the contract no....

Yep - one of the more unsual ways I have seen of maintaining anonymity!

Not seen one of these before and looks like an early version - perhaps even trial. Has its original cardboard box. It looks very much like the old cold weather Groundcrew Parka sewn to a pair of Groundcrew Trousers - bit Heath Robinson but again this may be a trial version. Interestingly there is another available on eBay currently that looks like a slightly later version with a more complete description on the label. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130849054571?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Nice example of a ROC combat set. The jacket and trousers are made from Gabardine as the orignal 1951 pattern 'Smock Combat' and 'Trousers Combat' were. Interesting to note the attached hood on the Smock though! Otherwise identical to the army issue versions.

Couple of recent acquisitions. A pair of 1954 dated 'Trousers, Combat, Sateen, 1953 pattern'. These, I believe, represent the last variant of the orignal 1951 'Trousers, Combat' (the middle versions being the 'Trousers, Combat Sateen' [usually dated 1953] and 'Trousers, Combat Sateen, 1952 Pattern'), but still retaining the nice 'Swift' brand double zip. Also, for interest, a pair of very early dated 1960 Pattern trousers by the little known manufacturer 'Manclark & Son'. Don't recall seeing any other production runs from them with a different contract number so this may well represent their only efforts for the 1960 pattern line. Interestingly the lining has disappeared in the 1953 variant (I believe both the 1951 and 1952 variants retained linings) but is back again for the 1960 pattern issue. The inclusion of the lining really does make for a very heavy pair of trousers which must have tripled their weight when wet and taken an age to dry out! No wonder so many squaddies used the old denims, or later lightweights (if using the similarly lined 1968 pattern trousers), whenever they could.

Just kidding Steve! But I am amazed at some of the books on specialist subjects....this one in my post above takes the prize though!:wow: