Eaglehurst

Amazes me that I can find a book on 'One Man US Pneumatic liferaft survival kits of WWII' but very little exists for a significant period of British military clothing history ie 1950 - 1980!:-D http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190795604010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Steve - REALLY looking forward to that book of yours..!:-\

They do not fetch the same prices as the olive 60 patts by and large - iirc one sold for £160 late last year. This is versus a size 9 olive smock selling for £350+ on eBay some months ago!:shocked:

Great photos Steve and some intersting new posts! What size in this Canuck para smock?

LOL - thanks Steve...and yes been a bit quiet as of late. Just not acquiring the same amounts of kit as I was last year.... Thanks for the heads up on 'Forces 80'. They have a great website and although I have avoided Facebook like the plague I may give in if there is good banter... Iirc I have a 1953 dated size 6 KF shirt and a 1951 dated NOS size 7 (goodness only knows where they are however) so was curious as to the sizing regime for this issue.

Steve - do you know what the largest size was in the 1950's pattern shirts as per Chevpols examples in the photos?

If it was improved Steve it was not by much! Even the lergest size 9 later examples I have just about fit me at 6'2" and 45" chest (arm length is always a problem with early gear) - and they were supposed to be worn with multiple layers of clothing underneath...

I wouldn't say they are common Steve but they do come up from time to time and will often fetch in excess of £100... I had a mint 'Smock Drab' size 2 iirc sold about two years ago for c.£150. WWII stuff is just not my thing so I sold it on shortly after acquiring it. I do have a friend who is looking for the orginal first pattern camo windproof smock if anyone has one they wish to sell/trade?

Nice piece Steve and they are fetching really good prices these days as well....

Popped over to Sywell, with my lad, on Sunday and sure enough I was greeted with the sight of said Hunter. Beautiful aeroplane and great to see a growing museum like Sywell playing host. Interesting to see that it is the only complete Mk2 left....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other_Ranks

Bear with me Steve and I will try to dig out the 52 Patt parka and see if it has the features you mention. I was give the 'serious talking to' by wifey recently so most of my collection has been hidden away and I confess I can't remember where I put that parka:red:

Go for it! MTP may be flavour of the month but it is still in production...60 Patt DPM is not and will only appreciate in value. 5 years ago I could pick up 59 Patt Denison smocks for £25 - these days they are fetching £150+ :wow: Even modern DPM will eventually become valuable....

You are looking at mid/late 70s at the earliest for these bit of kit. Sizing went metric in early 80s. So, in short, no - not that old....

And some of the Arctic Smock pre-metric or 1st pattern:

Here is an older version of the 'Falklands' parka in pre-metric sizing....

In spite of that the valuations are probably also good for your Arctic Parka...

Tough to say - metric size gear, even the gabardine smocks, don't fetch much - so c.£15 - £25. If it is in the older 1-9 sizing then can be £75+. What size is it?

An interesting example of an Arctic Smock 2nd Pattern or c.1984/85. Has a metric label but no FFD pocket on left sleeve - so this may be an early example from the changeover from early sizing to metric. Although not great photos the material looks like the earlier lighter DPM material also. Front and rear rank tabs and in a decent 190/112 size, manufactured by James Smith Co in Derby.

Interesting - thanks. So would be good to confirm when he was on tour and if he had the bag. Any other takers for a pre-1989 date.

Thanks Steve - my thinking also.- very late 80's c. 1989 to 1990. I also have an OG PLCE bergen dated 91. Not seen any dated before 1990.

Does anyone know when the original first pattern olive green goretex bivvy bags were first introduced into the British Army as standard issue? i have an example from 1991 (see below) - anyone know of earlier examples?

Very nice parka Steve. I am still looking for that issue, similar condition, in a size 9!

I did see that - they are beautifully made parkas. The majority I have seen recently seem to be missing thier labels though - not sure if that is anything to do with them being desirable and therefore making it out of the back door of the stores in the 60s and 70s . I posted a few pics a while ago of an NOS RAF parka I picked up in a size 8. Iirc correctly I don't think I paid more than about £45 for it. That is the issue with eBay these days. Some items seems to go for crazy money whilst others seem to struggle to get a similar market price.....the 1960 Patt size 9 smock that sold a couple of months ago for £375+ is proof of that, whilst I have seen others struggle to make £75!

Good find Steve. I gues the date makes sense although a little later than I would have expected. As you say they would have been building stocks prior to that. Would be interesting to know when the first orders were placed. I recall seeing a sealed pattern gabardine hood with a date of July 1951 so although not certain would likely be around that time.

Best not to show the wife...mine is now numb to the whole milsurp malarky! She has, in fact, gotten quite good at opening the mail and describing the recently arrived items when I am away travelling... I remember your post of the size 5 smock you mention...two size 5s in good nick for £15 is a steal. From what I can tell - Beaver of Bolton only had one contract run of 68 smocks. I have never seen trousers by this manufacturer.