wdbikemad

Production of issue 68 style (or to be more accurate, 77-78 pattern) smocks and trousers ceased during 1984.......however, in the intervening years a number of surplus suppliers (eg: Silvermans, etc) have continued to offer the smock and trousers in all sizes.......... I suspect that these are still manufactured by the original suppliers to such an order (non-MoD) to the original MoD specifications, hence the lack of any contract number on the labelling........... The question should really be "why bother ?"...........the old lined DPM clothing is still fairly easy to source in good or NOS condition and turns up at most militaria shows and events, plus is invariably permanently featured on Ebay......a bit of hunting around will show that you can still find (large) original smocks and trousers at a number of dealers, such as Feltons, Surplus and Outdoors, etc........ I have a hell of a soft spot for the old lined combat clothing, having spent several years of my life actually wearing the garments in HM service, so hopefully I can be reasonably accurate in my praises and criticisms.........

Nice jackets ! The 1969 example must be from the first production run in olive green, replacing the earlier version in blue-grey. I had a 1970-dated grey MK3 jacket, suggesting that there was some production overrun of both colours....... The green flying kit was gradually introduced to replace the grey as the RAF's role became more tactical....... The flying jacket in grey (and trousers) still carried the MK3 designation........the MK2 ran prior to then and the MK1 going back to the 1950's....... 20-odd years ago now the grey stuff was reasonably common to find....not so today........and the olive green MK3 clothing itself is now becoming scarce (made by Beaufort Air-sea Equipment & ML Lifeguard)....it was changed to green-grey around 1993-94 and manufacture gradually passed over to Cosalt-Ballyclare........quality is still excellent although lacks that classic "period" feel...! Over the years the suit has remained remarkably unchanged in design, and apart from colour mods have generally only been to the labelling and sleeve pen pocket..............

Just noted an enormous pair of green 1960 pattern trousers on Ebay.....labelled and dated 1961...!!! These appear to be a size "Special" (eg - outside the standard size range) and the label bears the name and measurements of the individual for whom the garment was ordered in accordance with regulations........this confirms that the 1960 pattern clothing was under manufacture by '61.......

The British denim clothing is a study in itself.......pre-WW2 denim garments were invariably made in various shades of brown, ranging from a milk-chocolate shade through to a warm tan colour......it seems that the brown shades lasted in production until at least 1940-41, followed by the greens thereafter with an equally wide range of shades from a very greyish green through to olive-brown.........interestingly, over the years I have encountered the odd denim battledress blouse made in a variant material with a distinct herringbone-pattern to the weave (olive-brown in colour) and another made in green-drill......both were British-manufactured garments..... A study of surviving garments has revealed a number of garments commonly found in green cotton-drill manufactured in a more modern green poly-cotton.......these have included the 1960 pattern "Jacket, Overall, Green" and matching trousers....no doubt very late production before these garments were declared obsolete..........

I also recall that within my collection I have a one-piece coverall in green denim that is labelled something like "Overall, Mans & Boys, 1960 Pattern"........the one I have is a sealed manufacturers pattern complete with all tags....from memory, it is made from green cotton-drill (not denim), has rubber buttons, button cuffs and ankle tabs, button-front, no shoulder-straps, side-slits to get to clothing worn beneath, and only one buttoned pocket on the outside of the left-leg.....internally, the garment has a waist-belt complete with a rubber-buckle........I'm not sure if this fastens internally or externally....... Rather interestingly, this working pattern carries both Army & RAF references on the paper stores labels plus has a swatch of blue-grey cotton-drill attached to suggest an alternative RAF-colour fabric for manufacturers reference......I wonder if this was a specific RAF garment available in green or blue or a garment universal in design but available in green for the Army and blue-grey for the RAF...?

I suspect production may indeed have commenced during 1961, but never seen anything dated from this year so far....hence my 1962 guestimate ! Generally, anything British with a "year" in the pattern was not usually in production and on issue until at least a year later at the earliest....

The 60 pattern smock was a revision of the original 1952 pattern......primary modification was the reduction of the smock lining, the earlier model being fully lined similar to a 68 pattern.....the earliest dated 60 patterns encountered are usually dated 1962, possibly suggesting this as the date of introduction...... The early 60 pattern smocks with the 52 pattern sleeve arrangement with the square elbow reinforcement and underarm vents appears to have been manufactured between 1962 and 1965, when the sleeve arrangement was substantially altered in design to improve the fit.....I have examples of the 1st pattern dated up to 1965 and the 2nd modified pattern dating from 1964....so it would seem the changeover occurred 64-65.......so you can fairly accurately date a first pattern smock as manufactured between 1962 and 1965...... Other subtle changes involved a change in the lining material of both smock and trouser around 1964 from cotton-gaberdine to cotton-poplin...... The very first issues of the original 52 pattern smock, trouser, hood and parka made from 1951 to 1952 were produced in cotton gaberdine throughout.....then from late 1952 onwards in cotton sateen, except for the combat cap that remained in gaberdine for the entire production run..... "Swift" brand zips, along with "DOT" and "Lightning", are common to many 1950s and 60s British clothing, including flying kit.....mid to late 60s combat clothing appears to have added "NZ" (Newey Zips) to the list.....and by the time 68 pattern kit was underway "Clix", etc, amongst others....

I meant the British DPM variety when mentioning 40 years old Dave ! I agree with your sentiments entirely......in my unit we weren't ever allowed to wear 'em, although a few field exercises miles from authority soon put paid to that. I found the crap hat good at keeping dust and sun out of the eyes, but it could be a tad uncomfortable for lengthy periods as the inner-flap edges at the front would dig-in to the forehead.......so you always wore a bigger size than necessary to relieve the pressure..... Seems that when initially issued the cap was popular in the field judging from period photos, but usage dwindled by the late-1970's.........

Whilst researching the book on combat clothing, I have come across various news snippets regarding the then-new para helmet.......it seems that trials started during the early 1970's and continued up to the end of the decade........it seems that the chinstrap assembly was a major area of trial and error...... I am pretty certain that the first models (as per the example illustrated) began to appear on issue to regular units around 1980-81 and were certainly in use for the Falklands conflict in 1982......a study of photos from the campaign show that some regulars continued to wear the earlier steel version, plus other troops wearing the new helmet but with the earlier webbing harness fitted, perhaps highlighting the ongoing concerns over the chinstrap assembly....... Trial reports indicate that the PVC/leather harness was insufficiently rigid to secure the helmet correctly (no chin-cup as per the earlier and later patterns), and extensive usage resulted in the PVC outer material hardening and cracking........ Early helmet shells are smooth-finished.....later replaced by a coarse finished shell..........many were unit fitted with the earlier khaki webbing harness until the revised green webbing design was standardised in the mid-late 1980s..... Early covers are as illustrated, lacking the vertical cammo attachment strips.........many of these were subsequently used on the first issues of the GS MK6 helmet introduced during 1986 and they are rare to find today......many early fibre para helmets can be found with home-made DPM or hessian covers fitted.....

The venerable crap hat was introduced during 1972, although trialed from roughly 1970 onwards......made from size 6 (48) through to 7 & 7/8ths (massive)..........I have over 20 of these, including a pin-head size 6.....and I would agree that the larger sizes are a rare find nowadays.......I think the largest I have is a 7 & 1/4........but it is fair to say that sizes do vary amongst manufacturers......I have a size 7 that is bloody large but when compared to an identical 7 by a different manufacturer the other is considerably smaller...and both are NOS..!?!! A stall at Beltring this year had a box full of NOS size 6 & 7/8ths for only £2 each.......I bought a few for the colour & manufacturer variations, including a couple with the adhesive stores labels still attached... Up to around 1978, the crap hat had brown-colour shirting flannel lining to the earflaps.....subsequently changed to green thereafter.....later issues can be found in the newer DPM semi-synthetic materials and colours..... Around 1992, the crap hat was revised in manufacture.....the poplin lining plus the shirting flannel lining to the flaps was deleted, the entire cap now being manufactured throughout in DPM (1992 type) material.....sizing was now metric and a label sewn-in replacing the ink-stamping of earlier issues....... The crap hat fell out of use when CS 95 was introduced, although remains on limited issue to recruits for field training, etc.......not bad for a 40-year old design....

Have a search on line......the pictures are now out showing the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal due for issue from February 2012 onwards...... Looks similar to the Golden version from 2002 but in white metal, different reverse design and a different coloured ribbon with maroon as the base colour....... Issue criteria is similar to the former medal, 5 years service on the qualifying date....... There was earlier rumour that recipients of the Golden medal would not receive the Diamond medal, rather a bar stating "2012" worn on the Golden ribbon and a small rosette to wear on the ribbon bar when medals not worn...... The basis of the above was stated on previous Jubilee medals that issued only a bar to earlier recipients, both medals bearing the same ribbon and obviously, you cannot wear two of the same ribbon even if for different awards...! So, it seems that holders of the earlier Golden gong still serving in the approved issue categories will also receive the Diamond medal.........and when you think about it, particularly for non-military organisations (emergency services for example), trying to establish who had qualified (or not) for the earlier award could be a logistical nightmare to accurately establish..... Nice looking medal....but still has the same crappy hanging arrangement much maligned in the Golden issue.... Should be available for purchase off Ebay soon after issues commence .....!!!!

It's fair to say that the service charities do a wonderful job........and generally the ONLY criteria to benefit is having been in the services....and it usually doesn't matter when, where, or for how long........ Too many ex-servicemen and women are often reluctant to approach an organisation to ask for help......after all, we're all generally a proud bunch in the face of adversity...... All I can say is go ahead and find out.......and do it with your head held high and your integrity fully intact....!:angel:

Somethings in life you never, ever part with....no matter HOW BAD the situation (I've been there...)...... I haven't got the medals that Steve has, and I have the greatest respect and admiration for anyone holding such a range, particularly a Falklands combat medal........I've got three gongs (somewhere), nothing special, just the GSM (NI), Queens Jubbly, and my 22 years of undetected crime medal.........but I always remember that, particularly with the former and latter, it's mine, named to me and I had to serve time and take an awful load of s@*t to receive those.........sure, I can buy replacements, but at the end of the day they're my originals given to me and I want something left to my kids & relatives to know I existed and where I was when I'm gone.......keep 'em Steve !!!!!! You will only regret it in later days.... But in practical terms, complete named medal sets, particularly to para's & with authenticated campaigns, go for a considerable sum nowadays......usually at auction.....never split such an assemble, only sell as a complete lot and via auction through a reputable house (eg: Bosleys, etc)..... Steve - I sincerely hope things improve for you

Introduced around 1962 to replace denim BD......often worn as a summer combat rig as an alternative to the heavy green 60 pattern suit...... The trousers to go with this jacket are termed "Trousers, Overall, Green" and are 100% cotton......they are simple in design with button belt loops, fly and a single patch pocket on the outside of the left leg.......the trousers were often worn as a combat trouser where troops couldn't acquire the green denim tropical jungle pants with the crossover-belt waist fastening..... Collectors may note that the last production of this jacket and trouser were made in olive green polyester/cotton (early 1970's) just prior to the introduction of the lightweight trousers in identical material........

Damn !!! Missed those !!! Mind you, there's such a ton of stuff there you always find something new that was overlooked before......

I have a few DPM smocks of various patterns that are made up from different patterns/colours of material..... On one particular 68 pattern smock the assembler appears to have taken care in ensuring that all outer fabric matched....although the non-matching cammo was used on the inner pocket flaps, etc...... Yet I have a para smock that has pockets in one pattern and the body in another..... The worse example I have of mis-matching is actually a DPM crap hat......the peak is in a completely different colour and pattern to the rest of the cap..... I guess that this just evidences mass factory production, with pockets, peaks, collars, etc, all made up in batches and supplied to the assembly line......tough if your particular garment was near the end of the roll...!!!

I concur Jason.....probable manufacture around 1979-81.......not certain when the sizing changed from the old range to metric but it was around this time.....access to the relevant QM lists would be useful !!! Production of the DPM para smock started around 1977 with issues commencing 77-78...so the older size range was only in use for a year or two.....

I have to agree, Dave.........the cloth was rather thin compared to earlier versions, and the stitching not all that tidy..... It's a funny thing, but the Denison was made right up to Size 8 up to the end of production.......but you rarely see any of the larger sizes in the last pattern for sale.........or being worn in period photos.... It seems that "fashion" was to blame.......the late-60s through to the late-70s saw the Denison worn "short", often "bloused" at the lower edge......so the shorter size range from 1 & 2 (most commonly found) plus occasionally 3 & 4 appear to have been worn by the majority of troops....even if you were 6 foot +.........so it begs the question, where are all the larger size late-pattern Denisons...? Slashed/shredded or sold off to some third-world tinpot regime I guess........?? Compare this to WW2, when the Denison was worn usually in the correct size for the wearer, plus worn "loose" at the lower edge........in the early 1980s a great many NOS wartime Denisons (first pattern) in sizes 7 & 8 were available on the surplus market, many converted from new to full-zip.......rumour has it that they were intended for sniper use.....I bought at least 4 around this time for no more than £25 each...........and the last one I found NOS dated 1942 with a full-zip (from an oversmock) fitted was slashed (but repaired) at the Southsea D-Day show in 1994......and only £35...

Only last weekend I found a Size 6 DPM aircrew jacket for a very reasonable £8...... Note that Aircrew clothing (Mk2A DPM & MK3 green) are sized from 1 to 8 and are grouped in pairs according to height.....so 4 height ranges in small & medium/large body size per pair....

Although only in production for about a year (1970 to 1971) the DPM 60 pattern smock and trousers are not uncommon, even today, which is probably a reflection on the quantity manufactured by James Smith and Cookson & Clegg (the only manufacturers of this version that I have seen).......photos of the British Army from the period 1970 to 1976 show that the garments were in fairly widespread use even after the introduction of the 68 pattern in 1971, many 60 pattern garments being worn in combination with the later pattern smock and trousers...... A mate of mine was issued with a new size 9 60 pattern smock from stores as late as 1984......it was mixed in with a stack of 68 pattern size 9's that had come from central stores..........the bugger wouldn't part with it even then, and within days had wrecked it with dirt, engine oil, etc.....

It's worth noting that the standard army-issue green coverall from the 1960's was a boiler-suit design with the odd pocket here and there, and rubber buttons.........it had no belt........and made from olive green 100% cotton denim......I have a new one in a large size somewhere in my stash.........the RAF had a similar version but made in blue-grey.......this suit was made obsolete in the army around the early 1970's when the polyester version with the small press-fasteners appeared....since replaced by the RAF pattern (in green) with velcro.......although there does exist another version in FR cotton for "air-mechanics" with zipper closures, etc.....

Trials for the 68 pattern combat suit no doubt occurred during 1965-70......with production commencing during 1971....photographic evidence reveals the suit (in DPM) first appearing in service this year replacing the DPM 60 pattern suit introduced a year earlier...... The MoD had been developing the 52 pattern combat suit since introduction and by 1962 introduced the 60 pattern that saw the smock lining reduced and the trousers featuring reintroduction of the lining, earlier deleted in the 53 pattern trousers.... During 1964-65 the smock was further modified by having the sleeves completely redesigned for improved fitting (the oval elbow patch version), but the MoD were already focussed on a new design of combat suit (the 68 pattern) that included numerous detail improvements over the earlier versions.........I should imagine that the trial models of the 68 pattern suit were largely in green, to test the style of the garment and when ready for production were simply made in DPM when this material was approved for universal service use around 1969-70.....

Now gone.......looked genuine to me, although no labeling details mentioned other than NATO size 4.......... Appears near-identical to the production DPM version introduced in 1971, but seems to have rubber "tropical" style buttons fitted throughout, plus buttons inside to attach some sort of liner....? Drawcords appear to be the thicker 1960 pattern cords..... It is entirely feasible that the trials 1968 pattern combat suit was made in green sateen rather than DPM, probably between 1966 and 1970, green being the standard colour of the time. The trails were to evaluate the new style of suit rather than the colouring.........when DPM was introduced circa 1969-70 first production was to the then-production 1960 pattern suit whilst the 1968 pattern was being finalised.....

I am delighted to have two brand new last pattern Denisons that I've owned since 1983........both are size 2, almost identical but different makers (H E Textiles & good ol' James Smith).......they cost me only £20-odd back then....:-\ Rather strangely, I actually have the MoD manufacturing specifications for the late-pattern Denison......can't remember where I obtained them from now...?.........

And for anyone interested, Sabre Sales in Southsea have a fair few NOS Size 5 late-"68 pattern" DPM strides in stock....they are 6 belt-loop type, darker DPM cotton-modal fabric, and new.......and (I think) a very reasonable £15 a pair...... (ps - always ask for Dickie or Bob......they are upstairs in the DPM room in the old flats....!)