wdbikemad Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 The first (production) issue British Army combat smock............ Made between 1951 and 1952 in olive-green wind-proof gabardine fabric and fully-lined in the same cloth...........matching hood too ! Hood sizes later changed from "Small" and "Large" to Size 1 and Size 2........... Issued with matching lined trousers, these first-issue "Korean" combat's were light in weight on account of the gabardine cloth used.......but field use found the fabric not robust enough for extended field use.........so, from 1952 onward a change was made to heavier satin-backed cotton-drill ("Sateen") for the outer and windproof gabardine for the lining.......making for a heavier if more hard-wearing set of garments..........at the same point the trousers had the lining deleted ! But in fairness, they were ideal for summer use and in the winter a set of wool-pile trouser liners could be worn along with long-drawers............ Stocks of the first pattern remained on issue until exhausted........although I've got a few pairs of the early trousers the 1st issue smock in gabardine has eluded me for years............but all comes to he who waits and a mis-described item (listed as "1960 Pattern") on Ebay finally provided me with an example in top-class condition and a good size too.......... These were the fore-runner of the 1960 Pattern, and there are a few differences between the two patterns............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaglehurst Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Superb Steve - been looking for one of those for ages...where did you find that? Would be good to see a pic of the smock label as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 Hi Jason, hope you are well :-D It was listed on Ebay of all things at a cheap price but wrongly described as a "1960 Pattern"..............only one photo, but I noticed the light-green buttons (always a clue for the earlier types) so put in a sensible bid.........I couldn't tell if it was gabardine or sateen but wasn't too bothered all told - just looked a nice early example ! But when it arrived and I saw it was gabardine I was delighted as been searching for one of these now for a long time......... It's in really good clean condition too, hasn't been washed and a decent size..............another thing ticked off my (very) small list now of things still to acquire............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward53 Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I saw this and thought about bidding, but in the end I didn't as I thought it was a 53 pattern and I already have a NOS example. It seems I missed out on something really good! I don't mind too much though, as it has gone to the right person and will doubtless appear in his book....(did you spot the unsubtle hint there?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 I saw this and thought about bidding, but in the end I didn't as I thought it was a 53 pattern and I already have a NOS example. It seems I missed out on something really good! I don't mind too much though, as it has gone to the right person and will doubtless appear in his book....(did you spot the unsubtle hint there?) Thanks Edward !! If I want something though, I generally get it !!!!!:-D Luck maybe...........:-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.