ORIGINAL & MINT Spec 45D 3rd Pat. HBT "Fatigue" Jacket w/ Bellows Pockets (40)

Description

ORIGINAL & MINT Spec 45D 3rd Pat. HBT "Fatigue" Jacket w/ Bellows Pockets (40)
ORIGINAL & MINT Spec 45D 3rd Pat. HBT "Fatigue" Jacket w/ Bellows Pockets (40)
Click images to enlarge
Description
This is an ORIGINAL example of the third pattern of the "fatigue" duty jacket which was issued to GI's during the WWII. The jacket is described in Charles Lemons' encyclopedic
Uniforms of the US Army Ground Forces 1939-1945
, Volume 4 at pages 44-52. The third pattern or "Specification 45D" jacket differs from the more prevalent second (45C) pattern in the addition of a pleat in the chest pockets, which was omitted in the second pattern to ease production difficulties, but was found necessary in order to carry K Rations, grenades and other items in these expandable pockets. This is one of the rare instances when the Quartermaster added, rather than deleted, a "complication" to a clothing item. Although intended as a work uniform, the HBT clothing of this and other patterns became the combat uniform of GI's in all theaters of operations.
The jacket is made of dark OD #7 shade herringbone twill ("HBT") fabric with plastic, rather than metal "13-star" buttons. The substitution of plastic was primarily a metal conservation measure. As stated in Lemons, the jacket has two 9.5" x 7" wide pockets with flaps, a five-button closure at the front and a single button cuff.
The jacket was termed "special" due to additional features which were intended to protect the GI from vesicant "blister" gases, including a nearly full length "gas flap" under the front closure and two buttons under the back of the collar intended for the attachment of the "gas toque" worn under the M1 helmet (see images above)
.  The jacket is a size 40 Regular (see image of QM tag above) and is in MINT UNISSUED condition. As is typical of the fatigue clothing, it is oversized and measures 24.5" across the chest and 23" across the hips, with 23.5" sleeves and 30" overall length,
so it will fit a much larger person than indicated by the size tag
.
Here's a rare opportunity for the advanced collector who demands only the best condition items to obtain a third pattern jacket in mint condition. The buyer will have my usual unconditional guarantee of authenticity and a five-day (
not the 14-days that they insert in my listings without my consent
) right of inspection and return/refund privilege, excluding postage.
Condition:
New
Payment
Paypal
Paypal:
PayPal is gladly accepted and is accommodated through the checkout or may be made directly from PayPal's website at www.paypal.com. Your item will be mailed the next business/mailing day after your Payapl payment is received, unless I happen to be out of my office.
Payment Policy:
PayPal: PayPal is gladly accepted and is accommodated through the checkout or may be made directly from PayPal's website at www.paypal.com. Your item will be mailed the next business/mailing day after your Payapl payment is received, unless I happen to be out of my office.
Shipping
Domestic shipping: Weight based Shipping Charges.
Domestic Carriers are: Usps Priority
International shipping: Weight based Shipping Charges.
International Carriers are: Usps Priority Intl
I will ship to:
United States, Worldwide
Weight:
4 lbs.
Shipping and Handling:
Please check eBay's Shipping & Payment tab
Hello! I'm a militaria collector like you and I do this as a sideline to my own collecting.  Nonetheless, I'll handle your order in a business-like and professional manner.  Thanks for your business!
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