2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 17, 2016 1:44:34 GMT -5
My regular trips through local Thrift shops when I found another M43 US field jacket. This is around the six or seventh I've found (in 10 years) and this is a very early M43 with the Khaki liner. If you look hard there is slight wear at the neck and fraying at the cuffs. You can just make out a rust stain from a ammo belt. It is beautifully and evenly faded OD. The size is the usual smaller size but thankfully M43s were sized large to go over a sweater, and liner and provide a relaxed fit.
A perfect loaner jacket for small dollars.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 17, 2016 12:15:39 GMT -5
I wish I had luck to find precise items like this in thrift stores. Maybe its just my luck, or lack thereof. I find too many sports jackets that are barely similar, and I find too many things wrong with them to reject them for loaner use. Almost all the jackets have different pocket locations, have full zipper with no lapels, different style cuffs, and are an ugly tan color. I don't mind some errors, but feel color is important. I know a lot of the actual jackets faded to tan over time, but green shades are much more iconic and fit much better for loaner kits. I did manage to find a really good loaner jacket, made by GAP nonetheless, recently. It was wartime shade of green, and looked perfect for loaners. I actually went to contact GAP to find out more, and it was from their 2012 fall line up. I'm going to try to find more using the info I got. Pic I have on hand, I got a comparison shot at home that I will post later. When I remove the breast pocket, I could use it as material to make the cuff straps. This was a find I was very pleased about. Obviously loaner quality, but really good considering the the common of whats out there in thrift stores. Going to definitely be searching for more of these.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 17, 2016 17:56:22 GMT -5
Thrift shop visit are strictly a case of pure happenstance as 85 times out of a hundred visits nothing pops up. Amazingly the women's coats. Bags and even boot areas are worth breezing through as I have had a Mackinaw and an actual M41 show up there as well as mussette bags and a pair of jackboots and even wool Jeep caps! I fight to resist temptations on items that are "close" but alas low low prices often seduce me.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 17, 2016 20:10:50 GMT -5
I know is a big dice role every time you enter the doors, but if I could just have a bit more luck to find more of these, I'd be very happy. Or at least jeep caps and web trouser belts.... Which, now that I'm home, I can post that comparison pic:
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 17, 2016 20:24:02 GMT -5
The tan jacket with web gear,perhaps some epaulets, grime, perhaps some patches will look fine in amongst a batch of good impressions. Over many years of searching I have come across some very close approximations of M41s with the right collars and even epaulets. With the only major thing they lack is the proper liner.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 19, 2016 20:56:39 GMT -5
Just found an amazing treasure at a street fair my daughter was at she has a fashion company (Tuesday scarves if you want to google it!). At the fair I occasionally find cool things amongst a populous who have no clue (or interest) in anything military. The result is the prices are great. When I find anything military there I feel like I have to buy whatever it is to keep it from getting bought by someone who will cut off the sleaves and add glitter! This Sunday I found a really decent A2 leather flight jacket. Army AirCorp as it was cowhide not lambskin. The leather was a bit stiff but no real problems beyond some cool patina and once home I swathed it in leather treatment oils I use in automotive restoration and after two applications it is quite subtle and wearable.
I am absolutely thrilled with it. It even fits! I won't say what I bought it for but it was rescued cheap! Very very cool early Christmas present. Found a wool original Jeeper hat and a NAM era ripstop type 2 jungle jacket in a Large. All great finds.
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