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Post by newcomer on Dec 31, 2010 14:47:08 GMT -5
I have a few questions regarding mackinaw coats, as the title suggests. I've searched google, but haven't really found out what I didn't already know.
I know that mackinaws were issued for cold weather, and that there doesn't seem to be a strict guideline on who to issue them to. But what i was wondering is if they replaced the m41 jacket entirely in a soldier's gear, or was it a "supplement" so to speak only for cold weather.
I'm sorry if this seems confusing or if it doesn't make sense, but im pretty much confused.
On a side note, could anyone reccomend a few good books or web sites for research? I found a few, but more would always help.
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Post by whiterook on Jan 3, 2011 16:30:39 GMT -5
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Post by Fusilier on Jan 3, 2011 18:19:08 GMT -5
Doughboy to GI is offten seen as the "definitive" guide ... however, many of the pics are B&W and since it is out of print, it is very expensive. Many other good resources have been published since it was printed and can offer you good infromation as well. >> Anybody who does GI should have this book in their library >> Mackinaws were mostly worn by rear echelon personnel. Drivers,staff etc. As was said,they were never meant as a replacement for anything really. The COMMON jackets worn were the M-41 and M-43.
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Post by whiterook on Jan 3, 2011 19:09:45 GMT -5
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Post by newcomer on Jan 3, 2011 20:00:57 GMT -5
Fusilier and whiterook, ill definately give those books a look when the paycheck comes in, they look to be excellent guides. I was asking about mackinaws because I recently bought one, and wasn't sure if it would be Flaggrantly Wrong or not to use it. Your responses were very informative, so ill be looking out for another jacket instead, as im doing a regular GI. thanks for your help
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Post by whiterook on Jan 3, 2011 21:08:28 GMT -5
I wear my mackinaw regularly in the winter months ... over my m41. Mine is a repro with a khaki duck exterior and a wool blanket interior ... I love it ...
It is not Flaggrantly Wrong by any means ... Alternatively, I wear my long greatcoat, which was also common.
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deacon
Private 1st Class
Posts: 748
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Post by deacon on Jan 3, 2011 22:44:59 GMT -5
Anyone who could get one could wear it. Not an officer, NCO, or enlisted restricted, I wear one as well, but not often.
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Post by newcomer on Jan 4, 2011 1:31:50 GMT -5
Ah, in that case, ill be using it in the months to come, its been freezing in socal lately. Thanks again for clearing up all those questions!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 23, 2011 15:09:56 GMT -5
The Mackinaw in the wool blanket version was a "tween" wars variant and hence most common with career soldiers and the reason you often see them worn by officers and NCOs. Also because they were not common issue to line troops they were often grabbed up by rear eschelon folks who could get their hands on them. They were quite warm and no where near as restrictive in weight and length as the long wool trench coat and easier to distinguish at range from the German long coat. Hence any GI who could get one did and would. Perfectly appropriate jacket for any impression. If everyone in a line unit showed up with one that would look odd but a few scattered here and there is a good thing. The jackets produced during the war eliminated the wool collar. In addition to the Mackinaw There was an Arctic version M41 with a thicker wool liner and somewhat longer length.
Incidently front line troops frequently cut off the lower portions of their GI long coats to reduce the outline that looked like the German Creatcoat to reduce friendly fire incidence. They used the cut off wool for other things. (Wrap boots in the Ardennes) or as supplemental scarves, pads for ruck sacks etc.)
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