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History
Until the late 1930's, the US Army's field uniform consisted of the wool shirt, Service Coat, and the Wool Overcoat. (Yes, the Service Coat was originally the field uniform).
Shortly before the War, attempts were made to develop more effective and practical combat uniforms. The initial result was the M38 Field Jacket, sometimes called the "Parson's Jacket" due to the involvement of General Parson in it's development.
The new Field Jacket was a simple coat made from (supposedly) wind-proof, olive drab colored cotton poplin and lined with wool flannel. It was waist length, had a zipper closure and a storm flap. Two slash pockets were provided on the chest and the cuffs and waist could be tightened via tabs and buttons. The M38 version had flaps on the pockets. The later M41 Jacket eliminated the flaps, added epaulets, and had a slightly wider collar and waistband.
Issue and Use: The Field Jacket was part of the initial clothing issue to all troops serving in the Army, Army Air Forces and the Marine Corps. (The Navy had their own version, made in a dark olive green color.) This was the uniform jacket worn in all theaters during WWII - this is the "correct" jacket for Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany as well as Iwo Jima, Saipan and Okinawa. Although many Army units had largely replaced the M41 with the M1943 uniforms by late 1944 and 1945, a complete changeover was never completed during the War. A few can even be found in photos from the Korean conflict.
Shortcomings: In case you have never handled a real, WWII jacket, the M41 is not a heavy jacket. The troops in WWII also noticed this, much to their discomfort. It's a nice, comfortable, light to medium weight jacket. But keep you warm on a cold November evening it will not. Although the collar can be closed, it is designed to be worn open. The jacket is also rather short, allowing the wind to easily get underneath. Many troops also stated that the shell had a sheen or shine and was too light to offer any concealment quality- so they wore them inside-out. The wool lining was duller in appearance. This was hardly the exception-I've been watching Combat Reels (actual wartime footage) from Normandy and it's amazing how many combat troops you can see wearing them this way- I'd say at least 20%.
Lastly, the material was thin. The cuffs and collars tended to fray easily. Most originals with any amount of wear, will have either damage to repairs in these areas.
Production Variations: The M38 and M41 Field jackets were made by the million and, although the pattern remained consistent, they exhibited numerous variations in materials.
Early production M38 jackets were made from cotton twill and with wool serge for lining. Occasionally an M41 made from twill shows up. Later M38's and most M41's are made from poplin with a wool flannel lining.
The color of the uniforms varied greatly. The most typical shade seen on original, unissued or lightly worn samples is a light olive, almost pea green color. Greener, grayer and browner shades also exist. Well used and, consequently faded, field jackets are often a light tan which leads to demands for beige uniforms- which are not historically correct. For a more in depth explanation and photos of original samples see the khaki page.
If the color of originals fails to satisfy your khaki cravings,
we suggest you lodge a formal complaint with the War Department.
The most common lining fabric is a medium weight, plain woven wool flannel, but some jackets have been observed with heavier melton and serge linings, but none as heavy as that used in Winter Combat (Tanker) Jackets. There is a longer "Arctic" version of the M41 which usually has the heavier lining as well. The color of the lining ranges from pea green to mustard brown. Dull olive shades being the most common.
Zippers were made by several manufacturers. The most prevalent were Talon and Conmar. The Prentice and Crown companies also supplied closures.
Buttons on original jackets come in a variety of colors. Despite the ready availability of original jackets to examine, for some bizarre reason, modern enthusiasts babble endlessly that WWII jackets only used "chocolate" colored buttons. A quick look at a handful of period uniforms will allow one to note that the buttons also came in caramel, butterscotch, and artichoke flavor as well.ATF's New M38 and M41 Field Jackets
These are the closest thing to the real thing hands down. There is no other reproduction currently available that comes close.
I know, the first question will be- "Are they khaki?".
Answer: No. They are olive drab. Number 3 to be precise. I don't give a shit what you saw on TV. These are the same color as WWII jackets.
The only thing the same as the last generation is the thread- and I'm not even certain of that. Overall, these jackets are about 20% heavier by weight. The shell is 100% cotton and the lining is 100% wool. Both are woven to match the original WWII cloth samples I hacked out of precious pieces of our heritage and sent to the commies. (Get over it. They do a better job than the US companies...)
As stated in the rambling above, the buttons are now chocolate brown. Zippers are genuine Talon brand and right opening. The pattern has been tweaked for a better fit. Last and perhaps least, the labels are now much closer to the real thing. Gone is the vinyl looking stuff. Size and spec labels are very close to the originals.New
Imperfections: Despite having an unissued original on hand, and my specifications to the contrary, the manufacturer carried over several errors of previous jackets. These are relatively minor, but maddening for us after having spent nearly fifty thousand dollars on this project. The errors are- top stitching on the cuffs (there should be none), the waistband is 1/2" too narrow (that got confuddled with the Parson's), and the epaulets are 1/2" too short. No big deal to most people, but a few have gotten extremely indignant that they were raped for $125. These will be corrected, on the next run, which will probably be in 2010. Until then, if you do not want to be sodomized, feel free to save $50-60 and purchase one of the polyester bargain jackets from one of the other dealers. Keep in mind, those have all said mistakes, plus half a dozen more. The Parson's are fine.
Washing Instructions: Dry Clean Only! The lining is wool. 100%. It is possible to hand wash in cold water and hang dry. But that means literally by hand, in the sink or a tub. Not on "gentle" cycle in the Maytag. Let's put it this way- would you put your tool in the washer for a hand job? No washing machines! Why is this so hard to comprehend?
Insignia Recommendations:
In garrison, stateside or training in England, the unit shoulder patch and rank insignia was normally worn. Awards were rarely seen, aside from an occasional CIB or Jump Wing pinned on- but this is very unusual. (I have NEVER, EVER seen embroidered awards on an M41.) Paratroopers sometimes wore their regimental "pocket patch". (Yes, Paratroopers were issued M41's.)
For combat troops, no insignia is most typical. Yes, I'd make more money encouraging people to cover their field jackets with all sorts of bling, but it's not correct. By the book, rank and unit patches could (and should have been) on these. However, once the shooting started, big, bright unit patches were found to be a liability. I can personally attest to the ease with which one can spot a 2nd, 45th, or 101st patch at great distances.( I've re-enacted Nazi since I was 13...)
From examining period photos and film, it appears that many units initially wore their insignia into combat- for example, on the LCI's on June 6th, 1944. But after some encounters with the enemy, those pretty patches tend to become scarce. Like by noon on June 7th, 1944. Albeit, a few units seem to have retained their insignia for one reason or another more so than others. If you're trying to do a truly accurate impression, I recommend that you research your specific unit of interest before deciding.
Chevrons: The new trauma revolves around which rank chevrons are "correct". The historically correct answer is- all 5 variations.
1. No chevrons. (Most combat troops knew their NCO's faces and voices- this is better camouflage)
2. Rayon (Most typical & idealized by living historians)
3. Wool
4. Khaki cotton (designed to be worn on the khaki summer service shirt- we do not have these.)
5. Black Ink (There were actually stencil kits issued with a bottle of ink and a brush. Othertimes they were "freehanded.")
New Generation M41 Jacket
Inside out- like they wore them in Normandy...
Same color as
the real thing...
New label material
100% wool lining
Genuine Talon Brand Zippers (right opening)Insignia Sold Separately M1941 Field Jacket
Standard issue Field Jacket worn in WWII. Correct for Army, Air Corps and Marine Corps.
Shell 100% cotton. Lining 100% wool.
Price $125
Insignia Sewing Available: For more details and sewing rates go to the Insignia Sewing page.
DRY CLEAN ONLY!
M1941 Field Jacket
Availability
DRY CLEAN ONLY!
Long Sizes
You may need a long size if you are over 6'2" and or wear a sleeve longer than 36".
If you are unsure of how to determine your sleeve length, click here
M38 "Parson's" Jacket
These are simply the early version of the field jacket. They differ in having pocket flaps, no epaulets and a slightly narrower collar and waistband.
We have had several people really stress out over "who woulda worn these". Answer: The same people who wore the M41- anyone in the US Army, Air Corps or Marine Corps. These are difficult to distinguish in period photos, since most troops tucked the pocket flaps in as they tend to be a nuisance.
We had a few made, in a limited number of sizes. They are marked like WWII uniforms, with the chest size in inches- to the right of that number on the chart below, we have also listed the letter size equivalent. So, if you wear a size in between, like 42R, the order the next size up, which in this case would be a 44R. Shell 100% cotton. Lining 100% wool.
Price $125
DRY CLEAN ONLY!
Parsons Jacket
Availability
430 Rose Ln.
Columbia, KY 42728PHONE: (270) 384-1965
TOLL FREE: (866) 213-3946
FAX: (270) 384-1443Copyright At the Front/CNS, 2002