Code: 54964
A stunning original 1962 dated three piece suit complete with a matching 1968 dated waistcoat and trousers.
This suit belonged to Brigadier J. C. Monteith M.C. who was an officer in the Black Watch during the 1930s as well as throughout the Second World War. He is mentioned in the 1935 army list for the regiment and was gazetted to Captain in August 1943 so clearly served during WW2. It was made by Tom Brown of Hanover Square and Eton who are still in business today.
The suit comprises five parts which are all made from a grey-brown wool which features a red and blue overcheck. It is cut in a very traditional manner and could easily pass as an earlier suit in many respects. The jacket is cut with a single breasted, three button front and features a pronounced lapel as was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Being a high quality tailor made item, the jacket features a semi functioning cuff as illustrated in picture 6. Flapped pockets are located to the skirt of the jacket and there is no breast pocket which is an interesting design feature. The rear of the jacket features a single vent which is typical of mid Century sporting coats which often had hacking jacket attributes. Another similar detail is the large flat cap pocket located inside the coat. There are another four pockets to the interior and one of these bears the original maker's label. It bears the tailors name of 'Tom Brown' along with the address of 24/25 Princes Street, Hanover Sq, W1 & Eton. The original owners name is also present as is the manufacture date of 19.3.62. The jacket is in good wearable condition and displays well. There are signs of wear and use including a very small hole to the rear and some staining and wear to the lining. There is also wear to the central buttonhole which has been professionally repaired many years ago.
The suit comes with two waistcoats which are made from identical material - The first in 1962 and the second in 1968. Presumably the original owner bought a piece of extra cloth when the original suit was made so he could have extra matching pieces constructed in the future. The waistcoats are virtually identical and both have a six button fastening the front and four welt pockets. The rear of the waistcoats features the usual cinchback belt and buckle often found on waistcoats from this period. The waistcoat which was made with the suit in 1962 does not feature a label whilst the second waistcoat does. It bears the maker's name of 'Stewart, Christie & Co Ltd' along with the address of 86 George Street Edinburgh. The owner's name and the 1968 date are also present. Both waistcoats are in good condition and are totally wearable. There is a small hole to the rear of the 1962 waistcoat which is evident in the pictures.
The fourth part of the suit is the plus fours which were made as part of the original suit in 1962 when it was a three piece. Again, they are made from the same grey-brown coloured wool material with red and blue overcheck. They are also cut in a traditional English manner with a twin pleated front and full leg. Belt loops are positioned around the waist and there are straight slash pockets located to each hip as seen in the first half of the Century before angled pockets became fashionable. The fly fastens with buttons and there is a single rear pocket - both typical British features from the 1930s - 1960s. Inside the plus fours feature a partial lining which is made from a classic striped material. Buttons are positioned around the waist to which braces can be attached. They are in very good condition for their age and totally wearable with some limited signs of wear and use. There is a small flaw to the seat as illustrated in picture 19.
The final part of the suit is the trousers which were made in 1968 - six years after the original suit. It would seem that Brigadier Monteith decided he would like a matching pair of trousers and decided to get an extra waistcoat at the same time. Like the rest of the suit, the trousers are cut in a traditional manner and feature a high rise waist with a fish tail back. The fly fastens with buttons which is a traditional English feature, usually only encountered on much earlier trousers. They feature a twin pleated front, straight slash pockets, a single rear pocket and turn-ups at the cuff which are all features usually associated with earlier suits. The trousers are in worn condition with some small holes to the legs as well as some staining around the crotch.
The suit is a generous size being both broad and tall. It will suit around a 46" chest and a 40" waist. When laid flat it measures -
Jacket
Chest - 25"
Inside arm - 18"
Outside arm - 26 1/2"
Shoulders - 19 3/4"
Length at back - 33"
Waistcoat 1962
Chest - 23 1/2"
Waistcoat 1968
Chest - 22 1/2"
Plus Fours
Waist - 21"
Rise - 15 1/2"
Rear rise - 1"
Inside leg - 23"
Outside leg - 37"
Cuff - 7 1/2"
Trousers
Waist - 20"
Rise - 15"
Rear rise - 21 1/2"
Inside leg - 34"
Outside leg - 47"
Cuff 8 1/2"
All in all, this is an incredible opportunity to acquire a classic British country suit in a larger tall size. It is made from a stunning cloth and has so many early features which means that it can pass as a much earlier suit. A rare opportunity to acquire a five piece British suit!
