Original 1941 Dated British Army 1st Pattern Denim Battledress Blouse

A fantastic original 1941 dated British Army first pattern denim battledress blouse in stunning new old stock condition. 

Introduced at the beginning of the Second World War as a replacement for the earlier fatigues issued in the Great War and interwar periods, it closely followed the design of the Battledress introduced in 1940 but was made from denim and has removable buttons.

This jacket is an early issue example which was only made prior to 1942 when it was superseded by the austerity pattern. The most obvious feature of the first pattern jacket is the pleated chest pockets. The material is also a different hue to post-war manufactured items. This example is a fantastic vivid green which is not washed out or worn. A huge stockpile of these jackets was left behind in France following the evacuation from Dunkirk. They fell into the hands of the Kriegsmarine who used them during the rest of the war. 

The jacket features a chromium plated waist buckle which is held on with stamped brass buttons as are often found on early manufactured items. As well as this the jacket is fitted with a set of the correct early war flat type revolving shank buttons.

The original label is still present inside the jacket and is in fantastic condition. It bears the title of 'Overalls, Blouse, Denim No. 2 and the size of No. 3 which is designed to fit a 34" - 36" chest and a 30" - 32" waist. The maker's name is 'J & N. Goldberg' and the year of manufacture is marked as 1941. The month of issue has also been added to the label in the usual way in purple ink and reads 'March'. The War Department acceptance stamp is also present and is surmounted by the letter 'P' which confirms the year of manufacture as 1941.

When laid flat the jacket measures -

Chest - 21 3/4"
Waist - 17"
Inside arm - 18"
Outside arm - 24 1/4"
Shoulders - 17 1/2"
Length - 22 1/2"

The jacket is in fantastic, unworn condition and could be new old stock. It shows no signs of wear or use and would be very hard to better. It is a vintage item however so please study the pictures before purchasing. 

A hard to find early war example which is in fantastic condition. Not only this but it still retains its original issue label which is in virtually perfect condition. This would be very hard to better!