Original Early WW2 British Army Denim Battledress Blouse - Large size

Code: 10725

An original early war British Army Denim Battledress Blouse in a rare large size 12 - The largest size denim made during the Second World War!

Introduced at the beginning of the Second World War as a replacement for the earlier fatigues issued in the Great War and inter-war periods, it closely followed the design of the Battledress introduced in 1940 but was made from denim and had 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This jacket is an early issue example which was only made prior to 1942 when it was superseded by the austerity pattern.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.

The jacket features a chrome plated waist buckle which is held on by two stamped brass buttons, as was common with early manufacture denim jackets such as this. As well as this, a full set of butterscotch coloured revolving shank buttons are fitted to the jacket and held on with the correct metal rings.

Inside the jacket still retains its original label which is somewhat washed out. The size can be made out though as No.12 which was the largest size manufactured. It is the equivalent of a size 17 or 18 battledress serge jacket and is designed to fit someone of up to a 44" chest and 6' 2" tall. When laid flat it measures -

Chest - 25"
Waist - 19 1/2"
Inside arm - 20"
Outside arm - 26 1/2"
Shoulders - 17 1/2"

The condition of the blouse is very good as can be seen in the pictures. Whilst the jacket has clearly been laundered on numerous occasions and therefore worn, it still displays very nicely indeed. There are no major issues or flaws with the jacket which overall is a fine example.

A rare opportunity to acquire an early war jacket in the largest size made. They don't get any bigger!