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Original 1946 Dated RAF War Service Dress Blouse with LAC Insignia
SOLD
Code: 50490
An original RAF War Service Dress battledress blouse jacket with original wartime insignia dated 1946.
This pattern of jacket came into service in late 1940 listed as 'Suits, Aircrew' before being re-designated 'War Service Dress' in 1943, remaining virtually unchanged. The blouse features the wire style waist buckle usually associated with early manufacture 'Suits, Aircrew' blouses, RAF style scalloped pocket flaps, black horn buttons all round and a pair of hook and eyes to close the neck.
Whilst the jacket is dated 1946 it is identical to those made an issued in the war and could easily pass as an early example due to the wire buckle. The blouse features original WW2 period printed RAF Albatross badges to the top of each sleeve and printed leading aircraftsman badges below this. The badges have clearly always been on the jacket making it a nice collectors item.
Inside the jacket the original label is intact and very fresh still with all the details being clearly legible. The jacket is a size 9 which will fit up to a 40" chest and a 35" waist, so a good size for re-enactment. The War Department ink stamp can also be found inside the jacket and is surmounted with the letter 'L' which is correct for items made in 1946.
The condition of the blouse is very good. It is still a nice deep blue colour and not a heavily worn faded out grey like many offered on the market. The blue indigo lining is still a deep colour also with only some slight signs of wear and washing. The hook and eye in the neck still retain all their original black paint and have clearly never been used. There is one moth hole to one of the sleeves as pictured and another very small one near to the epaulette on one side, but these could be easily repaired if you so wished.
Overall, a very nice original RAF WSD blouse in lovely condition with nice original wartime insignia which displays very well indeed!
