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USAAF 474th bomb squadron M-41 field jacket

SOLD

Code: J22277

Jacket, Field, Olive Drab, M1941. The M-41 field jacket was developed from the designs of civilian windcheaters and entered service in 1941. Manufactured with a lightweight light olive drab No.2 cotton poplin with a wool flannel lining. It features a front zip behind a buttoned storm flap, two front slash pockets, buttoned adjustment tabs at the waist and cuffs, a notched lapel collar and epaulettes. This examples in well worn condition and a little faded with leather reinforcement on the cuff ends, pockets and collar facing. In addition there is a small stitched repair, some fraying at the lower hem and a few small tears. All the original buttons are complete but the Talon zip is rather corroded and lacks a few teeth at the base of one side. It might be possible to make this work with extreme care but we are selling as 'non working/broken'. Label absent.
The jacket has a leather name patch to 'R.C.Atwell' and a superb quality Australian manufactured cloth 674th bombardment squadron patch. In addition there is an English made 8thAAF patch in heavily mothed condition. Close inspection of the sleeves reveals telltale witness marks of sergeant chevrons at some stage. The 674th BS were part of the 417th Bomb Group attached to the 5th AAF and were based in the South West Pacific theatre as a light bombardment unit during the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns in 1944. Clearly this is at odds with the 8th AAF patch as that unit was based in the UK during WW2. Whilst I am quite happy that all the patches are wartime originals it seems that one or more may have been added at some stage. In view of this the jacket is priced at our valuation of the component pieces. Still a lovely looking jacket. Stock code J22277.