QuitsAverage Posted September 23, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2017 Hello. I was wondering if anyone has ever come across or knows if any larger sized tunics like a 40r were made for enlisted men in WWI. I've for the most part only ever come across uniforms in size 38r max. Would be interested in knowing what some of you guys have seen. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersMate Posted September 24, 2017 Share #2 Posted September 24, 2017 FWIW, here is the size tables from the 1917 USN Uniform Regs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersMate Posted September 24, 2017 Share #3 Posted September 24, 2017 FWIW, here is the size tables from the 1917 USN Uniform Regs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwocco Posted September 24, 2017 Share #4 Posted September 24, 2017 Larger sizes do exist. People were a lot more leaner 100 years ago which could be the reason why chest sizes were averaging 36-38 inches. I would think the guys usually went up a size to accommodate wearing a layer of undershirt + collared shirt underneath the tunics/coats. not my photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwocco Posted September 24, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 24, 2017 another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbtcoveralls Posted September 24, 2017 Share #6 Posted September 24, 2017 I used to own a pair of size 42 WWI doughboy pants, they were very moth eaten but still enough of a novelty that I had no problem selling them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted September 24, 2017 Share #7 Posted September 24, 2017 Have some large" human size" WWI uniforms worn back in the 80's 90' at living history displays. Would guess most large sizes are in collections and not going anywhere. Have the Army sizes for WWI but no way to post them,IIRC, there was one 44 in a hundred. Today the " fat boy tax" will be high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted September 24, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 24, 2017 Both the 1911 and 1917 U.S. Army Woolen & Cotton Service Coats were available in the following 18 sizes: Note: All "Stout" sized coats had larger neck & waist measurements. Note: All "Long" sized coats were made longer in the sleeves and in the coat's overall length was longer. 1-Regular: 33 inch chest 2-Regular: 34 inch chest 3-Regular: 35 inch chest 3 1/2-Long: 35 inch chest 4-Regular: 36 inch chest 4 1/4-Stout: 36 inch chest 4 1/2-Long: 36 inch chest 5-Regular: 37 inch chest 5 1/4-Stout: 37 inch chest 5 1/2-Long: 37 inch chest 6-Regular: 38 inch chest 6 1/4-Stout: 38 inch chest 6 1/2-Long: 38 inch chest 7-Regular: 40 inch chest 7 1/4-Stout: 40 inch chest 7 1/2-Long: 40 inch chest 8-Regular: 42 inch chest 9-Regular: 44 inch chest In 1918, when the 1918 Service Coat was adopted, the size schedule for service coats was revised. The older size 1-Regular coat was abolished and a new coat size,10-Regular: 45 inch chest, was adopted. Service coats of either a smaller or larger size than those listed in the prevailing regulation size schedule had to be special ordered from one of the Quartermaster Corps clothing depots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted September 24, 2017 Share #9 Posted September 24, 2017 I should add that according to statistics, the average WW I Doughboy was 22 years old and unmarried. He was 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighed 141.5 pounds. He also had an average of only 6 years of formal education. Out of each 100 men in the AEF, 13 were regulars, 10 were National Guard and 77 were conscripts. 37% were unable to read, 21% had some education beyond grammar school, 52% were country boys, 10% were African American, 18% were foreign born and 39% were second generation immigrants who hailed from 46 different countries. It was said that a typical infantry company was comprised of all sorts of characters, from of all sorts of nationalities and American types, be proficient in every trade and occupation and contained at least one lunatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlewilly Posted September 25, 2017 Share #10 Posted September 25, 2017 Just looked at my larger size service coats. Biggest size I have is a 42 Regular, in a collection of 100 or so e.m. One officer coat without a size tag also seems to be a 42. Does anybody have information on what size officially was most prevalent in the US Army? MHJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted September 25, 2017 Share #11 Posted September 25, 2017 There are probably some QTMC corps statistics which document what sizes of clothing were issued most frequently. However, I've yet to encounter any of those documents. Based on the fact that the average Doughboy was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed just 141.5 pounds, I would suspect that the smaller chest sizes (33 through 36 inch) were likely more common. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuitsAverage Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share #12 Posted September 30, 2017 Interesting thanks for all the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrenchRat Posted October 23, 2017 Share #13 Posted October 23, 2017 I might add that all the service coats that I have, with a size of 38 or more appear to be unissued. Several of my size 36-37 coats appear to be unissued, with a few that were issued and feature SSI. Practically all of my smaller coats, save one, appear to be issued and feature SSI... TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmmca Posted April 2, 2018 Share #14 Posted April 2, 2018 This is great information, hoping to find a 42 or 44 chest and 38 pants. So your saying theres a chance!........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMimiaga Posted March 24, 2019 Share #15 Posted March 24, 2019 I have a size 40 bridge coat (modern), and at 160 lbs, I hardly qualify as fat. I do, however, have broad shoulders, which I think is fairly uncommon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcerer1 Posted March 24, 2019 Share #16 Posted March 24, 2019 Like an earlier post, in the late eighties and early nineties I had EM breeches, EM m1917 jacket, M1918 overcoat and an officers jacket that all fitted me. I wore it on various occasions for display and commorations. I'm 6ft and something, and a time 85kg (thats about 170 lbs) No need to tell when a couple of years later I offered these items for sale then went very fast....much to my regret now wish I could upload some pictures from then Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinO Posted March 24, 2019 Share #17 Posted March 24, 2019 This past summer I sold a size 42 unissued coat with cutters tags (1918 dated) for over $400 on eBay. Only one I've ever found in that large a size, and possibly the only one I will ever find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Hate Moths Posted March 24, 2019 Share #18 Posted March 24, 2019 Here is one that i have. The tag says 40 long , but it seems more like 40 regular as it fits me pretty good. I am 5' 7" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottG Posted March 25, 2019 Share #19 Posted March 25, 2019 We have a 42 Long at the Michigan Military Heritage Museum. Belonged to a PVT in the 26th Engineers. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 25, 2019 Share #20 Posted March 25, 2019 Thanks to a fellow forum member, I have an officer's jacket that's easily a size 44XL (it was tailor made in France, so there's no tagged official size). The original wearer was a 6 foot 5 inch man who was in well-built "sportsman-like" physical condition. It's definitely the largest WW1 jacket I've ever owned - or even seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglerunner88 Posted March 27, 2019 Share #21 Posted March 27, 2019 What size chest do you think the Babe was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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