Larger Sized WWI uniforms?

[QuitsAverage]

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.

 

[MastersMate]

FWIW, here is the size tables from the 1917 USN Uniform Regs..

 

 

[MastersMate]

FWIW, here is the size tables from the 1917 USN Uniform Regs..

 

 

[mrwocco]

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.

[mrwocco]

another

[hbtcoveralls]

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

[USARV72]

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.

[world war I nerd]

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.

[world war I nerd]

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.

[littlewilly]

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

[world war I nerd]

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.

[QuitsAverage]

Interesting thanks for all the info

[TrenchRat]

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

[hmmca]

This is great information, hoping to find a 42 or 44 chest and 38 pants. So your saying theres a chance!........

[JMMimiaga]

 

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.

[Sorcerer1]

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

[AustinO]

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!

[I Hate Moths]

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"

 

[ScottG]

We have a 42 Long at the Michigan Military Heritage Museum. Belonged to a PVT in the 26th Engineers. Scott

[Dave]

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.

[eaglerunner88]

What size chest do you think the Babe was?