M51 field jacket?

[MattOravik]

I lust got this in the mail. Not the era I collect but it was only $20 so I bought it. I thought it was an M65 field coat but it appears to be dated 1957. It has nice airborne insignia. One unusual thing is that the top pocket flaps are sewn down. Should I undo that so I can get in the pockets? It doesn't feel like there's anything in them.

 

-Matt.

[Laury Allison]

Nice field jacket! Good older example with color insignia.

 

The pocket flaps were most likely sewn down to make them lay flat. Soldiers often do this to present a sharper appearance and they usually don't carry anything in those pockets anyway. I used to have the pocket flaps and epaulets sewn down on the shirts for my dress uniforms. I've had the buttons on the pockets of my BDUs removed and replaced with velcro too (actually made them last longer...the heavy starch from the cleaners would wear them out where the buttons were if you didn't).

 

I would leave them sewn shut if it were mine...just my opinion though.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Laury

[Jason G]

Same goes for me. I'd leave them sewn down since the soldier likely did it himself, thus it's 'original' to the jacket.