Johan Willaert Posted August 25, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 25, 2007 Anyone know when they stopped putting labels on the pocket lining and started stamping that info directly onto the lining itself? I have a pair which is stamped on the lining and I think I see a 1945 date, but cannot make out if it's the Pattern rather than the manufacturing date??? Can anyone verify or show images of readable stampings on said trousers? Also I suspect the trousers with info stamped directly onto the lining seems to have the adjustment tabs facing towards the rear... Thanks, JOhan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 27, 2007 As you will see on the attached photos the sewn label vs the ink stamped label continued through the production run until 1951. I think the label type is more a manuacturer preference rather than determined by MIL SPEC. I have two of the exposed button experimental M1943 Field Jackets. One has an ink stamped label and one has the outline of a sewn label. These trousers were produced under TENT SPEC 371 and I have recorded revisions up to C. The only reversed take up tabs I have recorded are dated 1950 and 1951. 1951 should be the last year of production as the M1951 system was in production by then. The 1950 and 1951 versions were made under the same spec pattern date as 371C but the spec number had changed by then. The take up change probably took place as a general spec change for all trousers rather than a specific change for the M43 pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 27, 2007 TENT SPEC 371 or 371A Probably made in 1943 or very early 1944. I base my date comment on the "early" tan buttons and the limited amount of label data. The one label is the only marking of any kind in the trousers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 27, 2007 TENT SPEC 371B Contract date DEC 27, 1944 The biggest change I see in the spec is the white interior material was replaced with OD HBT and the buttons are the darker "later" brown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 27, 2007 TENT SPEC 371B Contract date DEC 29, 1944 Even though these trousers are made to the same spec there are several differences. The buttons are the metal 13 star design, there is no interior buttons for the suspenders but the sewn in loops are there for the hook type suspenders and there are no take up tabs at the ankles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #6 Posted August 27, 2007 TENT SPEC 371C dated FEB 22, 1945 Contract date APR 23, 1945 The biggest change I see to spec C is the return to the white interior material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LtRGFRANK Posted August 27, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 27, 2007 I have a spec 371-C dated March of 1945. It has the stamped instruction and was rigger altered by sewing on the big cargo pockets. They then sewed the new 51 instructions over the stamped ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 27, 2007 MIL SPEC T-2060 with pattern dated FEB 22, 1945 Contract date NOV 20, 1950 Other than the reversed take up tab there are no noticable differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LtRGFRANK Posted August 27, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 27, 2007 I should ad that mine still has the od material inside for the pockets Etc. So I guess it was whatever the different makers had for material Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted August 27, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 27, 2007 MIL SPEC T-2060 with pattern dated FEB 22, 1945 Contract date APR 3, 1951 Other than the reversed take up tab there are no noticable differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamecharles Posted August 27, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 27, 2007 m43 Hood main view m43 Jacket main view Pocket Label Main label M43 pants Trouser size and main label (inside) under pocket label m43 Pile Main View main label (sorry if i've posted all m43 materials that i've ) Giancarlo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solcarlus Posted August 28, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 28, 2007 hello. Here is one of my models of trousers M 43. regards solcarlus Stock 55-T-34032-30 BROCK (?) MFG Co Dated Nov. 20.1944 Phila O.M. Dépot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share #13 Posted August 28, 2007 MIL SPEC T-2060 with pattern dated FEB 22, 1945Contract date NOV 20, 1950 Other than the reversed take up tab there are no noticable differences. Thanks for the pictures all, but I didn't expect to see examples of every-one's M43... So far 1950 is the earliest date of stamped manufacturer markings on the right side pocket lining... SInce the SPec for these is 1945, are there any earlier ones stamped in the same manner? Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamaham Posted November 8, 2022 Share #14 Posted November 8, 2022 Do m43s have a pocket on the side like the the layer fatigues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamaham Posted November 8, 2022 Share #15 Posted November 8, 2022 Reason I ask is none of the photos show that. Just labels which is fine. If I recall reenactors back in the day would remove the fatigue pockets from Norweigens or US1951s as cheaper versions and then they'd pass at reenactments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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