Unusual Australian made HBT shirt / jacket

[vintageproductions]

 

 

Does anyone recognize this odd Australian made jacket? It is slightly diffent in color and weight then regular US hbt material. The snaps are brass and painted black. We found one of these years ago in a rag mill and a friend found this one last week. Would love to know what or who they were made for, plus was there ever a pair of pants that went with it? Thanks in advance.

[Gary Cain]

Hi Bob,

 

I have one of these as well and I also have a coverall set made by the same company. My assumption is they were for armor or similar use. I have never seen a pair of pants but based on the coveralls I would have to assume they did exist.

 

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Cain]

I was able to find the coveralls but the shirt is AWOL at the moment. As you can see they were making them at least as early as 1943.

Hi Bob,

 

I have one of these as well and I also have a coverall set made by the same company. My assumption is they were for armor or similar use. I have never seen a pair of pants but based on the coveralls I would have to assume they did exist.

 

Cheers

Gary

[Gary Cain]

the label

[vintageproductions]

Gary-Thanks for the photo of the coveralls. Hopefully some one out there, some day will know what these were made for and used. See you at the SOS.

Bob

[Klaxon]

Hi Bob,

You ever find out what these were used for or by who? I picked up a set at Inspiration in NY in oct. story was they came from an estate sale with a bunch of late WWII USN greens ie HBT trousers, shirts and poplin shirts etc.

The jacket reminded me of a jump jacket with the double snaps at the collar and pocket. Box pleat at the centre back. The trouser are cool as well with long skinny mag pouche from the knee down on each side for an Owen or Sten gun I'm guessing. I'll dig em out and post em so you can see the set. One is dated '44 and one '45. Showed it to few collectors and looked online but nada.

Cheers,

Matt

[Klaxon]

Here's the WWII Aussie suit as promised.

Pic #1 is of the trousers.

First thoughts when I first saw this was para/jump suit.

Anyone have any info or thoughts on this please share them.

Cheers,

Matt

[Klaxon]

Here's what I can only assume is a mag pouch. There is one at the base of both the left and right leg. Looks to be about the right size for a Owen, Sten or even maybe a Thompson.

 

[Klaxon]

Integral suspenders.

[kammo-man]

Very cool.

Never seen this stuff before.

owen

[Klaxon]

Very cool.

Never seen this stuff before.

owen

Thanks O.

Me neither. What's your take?

Cheers,

Matt

[Klaxon]

Here's the man's name, Bussone. It's written on both sides of the waistband. No service/laundry #. Was told he was USN.

[Klaxon]

Here's the shirt with it's '45 dated, printed label.

Inside of snaps read CARR Australia. Collar stand shape is very reminiscent of the M-42 Jump Jacket as are a few other details.

[Klaxon]

Shirt front. Pocket is bellowed on the base and armhole side.

[kammo-man]

Havent got a clue.

Looks like it was designed as a special purpose suit fr sure.

[Klaxon]

Last one. Back detail. You can't see it here but it has the arrow shaped reenforcement stitch detail at the top and base of centre back box pleats very much like that on the M-42 Jump jacket.

 

 

[Klaxon]

Here's the back of my M-42 for comparison. Very similar.

[Klaxon]

Pointed collar stand of my M-42 and snaps for comparison.

[Klaxon]

Havent got a clue.

Looks like it was designed as a special purpose suit fr sure.

 

O,

For sure. I'm thinking Airborne/Special Operations. Makes sense they would make a one piece coverall as well. Wonder if it's button or zip front and if it too has the mag pockets at the trouser bottom?

 

I was able to find the coveralls but the shirt is AWOL at the moment. As you can see they were making them at least as early as 1943.

Hi Gary,

Can you shed any light as to wether your coveralls are button or zip front and if it too has the mag pockets at the trouser bottom?

[Klaxon]

Gary-Thanks for the photo of the coveralls. Hopefully some one out there, some day will know what these were made for and used. See you at the SOS.

Bob

Hi Bob,

I know you were busy with SOS and I hope it was a success so you may have missed me contributing to this ancient post you started back in '08. Curious did you ever find anything out with regards to these Aussie uniforms over the years? They're interesting and from what I've gathered from asking other experts seldom, if ever seen. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Matt

[reuscher]

Yes, the one-piece is a zipper front and has the mag pouches at the bottom of each leg.  In fact, the one-piece is cut almost exactly like the Army one-piece jungle suit except that the lower cargo pockets were moved down a little to make room for the added front internally hung trouser pockets and the additionally added mag pockets.

[Cpl. Punishment]

Adding this to the discussion. I can’t find anything on these.
 

[Klaxon]

On 11/13/2023 at 7:00 PM, Cpl. Punishment said:

Adding this to the discussion. I can’t find anything on these.
 

Very cool. Not seen this 4 pocket model before.  Now we just need to find out who specifically these were designed for. The mystery continues.

[Cpl. Punishment]

3 minutes ago, Klaxon said:

Very cool. Not seen this 4 pocket model before.  Now we just need to find out who specifically these were designed for. The mystery continues.

I agree - we should get to the bottom of who these were designed or made for? They seem to be a rare item with little to nothing known on them; sounds like a great research project.

 

The pair I have came from a boatswain on an LCT from Flotilla 8. The vet’s son gave them to me, but interestingly enough, they are named to a different man from the same LCT unit twice over the chest pockets. 

[Klaxon]

On 11/20/2023 at 10:12 AM, Cpl. Punishment said:

I agree - we should get to the bottom of who these were designed or made for? They seem to be a rare item with little to nothing known on them; sounds like a great research project.

 

The pair I have came from a boatswain on an LCT from Flotilla 8. The vet’s son gave them to me, but interestingly enough, they are named to a different man from the same LCT unit twice over the chest pockets. 

Indeed. Probably above my pay grade but hopefully someone someday cracks the case. I’ve asked some collectors down under and they two had never seen or had any idea of who they were intended for. 

 

Interesting. The set I have were also in with bunch WWII USN uniforms from a  vet’s estate sale.