USN HBT coat WW2?

[cbuehler]

All,

Just picked up this HBT coat and wonder if the Navy "Gurus" could pick up on this. I have never seen one like it. I am of course aware of the standard Navy HBT's, but this one has black plastic buttons and a USN stencil that I cannot recall seeing before. It has the name stenciled on the front pocket as well as the back ala Marine Corps style. The stampings inside below the neck are size 36 Contract #NXsx 40131.

Is this WW2 or what? Thanks!

 

CB

[Bob Hudson]

That was a late fall or early winter 1943 contract. This was about the time that the Navy realized that sailors taking part in landing operations needed to look more like the Marines or Army (for instance they changed the deck jacket from blue to OD so sailors in Europe would not look like Nazi's during the fog of battle). This may be an early model. Below is a pic of the more familiar Navy HBT shirt.

 

[cbuehler]

Thanks much! I was hoping it to be ww2 and even more pleased that it could be an early one as well.

CB

[Bob Hudson]

Thanks much! I was hoping it to be ww2 and even more pleased that it could be an early one as well.

CB

 

By the way, we have a good thread on Navy Contract Numbers: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=1590

 

If you look at that you will see your shirt's numbers falls into this range:

 

37374 sept. 1943

 

47990 jan. 1944

[craig_pickrall]

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...;t=594&st=0

 

I have a USN version of the P41 Uniform posted at the above link. The shirt has the normal metal open face wheat buttons but the trousers have plastic buttons in OD.

[cbuehler]

I just found that contract listing courtesy of Craig. Thanks all! Regarding just who used these Navy HBT's I would of course assume any personel on shore such as Seabees, Corpsman etc. Most of these coats to not have any USN stencil on the pockets.

 

CB

[craig_pickrall]

UDT wore these uniforms as well. A lot of shore based personnel still wore the blue dungrees. It seems like sailors on hostile islands or those that could come in contact with the enemy were most likely to wear them.