Hello,

I'm new to the forum and hoping the experts in this group can help me answer a couple of questions.  I have two USMC Field Jackets that I'm trying to correctly identify.  I have attached pictures of the jackets marked #1 & #2.  Jacket #1 has my brothers name stamped above the left chest pocket and he entered in the early 70's.  From the research I've done, I think #1 is a P44 without a Gas Flap.  Did the Gas Flap use the three buttons on the inside right side to attach the flap? Also on this jacket, there are no buttons on the sleeves. It looks like the sleeves were let out. Is that normally how the jackets were?

 

Jacket #2 doesn't have his name but both jackets have the same number stamped on the inside collar D5758 (Shown in pictures).  Can you tell me what this number represents? I'm trying to know if this was also his jacket as my dad also served in the USMC began serving in the middle of WWII.  Is this jacket a P41?  Could both of these jackets been left over from WWII or Korea?

 

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!! 

 

Dennis

 

These both look like P41 HBT’s (Herringbone twill) style jackets to me. The number on the inside would likely be a laundry number, I’d assume.

Jacket #1 is Pattern 44, jacket #2 is Pattern 41.

 

Steve

Thank you Steve for confirming the jackets.  Do you have any thoughts on my other questions about the jackets?  There isn't a lot of information online that answers my questions.  Thanks again!!!

So, as has been already stated, the first jacket is a P44 pattern and the second is a P41 pattern. Assuming based on your screen name that your last name starts with a D as well, which would match the interior jacket writing (D5738). The code is most likely your father's laundry number that was comprised of the last name initial and last 4 of the service number. 

 

These jackets were used until supplies were exhausted, so it's not uncommon to see these reserviced in the post-war period.

Nice detective work History Man!!!  That makes sense. Do you know if the Gas Flap would have been attached by the three buttons on the inside of the P44?

 

Thank you for your help!!