{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-airborne-laundry-number-marked-m1942-paratrooper-jump-jacket-without-reinforcements-with-replaced-zipper-heavy-period-depot-repairs","title":"Original U.S. WWII Airborne Laundry Number-Marked M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket without Reinforcements with Replaced Zipper \u0026 Heavy Period Depot Repairs","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a heavily service-worn and repaired original U.S. WWII M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket in Olive Drab No. 3, retaining its characteristic four-pocket airborne configuration, upper lapel knife pocket, and laundry-number identification beneath the collar. The jacket is an unreinforced example and shows extensive period use, including two large stitched repairs, alterations to the lower pockets, a replacement \u003cb\u003eTALON \u003c\/b\u003ezipper, and the loss of its original waist belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M1942 jump jacket was developed specifically for U.S. Army airborne troops and became one of the most recognizable garments associated with American paratroopers during the early years of WWII. Constructed from lightweight olive drab cotton, it featured four large front patch pockets, angled upper pockets for easier access across the body, and a distinctive upper chest or lapel pocket intended to carry a folding or automatic knife that could be used for emergency cutting of parachute rigging and other equipment. The lower pockets were larger and positioned for carrying additional field items, while the jacket was originally fitted with an integral waist belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example retains all four front pockets, but both lower pockets have been modified. Each has been stitched vertically through the center and along portions of the edges, effectively dividing the original large pocket into two smaller compartments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was certainly a jacket worn during training or combat and then repaired and reissued. There is a laundry number stamped and then inscribed under the collar, appearing to be \u003cb\u003eL0738 \u003c\/b\u003ebut it could also be \u003cb\u003eL0739\u003c\/b\u003e. There are about 78 possibilities under these two, making for a possible deep research project in narrowing down possible IDs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the right waist pocket is a very small and extremely thin remnant of the original Quartermaster contract label. Repeated laundering and wear have reduced the tag to the point that no manufacturer, contract number, size, or date can now be read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo large stitched repairs are present elsewhere on the jacket, including one behind the left shoulder and another adjacent to the left waist pocket. These repairs are substantial and clearly reflect extensive use and maintenance. The front zipper is a replacement marked \u003cb\u003eTALON \u003c\/b\u003eand remains installed in place of the original zipper. The thread used to install the zipper appears very similar to that used in the larger stitch repairs, suggesting that the zipper replacement and at least some of the other repairs may have been carried out at approximately the same time. This is consistent with depot or field repair work, although no surviving repair tag or depot stamp is present to prove the exact location or date of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt is missing from this example, and on both sleeves are three crudely inscribed rank chevrons, certainly added after the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior shows heavy overall wear consistent with extended use, repeated laundering, repair, and alteration. The surviving fabric, pocket arrangement, knife pocket, laundry number, repair stitching, replaced zipper, and missing belt all contribute to the jacket’s long working history. The absence of reinforcing patches identifies it as an unreinforced M1942 example rather than one of the heavily reinforced jackets commonly associated with later airborne combat preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis jacket is particularly interesting for the amount of surviving evidence of use and maintenance. The altered lower pockets, matching-style repair stitching, replaced TALON zipper, laundry number, and postwar sleeve markings make it a strong research piece that preserves the practical history of a heavily worn airborne garment rather than an untouched example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 10.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 24\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 18.5\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 21.5\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 17\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 23\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 29.5\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45542869073989,"sku":"ONSV26WSV065","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7724EC9D-F10C-449A-9245-72D7D4B661DC.jpg?v=1786564997","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-airborne-laundry-number-marked-m1942-paratrooper-jump-jacket-without-reinforcements-with-replaced-zipper-heavy-period-depot-repairs","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}