Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Officially known as Coat, Parachute Jumper this jacket was won by an Airborne soldier during WWII. This example offered in very good condition is a size 38" and has all original snaps, belt and fully functional original zippers.
What sets this M42 Jump Jacket apart from any other we've ever had is that it was hand camouflaged in the field with green and black paint during the war. The pattern of camouflage paint, the manner in which is lays, appears to have been applied by spray. This application would be consistent with access to a vehicle depot once U.S. bases were established in France (August-September 1944).
A notable feature is that the jacket at one time, before the paint was applied, had a name tag and shoulder insignia patches (evidence of stitching can still be seen). The name tag was clearly present before it was painted or "over sprayed" as the vacant area where the name tag once had been on the left breast has a noticeable silhouette vacant of camouflage paint.
The jacket base material is in the correct cotton M42 color Olive Drab #3. The coat consists of four front patch pockets with two button snaps on each, along with a unique dual-zippered knife pocket located on the upper lapel which was designed to contain a switchblade pocketknife.
Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the uniform, however, the M42 was often reinforced with thicker, tougher canvas on the elbows, crotch and knees. However, this example was never reinforced. The M42 was mostly worn by Paratroops assigned to Airborne units. The M42 was eventually phased out in favor of the M1943 Uniform which was a darker green, OD #7. Despite this, various individuals chose to keep their M42s in order to show their veteran status.
This fine example, of the earliest style, is offered in very good condition with incredibly rare period applied camouflage paint. There is no name or laundry number inside the jacket so we are not able to make an identification, but this is a wonderful example of an incredibly hard to find jump jacket.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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