Wrong jerkin?
Simon,
I think the replies to your message are talking about the wrong jerkin. You are refering no doubt to the Battle ( or Assault) Jerkin, made of canvas with pouches in it to replace webbing and separate pouches for assault troops. The others are talking about the Leather Jerkin with blanket lining, often used by drivers in cold weather. There is a book titled "British Army Uniforms & Insignia of World War Two" by Brian L. Davis, in it is described the Battle Jerkin, I believe it is quite a rare find now. There was an article on it in an English militaria magazine recently, but it is not to hand at present.
Talking about the leather one, has anyone else come across a camouflaged one? I bought a new unissued one, a No.2, some years ago, it is a light brown with with what is best described as "air brushed" patches of darker bown and green all over it. It was made in UK in May 1942 and had been released from an Ordnance Depot about 10 years ago.
Richard
|