Since few people actually wear them with a liner, the number one complaint about US field jackets has always been "they're too big!". So, we have recreated the early 370B to address that specific "problem".
Field Jackets manufactured during the Summer and Fall of 1943, specs 370B and 370C, have a slightly closer cut than those made from 1944 to present. As soon as troops began receiving M43's in large numbers (Fall 1943), they complained that the jackets were too tight when wearing the pile liners underneath. So, on Dec. 31, 1943, the QMC revised the patterns, increasing the chest measurements 2" and 1" to the circumference of the upper arms. This was called "Pattern B" and is stamped on the spec labels (or occasionally in the neck) so quartermasters could easily identify them during issue. The change was instituted after all 370B's and a large percentage of the 370C jackets had already been completed and issued. These enlarged sizing proportions were used on all future models of M43/ M50/ M51/ M65 Field Jackets as well as most present day aftermarket coats.
Other features:
Teflon: As with other armies of the period, the QMC spent a great deal of time and effort attempting to create wind and water proof fabrics for their field uniforms. The sateen of the M43 was a decent material, but there are simply limits to what cotton can do. In the 21st Century, we have more options available than they did in 1943. So, in order to increase the performance of our field jackets and trousers, we had the cloth treated with Teflon water repellent. It's colorless and does not change the feel of the fabric, but our uniforms now shed water as well as cotton possibly can. No, it wasn't available in 1943, but it's literally invisible. Yeah, I know- just knowing it's there is bound to upset someone's time warp. I think I hear a tiny violin somewhere...
Authenticity: A select few, elite Living Historians (no one else will care) will wring their hands and duel to the death on social media over whether these "early" jackets are appropriate for their impression. The fact is that they are absolutely correct for all WWII displays. They were and are not rare- production numbers were substantial- several hundred thousand being manufactured before the switch to Pattern B. And there is another, quite obvious factor- one cannot distinguish them from the later jackets anyway without a tape measure and a size chart.
This M44 Field Jacket is a WW2 Impressions Reproduction.
The Jacket, Field, M1943 was the outer shell field or combat garment that replaced the earlier Jacket, Field, Od also known as the M41 jacket. The Army found the M41 jacket to not be up to the task of protecting troops from colder climates. Furthermore efforts were afoot to standardize the official combat uniform throughout the Army.
The army discovered just how expensive it was to produce and issue so many different types of uniforms for the regular Army, as well as airborne, mechanized, armored, and other special troops. The M43 Field Jacket begin widespread use in the Army in the summer of 1944 worn by replacement soldiers being trained stateside, and then in the European Theater of operations in the Fall of 1944. Since then this uniform eventually saw use by both Army and Marines at various cooler areas during WWII. Photos can be found of GIs wearing the M43 field jacket while fighting during the frigid Battle of the Bulge, while marching all over Germany in 1945, and also by Marines wearing them in the Pacific just prior to the Japanese surrender. This jacket also saw use by Army GIs and Marines during the Korean conflict in 1950/51. The jacket was so successful that it was mass produced with only minor modifications as with the M1950 and M1951 field jackets. It wasn't until the development of the M65 field jacket that this design was finally retired, and even then the M65 has many throwbacks to it's grand pappy, the M43 jacket. Many other countries copied the M43 field jacket with slight variations during the late 1940s and 1950s.
This uniform was specifically designed to be made from expensive densely woven windproof cotton sateen which resulted and dramatic wind-chill protection. However, the jacket sizing was designed to allow for layering of other garments and sweaters to provide further thermal protection. The Liner, Pile was specifically designed to be worn as a separate liner (we don't currently offer) for the M43 field jacket. Ours is the best available replica M43 jacket on the market. All the other replica versions lack the significance, color, weight, weave, buttons, cut, and other details of the original, except ours. We follow original contractor specifications that we keep on file, as well as original samples in our collection. We follow the authentic period styling for fit and drape.
This field jacket is made from 100% custom-made-to-original-spec windproof Cotton Sateen with a cotton poplin lining. We had these fabrics made for us since they are not available commercially. The fabric was dyed using actual mil-spec dyes matched to the shade of OD#7 as seen on original M43 uniforms. We also use custom cast and colored authentic buttons. They also include all authentic inspection labeling. and fitting label. The cuff has the authentic gusset. The pockets are sized and located on the body correctly.
New Condition
with Patches