Scarce Original French Army Model 1944 Battledress Jacket

A rare original French Army Model 1944 battledress blouse in excellent unissued condition.

This pattern of jacket was introduced in November 1944 as part of the new pattern uniform to equip the reforming French Army. This example is an early first pattern jacket which makes it even more rare. It features the wider waist belt and no hooks at the collar which denote this. The second pattern with collar hooks and a narrower waistband was introduced in 1945 which dates the jacket well. 

The jacket is made from a green coloured cotton drill which is a heavy, hard wearing fabric. The design is very similar to the British battledress jacket being a short blouson style jacket with a belt and epaulettes. All the buttons are the stamped metal type used on French military clothing during this period and are all marked 'Equipment Militaires'. 

Inside the jacket the original size label is still present to the neck which reads '42'. The Paris maker's stamp is also present to the inside pocket which again bears the size. The jacket will suit around a 38" chest and when laid flat it measures - 

Chest - 22 1/2"
Waist - 16 3/4"
Inside arm - 19 1/2"
Outside arm - 24"
Shoulders - 18"
Length - 21 1/2"

The jacket is in excellent condition with no real signs of previous wear or use. It appears to be unissued and displays extremely well. Please study the pictures and bear in mind that this is a vintage, pre-owned item which may have small issues commensurate with age. 

A nice original example of this rare pattern of jacket which is in fantastic condition.