Original 1949 Dated British Denim Battledress Blouse - Size 3

An original British Army Denim Battledress Blouse dating from 1949 and in a size No. 3.

Introduced at the beginning of the Second World War as a replacement for the earlier fatigues issued in the Great War and inter-war periods, the design closely followed the serge Battledress introduced in 1940 but was made from denim and had removable buttons. This is a second pattern, or 'austerity', version which does not feature the pleated pockets of the first pattern jacket.

The jacket is made from the standard denim material and features pockets to the chest. It is fitted with green coloured revolving shank buttons, sometimes referred to as 'Bachelor' buttons. They are held on with brass split rings to the reverse allowing them to be removed when the garment is washed. 

Inside the jacket the original label is no longer present although there is clear evidence of where it was previously attached. There is a size stamp denoting the jacket as a size 3 as well as a War Department acceptance stamp. This is surmounted by the letter 'A' which denotes 1949 as the year of issue. 

The jacket is designed to fit around a 38" - 39" chest and when laid flat the jacket measures - 

Chest - 22"
Waist - 17 1/2"
Inside arm - 17"
Outside arm - 23 1/2"
Shoulders - 18"

The jacket is in very good condition as can be seen in the pictures. It has next to no signs of previous wear or use and still has a fresh, crisp feel to it. It has clearly not been laundered previously and it displays very well. Overall it is a very wearable jacket but is a vintage pre-worn item so may have small issues consummate with its age. 

A nice original example of a Denim Blouse in good wearable condition.