Original 1964 Dated 1960 Pattern Combat Uniform - AAC Attributed

An original 1960 Pattern Combat Jacket and Trousers which belonged to an officer in the Army Air Corps. 

This uniform belonged to J. S. Ralli who was an officer in the British Army. He was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in 1958 and had a long career in the military. He went on to the Army Air Corps in which he served with throughout the 1960s. He served in Borneo, Malaya and Hong Kong as well as in Germany and other places. When he left the army he was stationed in the Middle East as well as West Africa and clearly had a very interesting career in the military, as well as afterwards. I have a large number of items which belonged to the man also listed and available to view and they give a real insight into who he was as well as his career. This uniform dates from his time spent in Germany in the late 1960s, as is denoted by the 7th Armoured formation flashes to the top of each sleeve. 

The smock is made from a dark olive green coloured cotton sateen and features patch pockets to the chest and lower patch pockets which have an invert pleat to allow them to expand. Long sleeves end in a buttoning barrel cuff whilst the elbow features a double layer reinforcement. The left breast pocket features a stitched section to allow a pen to be held. The zipper is a metal example which is marked 'AZF' to the front which denotes Aero Zip Fasteners as the manufacturer. The jacket has been fitted with 7th Armoured Division formation flashes to the top of each sleeve and an army pilot's wing is fitted above the left breast pocket. Like many of Ralli's garments, the jacket has been customised. In this instance he has had a wax cotton hood added from a wax cotton jacket which is attached by additional loops on the button on the reverse of the collar. He has also added a leather boot lace to the puller of the zip. 

Inside the jacket is a large poachers style pocket to the bottom which fastens with a single button. Both the waist and bottom drawstrings are still present as are the original labels. The right hand label bears the title 'Smock, Combat 1960 Pattern' below which the size is stated as 7 which is designed to fit someone between the height of 5' 11" and 6' 2" with a chest size between 36" and 38". The maker's name of 'J. Mandleberg & Co Ltd' is also present as is the War Department broad arrow marking and the 1964 date. A previous owner's name has been crossed out in ink which suggests that Ralli was not issued this from new. 

When laid flat the jacket measures - 

Chest - 24"
Inside arm -22"
Outside arm - 25 1/4"
Shoulders - 19 3/4"
Length - 34 1/2"

The trousers are also made from a plain olive green coloured cotton satten and feature a First Field Dressing pocket to the right hip and a map pocket to the left thigh. They have reinforced knees, slash pockets to the hips and belt loops. A double ended metal zipper closes the fly and is marked 'FLASH' to the front. 

Inside the trousers both original labels are still present. One label is an instruction label whilst the other is the issue label. The label states the size as Size 8 and the makers name 'James Smith & Co (Derby) Ltd' is also present. There is also the date of 1964 and the War Department broad arrow marking.

The trousers will suit a 36" waist and when laid flat the trousers measure - 

Waist - 18"
Rise - 15 1/2"
Rear rise - 20"
Inside leg - 29 1/2"
Outside leg - 44"
Cuff - 8"

The condition of the trousers is good as can be seen in the pictures. They are very wearable and display well enough but do have some limited signs of wear and use. They still have their factory 'sheen' and are a deep green colour which suggests they have only seen light use and have not been laundered. There is a black mark to the rear as illustrated in the pictures. Please take time to study the pictures and bear in mind that they are a vintage, pre-owned item which may have other small issues commensurate with age. 

A very nice example of the 1960 Pattern Combat uniform complete with Army Air Corps History.   

This is a vintage item which is 'sold as seen'