Dealer Information Dealer: Blighty Militaria Location: London, United Kingdom Tel: 07729 917 773 Email: blightymilitaria@gmail.com

Original 1943 Dated RAF Officer's Service Dress Suit - Large Size

Code: 54120

Website: https://www.militariazone.com/ww2-jackets-coats/original-1943-dated-raf-officer-s-service-dress-suit---large-size/itm40736

An original RAF Officers Service Dress suit in good condition which was made by 'Chamberlain & Jones' for Owen Waters in the June of 1943. 

This uniform is the pattern used by all RAF Officers throughout the Second World War and was superseded shortly after the conflict by a three button version of the jacket. This genuine wartime example features a full set of brass kings crown RAF buttons as well as a matching waist belt with brass buckle. Whilst these belts are normally stitched onto the back of the jacket, this one has been made so that it can be completely removed like an Ordinary Airman's jacket. This may have been done to allow the original owner to wear a pistol belt without having the brass buckle underneath it. 

This particular example has a single ring of rank on each sleeve denoting the rank of Flying Officer. They are clearly original to the tunic. There also appears to have been badges fitted to the collar previously, most likely medical branch insignia.

The suit is very well made and the jacket has some nice interior details. A first field dress pocket is located to the skirt and there is a single interior pocket. At the neck is the tailors label which features old gold coloured embroidered writing on a black field which was a label style seen in previous decades and fast disappearing during the 1940s. The interior pocket also features a maker's label. The maker's name is present as is the owner's name of Owen Waters and the date of June 1943. 

The trousers are again typical of the era being cut with a high rise to the waist and wide leg. The front of the trousers are pleated and slash pockets can be found in each side seam. The fly features contrasting caramel buttons and more are fitted around the waist to which braces can be attached. 

The suit is a larger size and will fit around a 40" chest. When laid flat it measures - 

Jacket
Chest - 22"
Waist - 17 1/2"
Inside arm - 18 1/2"
Outside arm - 25 1/2"
Shoulders - 18 1/4"
Length - 31"

Trousers
Waist - 18 1/2"
Inside leg - 31"

The condition of the suit is good and it displays very well. It has clearly been worn and has some damage. This is most notable to the rear of the jacket (picture 11), along the bottom of the bellows pockets (picture 5) and to the crotch of the trousers (picture 14). Please study the pictures and bear in mind that this is a vintage suit which may have other small issues commensurate with wear. 

All in all a nice original RAF Officers SD which would suit both the collector and re-enactor equally well.