Original 1943 Dated British Army Denim Battledress Blouse - Size 8

A rare original war dated British Army Denim Battledress Blouse clearly dated 1943 and in good condition.

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 features a full set of green coloured revolving shank buttons which are all held in place with the correct brass split rings. At the waist a steel buckle is fitted and is held in place with two brown-green plastic buttons. The jacket has also been fitted with original period lance corporal stripes which set it aside from other examples.

Inside the jacket the original label is present and reads 'Overalls Blouses Denim'. It states the size as No.8 which will fit up to a 41" chest. Below this the 1943 date is present as is the War Department broad arrow marking.

The jacket is in good condition for its age with only limited signs of washing and use. It has clearly been issued but is still very wearable and displays well. This is of course a 77 year old pre owned piece of vintage workwear and therefore may have small issues commensurate with its age.

A nice, hard to find war dated example of a British Army Denim battledress jacket in a larger, wearable size.