Original 1945 Dated British Denim Battledress Blouse - Size No. 4

An original British Army Denim Battledress Blouse clearly dated 1945 and in a size No.4.

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 green plastic buttons, the same sort as were used on later war battledress. The interior also features a selvedge section to the rear seam which is a nice additional detail.

Inside the jacket the original label is present and reads 'Overalls Blouses Denim'. It states the size as No.4 and the maker as 'Johnston, Allen & Co Ltd. Kurgan'. Below this the 1945 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 75 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.