Original British Army Ordinary Ranks Collared Shirt - Size 4

A nice original British Army Ordinary Ranks collared shirt dating from the end of the Second World War.

Dress regulations changed in late 1944 in the British Army for Ordinary Ranks. Whilst previously they had been issued with collarless shirts to be worn underneath battledress blouses fastened to the top; the new regulations allowed for a collar and tie to be worn with the blouse collar open. Collared shirts went into production at this point whilst some soldiers had detachable collars stitched onto the collarless shirts they already own.

This example was made with an attached collar and therefore dates from late 1944 at the earliest. It is made from the khaki coloured flannel shirting usually found on issue shirts and features long sleeves with a barrel cuff and a large, typically 1940s spearpoint collar. Dark, chocolate brown coloured buttons are fitted throughout which are typical of late war manufacture.

Inside the neckband of the shirt some markings are still visible including the War Department broad arrow marking and the letters 'R. R. P.' which denote the manufacturer's name. The size is also marked as 4.

These tunic front shirts are generously cut across the chest and shoulders to allow them to be pulled on over the wearer's head. This example is designed to fit a 38" chest and when laid flat it measures -

Chest - 21 1/2"
Inside arm - 21 1/2"
Outside arm - 23 1/2"
Length at front - 34"
Length at back - 38"
Shoulders - 17 3/4"

The shirt is in stunning condition with only very limited signs of wear and use. Overall it displays very well and is still very fresh and bright. Please take time to study the pictures and bear in mind that this is a vintage item which may have small issues commensurate with age. 

A very good example of a late war OR shirt which would be very hard to better!  

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