Rare Original Early 1950s Belgian Moon & Balls Parachutist Smock

An original Belgian Army parachutist smock in the early 'Moon and Balls' pattern camouflage which dates from the very early 1950s.

Following the Second World War the Belgian Army began designing and making its own uniforms again. The popularity of the Denison smock, which this jacket so clearly takes its influence from, was such that many countries decided to design their own. Like its British counterpart the smock features a printed camouflage pattern with the colours and pattern being not too dissimilar to the British smock of the Second World War. The general cut and design also follows the Denison quite closely with four patch pockets to the front and a fish tail to the rear. Unlike later 1950s smocks, this is an early pattern which features brass press studs to close the pockets and for the fishtail. The cuff is also adjusted with a tab onto buttons which is the same as the British denison. Later Belgian smocks employed a standard barrel cuff. The jacket features a half zip to the front than the denison which is covered by a fly. The zip is metal and the puller is marked 'Riri' who were a prolific manufacturer of zips for many years. 

Inside the smock the original label is present but is worn leaving none of the original details legible. It is a very early style label however and distinctly different to the standard labels used on smocks from 1954 onwards.

When studying the measurements of the smock it is important to remember that like all smocks it is cut wide across the shoulders and chest and is designed to be worn as an outer layer over the top of a uniform. When laid flat it measures - 

Chest - 29"
Inside arm - 22"
Outside arm - 24 1/2"
Shoulders - 22 1/2"
Length at rear - 32"

The smock is in good clean condition with some signs of previous wear and use. Overall it displays very well and all the colours are still strong and bright with no real signs of fading etc. There is a small flaw to the top of one of the sleeves as illustrated. Please study the pictures before purchasing and bear in mind that this is a pre-owned piece of clothing which may have small flaws commensurate with age. 

A nice example of this hard to find early pattern of smock in very good, wearable condition!