Alpha Industries M65 Field Jacket

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the official measurements (and drawings) from the military spec document MIL-DTL-43455K, dated August 2007 (surprisingly recent!). I can't find a newer spec document, so I guess the K version is the last for these coats.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

the most recent versions had a plastic main zipper, this one is dated 2001

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I think this may have been talked about back in the thread, but I'm too lazy to look. Anyone prefer one breast pocket size over another? I know pocket size indicates one era or another. I have one with the smaller breast pockets, and even those can be a hassle to get something out of the bottom of them. I always think I'm going to either rip the stitching from the top corners, or if the stitching is too secure, start a rip in the jacket itself. I can see why the giant ones could be handy, but my arms aren't long or lanky enough.

 

[Doctor Damage]

This appears to be the liner for the M-65 coats, MIL-L-43536F. Not fully sure, though.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's an interesting description written by the proprietor of atthefront.com of the M1943 jackets. I post it here because mentioned are the later M1951 and M-65 jackets, which are the M1943's descendents.

 

[Fifty150]

From a practical point of view, as someone who has actually worn M-65 jackets for decades in cold environments, the extra roomy fit is necessary. When it's cold, you need to wear layers under the jacket. And unless you stand perfectly still with your arms at your side, you have to be able to move and be active. Running, climbing walls, crawling along the ground, digging trenches, fighting. Can't do anything in tight clothes.

In today's world, M-65 is no longer US military issued. Most people are not working for a civilian police, private military industry, or 3rd world military where you can still get an issued M-65. With modern options of Gore-Tex shells with zip in fleece liners in the civilian marketplace offering superior weather resistance; why would anyone spend money on 1965 technology?

 

[Trenchfriend]

From a practical point of view, as someone who has actually worn M-65 jackets for decades in cold environments, the extra roomy fit is necessary. When it's cold, you need to wear layers under the jacket. And unless you stand perfectly still with your arms at your side, you have to be able to move and be active. Running, climbing walls, crawling along the ground, digging trenches, fighting. Can't do anything in tight clothes.

In today's world, M-65 is no longer US military issued. Most people are not working for a civilian police, private military industry, or 3rd world military where you can still get an issued M-65. With modern options of Gore-Tex shells with zip in fleece liners in the civilian marketplace offering superior weather resistance; why would anyone spend money on 1965 technology?

Yeah, everything got its time.
I think, the only way to upgrade M65 for today is to reduce the weight significant.

 

[Fifty150]

Modern technology. The military continually changes the cold weather gear with modern technology. The only people who buy 1965 tech are nostalgic civilians.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Linda Cardellini in "Freaks & Geeks"

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

That's a funny post following Fifty's.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Yes, Fifty left out another M65 buyer - the costume designer.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Peacoat]

@Doctor Damage Great pics, Doc. Thanks for taking the time.