Grandpa's Military Parka - What is It?

[Philalethes]

I found this parka in my parent's basement:

It has the following characteristics:

OD cotton shell
Removable shearling (?) lining
2 slash and 2 button-down flap pockets
Three "loops" to hold a thin belt around the waist area
Zipper and button closure

It is also very heavy, which makes me believe that the shearling is real.

I am assuming that this was issued to my grandfather when he was a flight mechanic for the Air Force in Fairbanks, Alaska after WWII, sometime around 1950.

Does anyone know what this is? I recently saw something that looked very similar (in seemingly better condition) on a pricey surplus site for $350.

Also, though the pictures do not show it, the shearling is rather dirty at the hood. Does anyone have any ideas as to how it may be cleaned?

 

[acl1]

What an awesome parka! While I can't identify it, I can advise you to take it to a reputable fur specialist/cleaner. Some companies even allow you to ship it to them and can store it for you if you like. The last thing you'd want to do is have it cleaned at a regular dry cleaners.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Well...you've stumped me. It isn't a B-11. It isn't an M-48 parka. It isn't any of the USN parkas from WWII. Its not an M-51 Fishtail. It isn't an M-65 Parka.

It almost looks like a WWII reversible ski parka. Here's a photo of one in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The problem is, the inside of the parka should be white. I'm thinking your's isn't. Note the heavy button-in lining with this parka.

AF

 

[JWS34]

Hi, It appears to be a M1947 Parka. These were used heavily in the the first winter of the Korean War. Many photos of the Chosin Resevoir show Marines wearing these. I have three and they are less common than the M1951 fishtail. There should be a web belt around the waist. It would be the standard army trouser belt and buckle. Nice parka!

 

[Atticus Finch]

Hi, It appears to be a M1947 Parka. These were used heavily in the the first winter of the Korean War. Many photos of the Chosin Resevoir show Marines wearing these. I have three and they are less common than the M1951 fishtail. There should be a web belt around the waist. It would be the standard army trouser belt and buckle. Nice parka!

Yep. I think youj're right. The slash pockets on an m47 have flaps...but now I see that the flaps on this parka are tucked into the pockets. And I see the place for the web belt.

AF

 

[JWS34]

Hi, It appears to be a M1947 Parka. These were used heavily in the the first winter of the Korean War. Many photos of the Chosin Resevoir show Marines wearing these. I have three and they are less common than the M1951 fishtail. There should be a web belt around the waist. It would be the standard army trouser belt and buckle. Nice parka!

 

[JWS34]

I went and took a look at my parkas. All three are from the Philadelphia Quartermaster's Depot and produced in early 1947. I think the M-1947 name is a collector's title. All three are nomenclatured as "Parka, Overcoat Type". I also believe that this was a USMC specific item. I looked in Shelby Stanton's Army Uniforms of the Korean War and this is not mentioned as an army issue item. It did have photos of the parka but they were taken in the Marine's area of operations in the winter of 1950/1951. Also, Take a look in the right pocket for the tag with contract and item info. Best Regards, John

 

[Philalethes]

More Pics, More Questions

I took delivery of this parka yesterday, so I was able to look at it in more detail.

There are no tags except an 'M' tag both on the shell and the liner.

To clarify, the four outside pockets - both the slash and cargo - should have buttons but they are missing. Also, the liner is snap-in (not button-in).

But what I really found interesting were some details I overlooked. The liner includes button-in storm cuffs and brown-colored wool sleeves. The slash pocket lining is olive drab wool (if you look closely, you can see this in the picture below).

Some more pics:

Now here's the kicker: I am pretty sure the liner is not shearling, having looked at it more closely. I have never owned any shearling before, but my first clue was that it didn't seem to be very long, perhaps only 1/4 inch. Also, although the jacket is warm, it does not seem as "flame-thrower warm" as I expect shearling to be. But the most obvious clue is that I can see threads behind the "fur" (i.e. in the middle of the two sides of the "fur"). However, it doesn't quite feel like synthetic pile, and the sleeves, pockets, and storm cuffs are all wool. Is it possible that it is some sort of wool pile?

As can be seen from the third picture, the inner of the shell is not white but green, so it is not a reversible parka. It would make sense that it were issued to my grandfather in the first winter of the Korean War, so it might be an M1947. However, my grandfather never served in the Marines (just Air Force and Navy). I suppose he could have traded for it...

 

[Philalethes]

I found this parka, sold by Vintage Trends, that looks just like mine (although in better condition):



It seems that everyone was right about the web belt. I will be looking to procure one.

Notice that the tag says, "Pile Liner". Am I right to assume this is wool pile? Was polyester even in production in 1947?

Also notice the price, a whopping $375!

 

[Italian-wiseguy]

Wow!!
I'm amazed: this solves one question I was wondering to ask.

These "parkas, overcoat type" were a must have in Italy in '70s for leftists, hippies and the like. They took wearing them because they were very cheap and already popular with truck drivers, dock workers etc., so they had a "working class" vibe.
In Italy we called these parkas "eskimo": leftist singers even wrote songs about them, as they achieved a symbolic, iconic status.

I always wanted to know were they came from: their military origin seemed evident, but they didn't resemble any other military parka I knew; besides, they were so "italian" in my mind, that I was not sure if an international, mostly american-oriented forum could be of any help.

now it turns out that them extreme leftists got them from the USMC... ironic

I own one, btw: very very warm, and in the right size it's also stylish, more than other parkas.