Help Date This Norwegian Jacket

[eniksleestack]

Hello FL experts, I've got another thrift store find for your to ponder over:

Kind of looks like US M-1943 jackets I've found in the past, only this one is more grayish green. The jacket is pretty stiff, much like WW2 era cotton canvas items I've handled before.

Other than the Norwegian Flag patch on the left shoulder and the numbers "40" and "48" hand-written inside there are no tags or writing.

Any ideas as to the era/ origin of this piece? Thanks in advance

 

[thunderw21]

Yep, it's the Norwegian copy of the American M-43. I believe they used them from shortly after WW2 into the 1950s, perhaps even early '60s.

You're lucky to have found one, in recent years sources of them have dried up because reenactors have been snatching them as an alternative to using originals in the field.

 

[MrBern]

I believe they were issued well into the `90s.

I had a Norwegian friend who raved about how close these were to WWII American uniforms. Said that when he wore them in service in the `80s, US troops would find the Norwegian troops very amusing...dressed like JohnWayne. By then the US troops were wearing Kevlar & gortex.

A few years ago, I purchase a Norwegian field jacket from SportsmansGuide.com for a few bucks. Its a fine, fine jacket.

 

[Spitfire]

Wonder if the GIs in all their cevlar and gortex found the Norwegian soldiers just as amusing, when they got their lilly white a.... whipped.
Those Norwegian soldiers are tough.
I have personally been on manouvers with them. I know.
When we were freezing and downhearted they just had a cup of coffe and went on....in their "John Wayne" jackets.

 

[H.Johnson]

They were standard wear for US re-enactment in the UK for many years. Some people tried to get around the different shade with a re-dye, others didn't bother. If everybody in a unit has the same gear, you don't really notice it isn't 'spot on'. The trousers are the like M-43 also, of course. They are still found occasionally in UK surplus shops, and are usually cheaper than originals or reproductions.

 

[ukali1066]

I bought one of these in the 1990's, with the flag removed it's a great cheap M43 alternative...it was new/unissued...I paid 15 pounds !

It was always too large for me though so I recently ebayed it to a guy who wears it while driving his restored WW2 Jeep...he was very pleased.

 

[MrBern]

Wonder if the GIs in all their cevlar and gortex found the Norwegian soldiers just as amusing, when they got their lilly white a.... whipped.
Those Norwegian soldiers are tough.
I have personally been on manouvers with them. I know.
When we were freezing and downhearted they just had a cup of coffe and went on....in their "John Wayne" jackets.

I believe my friend mentioned that he & his troops were wearing gaiters as well. A terribly antiquated element of the WWII uniform. The trousers & jackets are actually still very functional. If fact the trousers are better than the WWII issue, being heavier cloth with reinforced panels.

BTW 'lilly white' isnt the most accurate phrase to describe US military.