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Perfectly Perfect Pants

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up
British cloth- very British-

The Germans did capture a large quantity of British Denim overall(green denim BD jackets and trousers) at Dunkirk and some German Submariners used them as working uniforms...

But to use (captured)British cloth to make german uniforms, then those uniforms being captured by the British and re-marked with WD stamps would be a stretch of belief.

I'm not totally au fait with all possible War Department markings- not sure what the "R" is above the WD and broad arrow.

Unless they are indeed a British uniform item- the British did have specialist ski/mountain clothing, including trousers but I've only seen them in wool cloth.

Maybe British made with German trims- the zips and buttons are very German(well, RiRi zippers are Swiss made)- but the styling is just SO German.

Maybe a fantastic confection by someone wishing to make a very, very rare item..?

I obviously still haven't got to the bottom of this...

I await the distinguished Dr. Eardley's comments...

Alan..?

B
T
 

Tomasso

Incurably Addicted
Messages
13,719
Location
USA
Oxxford makes a high waisted, full cut trouser for RTW ($350+up) and they'll add a Hollywood waist and dropped belt loops for MTM ($400+up). IMO, nobody makes a better trouser than Oxxford.
 
If only you were a 33 waist and 30 inside leg i could have passed you a pair identical to those you posted first in this thread (i love that silhouette - see a thread i'll start later today). As it is, they have now been altered to fit me! Whew, they're high waisted beasts. I'll get a pic at some point.

bk
 
You're gonna be trimming your legs as well as reducing waist size?

I don't know if you should look forward to the thread. It's sure to be somewhat obscure and probably limited to my own particular experience . . . not that particles have anything to do with it. Or do they? (ooo, man of mystery, me)

what?

bk
 

Smithy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,139
Location
Norway
Love the new trousers BT, they look the part!

And that wouldn't make a bad thread starter "German use of British military clothing"...U-Boat men using BD, Luftwaffe pilots using Irvins, etc...
 

Alan Eardley

One Too Many
Messages
1,500
Location
Midlands, UK
Pants

BellyTank said:
British cloth- very British-

The Germans did capture a large quantity of British Denim overall(green denim BD jackets and trousers) at Dunkirk and some German Submariners used them as working uniforms...

But to use (captured)British cloth to make german uniforms, then those uniforms being captured by the British and re-marked with WD stamps would be a stretch of belief.

I'm not totally au fait with all possible War Department markings- not sure what the "R" is above the WD and broad arrow.

I obviously still haven't got to the bottom of this...

I await the distinguished Dr. Eardley's comments...

Alan..?

B
T
BT,

The 'R' was applied to clothing that was reissued when repaired or reallocated. I think you have summarised the construction details of these trousers very well. But think of the label - or lack of it. If they were a large-scale contract they would almost certainly have a WD label with contract, size etc. That WD stamp was clearly added to an existing garment.

Now, mountain troops were relatively rare in the British Army, and so large-scale contracts were out of the question. So, it was not unusual for civilian clothing and equipment to be issued. For instance, you see Norwegian Bergen rucksacks with civilian makers marks and a broad arrow. I have one myself. The design later became the official issue '44 pattern large pack, issued to Commandos.

I think these are civilian Swiss ski trousers bought by the MoS and issued with an 'R' stamp to British Mountain troops. Best guess I can make.

See you Monday

Alan
 

Lady Day

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
Messages
9,087
Location
Crummy town, USA
scotrace said:
I want trousers like THIS. This is exactly, precisely what I am looking for or want to have made, in ten fabrics and 20 colors. Some of our members have promised them, but so far it's long on promise and short on pants.

Behold! The Perfect Pair of Pants!
From September 1939 Esquire.

perfectpants.JPG


Oh, if I could make them for you my friend I would, I would....:eek:

LD
 

Matt Deckard

Man of Action
Messages
10,045
Location
A devout capitalist in Los Angeles CA.
Well Scotrace, thanks for putting this one online... now these are amazing trousers.

Cut full and the creases go all the way down and don't dissapear after the pleat then reappear
after.

Tunnel beltloops
drop belt loops
Split backs... several different details.

IMG_1434.jpg
 

Henri

New in Town
Messages
5
Location
Helsinki
O/T and nostalgia warning! The Market was my favourite place for shopping in London at the time. Not only was Rock-A-Cha there, but Johnsons had a stall, and there was endless, cheap American vintage. Plus there was Chicken Shack, run by Jesse Birdsall

Mine too! My first visit was in '84 when I was 16 year old hepcat from Finland! I remember shopping slacks at Johnsons and some vintage bowling shirts from another stall, as well as rare live bootleg cassettes (!). I miss those times.
 

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