Pattern 1940 Enlisted Dress Coat 17th Airborne Division
Item #: WR616
Click on an image to enlarge
This is an unidentified Pattern 1940 enlisted dress coat used during World War II. This service coat replaced the one introduced in 1939. Made of 18 ounce olive drab serge wool fabric, enlisted service coats were dyed a shade of OD #33. The coat was worn with trousers made of the same material, and dyed the same shade of OD #33. To help give the soldier a little more freedom of movement while wearing this near form fitting coat, a set of pleats known as "bi swing backs" was added to the back of the coat. A pair of belt hooks was also utilized with a 1 1/2" half belt, which was replacing the leather service belt. This particular service coat has a contractors label sewn into the right lower pocket. The coat is partially lined and has no inner pocket, only the four exterior pockets. Inside the lower right pocket the Quarter Master tag is ink stamped "C & C Clothing/CO. Inc. /Cont. W-669-qm-11604/Dated Apr. 11 1941/Stock No. 55-C-69437/40 R/Spec. No. 8-31D/Dated 2/7/1940/Phila. Q.M. Depot and the inspectors number and initials. The coat is very well made, coming out of the Philadelphia Quarter Master Depot. The epaulets have no distinctive unit insignia on them. The brass crossed rifles of the Infantry is on the left collar, and the brass US collar disc is on the right collar. There are three ribbons pinned above the left breast pocket, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star and the World War II Victory Medal. There is no airborne oval sewn above the left pocket. Pinned above the ribbon bar is a set of Sterling Glider wings. The Combat Infantry Badge awarded this soldier is pinned to the left pocket flap, below the ribbons. The left sleeve has the 17thnd Airborne Division patch securely sewn on at the shoulder. There are no overseas stripes sewn near the left sleeve cuff. There is also no rank insignia sewn on the dress coat. The right sleeve has the 1st Allied Airborne Army patch sewn on it. There is no "ruptured duck" sewn above the right upper pocket. There is no moth damage on the coat. The stitching is strong and unbroken throughout the coat. All of the buttons are present and securely attached to the coat. The 17th Airborne Division was activated in April, 1943 and permanently inactivated on 19 June, 1949. During WWII the "Golden Talons" fought in Belgium and Germany, with the 193rd and 194th Glider Infantry Regiments engaged in two campaigns. The 194th had one Medal of Honor recipient, Technical Sergeant Clinton Hedrick. The lack of any rank, overseas stripes, a "ruptured duck" or Good Conduct Medal make me think this was a late war soldier who saw service for less than six months before he was sent home and discharged. He must have arrived in the 194th just before they were sent to Bastogne and also participated in Operation Varsity. If only we knew who he was. The only identification is a laundry number inked into the lining in the collar, RR 2236. His service coat, along with his overseas cap with glider patch have survived in good condition and will compliment any WWII uniform collection.
(Sold)
Sorry we are not accepting on line orders at this time. If you are interested in an item please contact me at 615 717 7792 or email me at mwkiser07@gmail.com.
If you have ordered or are considering ordering an antique weapon or artifact from our website please be advised that these artifacts and antique weapons are sold strictly as collectible antiques.
We strongly recommends that these artifacts be enjoyed and appreciated for their historical significance and not ever fired. By ordering you are acknowledging these facts, warnings and assume full responsibility for your personal actions with regard to them.
We DO NOT sell modern firearms , all our inventory is pre 1898 and are classified by the ATF as antiques and require no government paperwork to own.