Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Of Material Interest: The US Army Tanker Jacket.





AKA 'Jacket, Combat, Winter'. Introduced in '41 and worn by soldiers throughout the Second World War, From Generals Eisenhower and Patton to PFC. Tank commanders to grunts. From Bastogne to San Pietro. Bill Mauldin's 'Stars and Stripes' cartoon GI protagonists Willie and Joe wore them. And Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle. Knit ribbed funnel collar, cuffs and waist. 12 oz. cotton twill Olive drab. Early 1942 jackets with patch pockets, later designed with slash pockets. Wool blanket-lining. Total classic.





























1 comment:

Anonymous said...

i have a happy and bitter story of the orginal tanker jacket that was passed down the family tree. my Dad got it in ealy 60's for mom for deer hunting.Dad was full time army national guard.i loved any thing OD green (still do, even after 21 yrs Miltitary )at 11 got to borrow that jacket to dress up for halloween 1971 as Patton movie has just come out[going watch it now, again] complete with all dad's fruit salad ( more than just afew items was WW 2 in 41 to 46). aNy how got that jacket at lastsay about 76 kept anotherten YRS.i went o baching in a old farm house and the squirels got it out on the sun porch for beding. WARS ON NOW!anyhow got to get a repro.