(Reprinted from Trendline Magazine,
February 2000, updated April 2015)
Though there will always be mysterious
theater-made pieces of clothing, insignia, and equipment emerging
from any war, it is especially gratifying to find an authentic
example of one years later. Among the legends was to emerge from the
Second World War was one of a curious foul weather jacket made from
Army sleeping bag covers. We here at Manion’s have very recently
unearthed one of these rare creatures.
This particular
jacket was made by a professional tailor in Germany during the early
days of the Allied occupation. It is lined from hem to hood with a
standard OD wool blanket, and has two spacious patch pockets inside.
Since sleeping bag covers were stitched to fit neatly over the bags,
this jacket is necessarily composed of no fewer than nine sections;
the back - the largest continuous piece, two for the hood, two for
each arm, and two for the chest.
Each upper arm has a symmetrically
positioned flap pocket for packs of cigarettes, and each sleeve has
knit cuffs. “Opti” zippers are found as the front closure and
also to each side. These side zippers run nine inches vertically, and
are designed to be unzipped for comfort while sitting. This jacket is
particularly impressive for the obvious care taken by the tailor in
the stitching. The epaulettes include OD plastic buttons, and the
liner fits like a glove.
The piece was offered in auction 210 at
Manion’s Interntaional Auction House, Kansas City, in March 2000.
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