U. S. Army Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical or First Pattern Slant Pocket Jungle Jacket from the Vietnam War

 We had the fortune of coming across an early 60s, Veitnam era Jungle coat recently.  These jackets are more commonly referred to as the "slant pocket jungle jacket" or something of the sort.  This one pictured was the first pattern used and considered pretty rare and collectable.  It's easily distinguishable from the more common jackets by the exposed buttons on the pocket and lack of a gas flap at the neck.

This particular jacket fetched $203.50 at auction here.

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (Back)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (inside)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (nomenclature tag)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. First Pattern (instruction label)

As a comparison, this more common jacket from 1969 featured ripstop fabric and as you can see, the buttons on the pocket flaps had a cover added to them to keep soldiers from getting snagged on the tropical foliage.



This jacket sold for a whopping $24.99 here.

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (back)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (inside)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (nomenclature tag)

Vietnam War Coat, Man's, Combat, Tropical. Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin (instruction label)

US Navy N-1 Deck Jacket (WW2 and Post)

During World War 2, the N-1 deck jacket was standard issue to all enlisted Navy personnel.   It originally featured a heavy "Jungle-Cloth" outer shell with a man-made "alpaca" fur lining.  These jackets were/are extremely weather repellant and warm.  This first one is a post-WW2 deck jacket that we recently put to auction and received $206.47.  It was in immaculate shape but had none of the desirable USN stenciling or sailor customization.  Just a fine example of an N-1 deck jacket the way it would have been issued.

Post WW2 N-1 Deck Jacket

Note the difference in the pile lining from the WW2 version.  Also, an aluminum YKK zipper.

This N-1 Jacket is from the WW2 period, complete with stains, stencils, and wear from the era. It appears to have been issued to 2 different sailors, with the second writing his name over the first on the back.  Perhaps the first perrished in combat, who knows.

One of the perks/downfalls of being a picker is that you don't really own anything, you just get to use it for a while.  This N-1 is being used by me personally until it's restoration is completed.  A new-old-stock Conmar zipper will replace the replacement.  The missing buttons will be replaced with originals.  The tattered elbow will mended.  It will receive a mild cleaning to remove the loose dirt, and possibly the USN stencil on the front will be touched back up to make it visible again.  Once all of this is done, and something else catches my fancy, it will be placed at auction.  The projected value is somewhere between $350-$500.

WW2 era US Navy N-1 Deck Jacket

What's left of the U.S.N. stencil on the left breast.

N-1 Deck Jacket Back Veiw

Second owners name written over the first's

Interior Alpaca lining and new-old-stock Conmar zipper

Manufactures label no longer legible.

Wool, knit cuffs in remarkably good condition.

A poor quality zipper had replaced the original.  This Conmar NOS will replace it.