US Overcoat 1946

[Fabe]

Hello All,
I've started to get into some "Korean War" collecting (not so simple here in Hungary), just getting some nice random stuff for now - anything I can find here locally, and maybe later from US ebay (and the horrid shipping fees).
I saw this US overcoat made in 1946 - what do guys think about it? Could this also be considered be a "Korean War" item? (1946 might be an early date, with more uniforms getting released in 1951?). Looks like in good condition, with a price of 15 EU.
Cheers,
Fabe

[Adrian Stevenson]

Good item and the price is fair.

[reneblacky]

Nice overcoat and a 46 date, much more uncommon than the ww2 equivalent! certainly worn 50-53 and beyond.
I couldn't get one for 15 euros!!!

[Fabe]

The coat arrived yesterday, and was not disappointed...
Looks to be in really good shape (I was expecting a lot worse), all the buttons are still present, no tears or dirt, only the wool liner has a couple of small holes, hardly visible.
Also, it was used before - the arm patches were sadly removed, but the basic shape of the patches are still visible, I took some photos of them, maybe some of you can help me get original replacements.

Here is the coat as it arrived and with an M1951 "X-strap" I've added to my collection recently:


My final goal is to have this guy on a dummy, might take me a couple of years:


Question time:

1. Is this the proper hood for this coat (M1943) since it was made in 1946? There is also an M1951 hood looking the same, but the instructions are printed right on the fabric.


2. I took some pics of the removed patches, the basic shape can be seen (if you look closely).
The right arm had 1 patch, an 'upside-down tear' shape:

The only patch I could think of with this shape is this - but is it "Korean War" era? (these pics are from the internet)


The left arm had 2 patches, the same 'upside-down tear' shape and above it, a round shaped patch:

The round patch could have been similar to this 6th Army patch (or something like this):


Anyway, If you guys could help me with finding original 'Korean War' patches like the ones above mentioned, that would be great!

Cheers,
Fabe

[Rakkasan187]

Fabe,

The tear drop patch is for the rank of Specialist 4th Class or just plain Specialist. This is post Korean War era, (circa 1954 or so) It would not have been worn on the overcoat during the Korean War and the circular patch could be a number of round shoulder sleeve insignia similar to the 6th Army patch posted. It would be nearly impossible to determine which insignia was on the coat.

If it was a Korean War division it could have been the 24th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, I Corps, 9th Army Corps, 10th Army Corps, all these are round patches..

If you are going to portray a combat soldier in Korea wearing an overcoat I recommend not putting patches on the coat. This was not common for front line Soldiers.. Insignia was worn, but the majority of the photos I have studied show higher ranking officers who were visiting front line units wearing the insignia with the overcoat/raincoat. The majority of front line Soldiers wore field jackets and they wore insignia on them and the few who had the luxury of getting full length rain coats did not. There were of course exceptions and the photo you showed with the individual wearing the staff sergeant chevrons I believe is a reenactor.

Just my thought on this and I am sure others will also add their thoughts..

Smitty

[rra227]

The first hood is for the M-43 field jacket. The M-51 Parka hood has a natural fur trim. There is no hood for that overcoat. If it is a Officer overcoat there would be a hood. Look at my Flea Market Finds thread to see what a M-51 Parka hood looks like. If I was going to do a Korea display I would look for a M-48 parka. Rich A. in Pa.

[Fabe]

Here is the M1951 hood I was talking about:



The tag says: "Hood - Field Jacket and Overcoat"

[rra227]

Never seen that hood markings. I have to go look at a overcoat and see if it has buttons for attaching a hood. Do you have the Shelby Stanton book? Rich A. in Pa.

[Rakkasan187]

The Shelby Stanton Uniform book series are must have for US uniform collectors..

The Korean War Uniform book is rather pricey now,, but they are out there..

Get all 4 if you can,,, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and Cold War.. Well worth the money..

Smitty

[Fabe]

Thanks for the book recommendations, I'll def. check them out. This coat is my very first US item, so I'm a newbie - but have been reading a lot of stuff on-line.