Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
Article about: All very interesting to me as the top item on my to buy list is a wartime BD, preferably a 43 or earlier dated example with an Africa -& if possible Italy- history. Sadly prices on these
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
All very interesting to me as the top item on my to buy list is a wartime BD, preferably a 43 or earlier dated example with an Africa -& if possible Italy- history. Sadly prices on these are on the up so I need to get one sooner rather than later. I have been studying these in advance of this purchase and Rob, your detailed posts have made this easier and hopefully less liable to me getting it wrong.
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
by Bond
All very interesting to me as the top item on my to buy list is a wartime BD, preferably a 43 or earlier dated example with an Africa -& if possible Italy- history. Sadly prices on these are on the up so I need to get one sooner rather than later. I have been studying these in advance of this purchase and Rob, your detailed posts have made this easier and hopefully less liable to me getting it wrong.
Many thanks.
A lot of BD issued in Italy was of the American-made type (Battle Dress, Olive Drab, War Aid), as indeed was some of the issue KD too. You might want to get hold of these too, if you are looking for 'iconic' Italian theatre British Army clothing.
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
by Battery Command Post
A lot of BD issued in Italy was of the American-made type (Battle Dress, Olive Drab, War Aid), as indeed was some of the issue KD too. You might want to get hold of these too, if you are looking for 'iconic' Italian theatre British Army clothing.
Just trying to complicate things further for you
Rob
I looked at a US made example on the net today, 44 dated I think it was and it or something similar would be a cool addition to my Africa/Italy collection.
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
Hi Jerry, US Made War Made BD is the "Rolls Royce" of BD's in my opinion. By far the best quality.
Here is mine. Only the shoulder titles are restored. All other insignia is original to the Blouse. I got married in this one.
Cheers, Ade.
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Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
by Adrian Stevenson
Hi Jerry, US Made War Made BD is the "Rolls Royce" of BD's in my opinion. By far the best quality.
I would agree with that. This is one of mine, and a collection favourite of mine too:
Sorry the picture is not the best. Not quite as glamourous as Ade's, but it's used, soiled and dirty and was definitely 'there'. It's a blouse belonging to a Lance-Bombardier Fenton from the artillery of British 1st Infantry Division, which was an Africa/Italy formation of course. I have the wearer's original cap too. The pockets still have little bits of random stuff in them too
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
I've only recently (last week!) managed to get myself a War Aid BD, and yes, the fabric is really nice. It's been open collar converted too so looks even smarter.
That said, in my opinion you can't beat the 1947 pattern for smartness, if not quality.
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
I know its cheating in a way (we are comparing issue BDs), but the best quality BDs of all are the privately-tailored ones that some officers had made. You don't see them too often, but when you do, they are top quality of course
Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
by Battery Command Post
I know its cheating in a way (we are comparing issue BDs), but the best quality BDs of all are the privately-tailored ones that some officers had made. You don't see them too often, but when you do, they are top quality of course
Rob
At some point in the future I will do a mammoth thread on some of my wife's collection, all to one woman: one of the BD's in stunning.
Cheers, Ade.
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Re: Clarification of British uniforms (UK, no Canada, Australia, India, etc., just UK)
by Bond
What does the label read on this BD? I can't make out whether it says 40 or 42 pattern?
Thanks
Looks like 40 to me? But I do have a dim memory about once seeing a "42" pattern on a label? Anyone else seen that or am I dreaming it?
Cheers, Ade.
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