American uniform

**stuka f** · 07-09-2011, 07:12 PM

Hey guy's,
I got myself a small collection, but I would like to know what it realy is.
Here is the first of ....a lot!!
Could you comment thise uniform

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**RH1941** · 07-09-2011, 10:54 PM

Stuka you have a 1939 pattern wool service coat . The patch is for engineer special brigades the gold bars on the lower sleeve are overseas bars 1 bar for 6 months over seas. The patch below that is a service stripe 1 stripe for each three year period of service. And the patch on the chest is a honorable discharge . Nice WWII jacket .

**stuka f** · 07-10-2011, 06:04 AM

Thanks RH1941, that helps a lot!
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**Adrian Stevenson** · 07-10-2011, 10:38 AM

Hi Kris, in addition to Gary's good info, you might find a makers label in one of the lower pockets.

Cheers, Ade.

**stuka f** · 07-10-2011, 12:19 PM

Indeed Ade!
It says "Phoenix clothes" 1941.
I was wundering for such a label, but only searched the inside.
Thanks.
|<ris

**Adrian Stevenson** · 07-10-2011, 12:23 PM

Hi Kris, nice one.

Most WW2 US uniforms have this type of label. But they do disintergrate after the item has been washed a few times. But service dress jackets don't get washed like shirts or fatigue uniforms so they are usually still present.

Cheers, Ade.

**stuka f** · 07-10-2011, 12:39 PM

Just did some research on the insigna's on the jacket, when I came on the chest patch that Garry so well discribed as the "honorable discharge"patch; I found thise:

The Origin of "The Ruptured Duck" Insignia
The original Ruptured Duck was a cloth insignia depicting an eagle inside a wreath. It was worn on uniforms above the right breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women.
It was issued to service personnel who were about to leave the military with an Honorable Discharge. It also allowed them to continue to wear their uniform for up to thirty days after they were discharged since there was a clothing shortage at that time. This showed the MP's that they were in transit and not AWOL. Well, the boys thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and, because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was, "They took off like a Ruptured Duck"...hence the nickname.

Defenetly known by most of you, but I never knew what the "ruptured duck " stood for..... ;-)
cheers
|<ris