Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of the “Jacket, Combat, Winter” more affectionately known as the “tankers” jacket. The Winter Combat Uniform consisted of the Winter Combat Jacket, Winter Combat Trousers, and the Winter Combat Helmet. The jacket eventually became known as the Tanker Jacket by the veterans and uniform collectors. Its intent was for use by any Army unit needing a heavy-duty cold weather winter garment. Soldiers that were assigned to tank, reconnaissance units and armored infantry units in half-tracks needed cold weather gear when fighting from armored vehicles. Eventually, other ground fighting infantry, artillery, and other units were also issued the winter combat uniform while fighting in frigid winter climates such as Bastogne. This jacket very quickly earned an affinity by military people in many of the services due to its thermal protection and ease of wearing. Many soldiers not in armored units during WWII tried to get their hands on a Tanker Jacket just because it was very stylish and comfortable, attributes that still stand today.
This hard wearing and warm jacket was the perfect replacement for the in service M1938 and M1941 jackets. When worn with its matching bibbed trousers it became the combat uniform of choice for the Armored Forces and was much in demand by all other ground forces, even AAF pilots were seen wearing this jacket!
This jacket is in very good condition, the "gold" hued color is still strong while the cuffs, collar and waist band display minor wear and are sturdy enough to still wear. The jacket shell and liner are in very good condition, with the only real issue being the Conmar zipper no longer works. Each shoulder features a tactical marking we believe to be either a vehicle number or unit. This is a very nice hard to find jacket that is sought after by the collector of WWII GI uniforms and militaria.
Comes ready for further research and display.
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 11"
Shoulder to sleeve: 21”
Shoulder to shoulder: 20.5”
Chest width: 25.5"
Waist width: 23"
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 29"
