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Even though I already had a couple of threads from 5+ years ago, they had some old photos and info that I thought I'd just do a redo here (Thanks to Raptor and others!).
I'm actively hunting for new and old Irish stuff, so I'll try to update this one regularly as I find more stuff!
Starting off with the oldest, here's my set of the "85 Pattern" combat fatigues, as some collectors seem to have come to call it.
This uniform replaced the copy of the British Pattern 60 olive uniform, allegedly from complaints mostly about the cut, wanting more pockets and better positioning of the tunic pockets to access whilst wearing web gear.
Supposedly during the 80's as Ireland was getting ready to adopt new uniforms and gear, they had debated adopting a DPM type pattern that was similar but not identical to the British version, but was rejected in order to keep the appearance of the DFI distinct so as not to be confused with British forces.
One comment on my IG post said one veteran recalled seeing multiple examples of the DPM trials uniforms around, but most were disposed of after it was rejected. If anybody has any photos or knows anything else about those DPM trials I'd love to see them!
Another comment on another forum I read from a Reserve veteran said he had saw at least one of these uniforms still being worn on exercise as late as 2006.
Finer details, starting with the tunic. This particular tunic is a first year (1985) issue, made by Westport Clothing (Now Portwest Ltd.) and ranked to a Pvt.
The uniform in general retains many features of the previous P60 uniform, the tunic has:
-A heavy duty front zip and exposed button storm flap.
-Large button epaulets for the webbing yoke.
-Two button lower hem pockets
-The two chest pockets were turned to slanted, vertical zipper "Napoleon" pockets to allow access under yoke straps.
-Button cuffs, reinforced elbows, and drawcord waist and hem
-A button up collar and button removable hood (Sadly missing from mine)
-And five interior pockets, including two chest and three very large "poacher's pockets" along the interior hem.
These trousers, on the opposite side, are unissued and of the last (that I'm aware of) known year of production, 1999.
These were made by the Irish branch of the Norwegian company Wenaas Workwear, which from what I can find was located in Bellefield in Enniscorthy and also made uniforms for the Garda, but closed down the following year.
Also very similar to the P60 trousers, these mostly just added additional features on:
-Added a second leg cargo pocket.
-Slash hand pockets.
-Zip fly with button waist.
-Large, but permanently sewn belt loops.
-Button field dressing pocket.
-Reinforced knees, and interior buttons and loops for suspenders.
Next, a basic Working Dress Uniform short sleeve shirt, dated 1994.
Here's a "Franklin" uniform jacket, a near identical copy of the French F1 uniform made briefly from around 1995-1999 for UN deployments to Lebanon and Cyprus, replacing the old UN issued "Norwegian Bush" uniforms before being replaced with the standard IP-DPM uniforms.
This particular one has had its name tape removed, but still has patches for an Lt. who deployed with the 84 Irish Batt., which from what I can find was deployed to Lebanon in 1999 where one Pvt. Kevin Barrett was killed.
It seems it was popular to cut these jackets into short sleeves, or maybe there was factory made short sleeve version, I'm not sure.
Now this one is a bit of a mystery. I've seen several of these shirts and rarely trousers, and the British seller I got this from said he used to have quite a few of them.
It's a standard first model IP-DPM shirt with the front chest velcro rank strip, but made in French CCE fabric, by Seyntex in 1998.
As I understand, 1998 was the first contract year for IP-DPM, but some have argued that the DFI trialed French CCE before choosing the IP-DPM.
Others have argued that these uniforms were simply factory uniform samples provided for the DFI for final cut acceptance, using French CCE fabric they had on hand to reduce cost before starting production on the actual IP-DPM uniforms.
If anybody knows which, if either of these claims are true, I'm very interested in finding out!
This confounded mystery uniform, made by Seyntex in 2002. It's in the standard IP-DPM cut of the time, but in plain olive green.
It was listed and sold to me as an "Equitation School uniform", but I haven't seen a single photo of one of these uniforms being worn, and I've never seen another one.
And to end for now, all the IP-DPM I've gathered thus far!
Starting with a basic shirt, missing tag but based on the cut seems to be a 2001-2009 type. Velcro for name tape and *had* a small tricolor flag.
Second shirt, dated 2008 from Carra/Seyntex.
Summer ripstop trousers, tag missing.
And last for now, an Operational DPM Smock, made by Seyntex in 2015.
Enjoy!
-Nate
I'm actively hunting for new and old Irish stuff, so I'll try to update this one regularly as I find more stuff!
Starting off with the oldest, here's my set of the "85 Pattern" combat fatigues, as some collectors seem to have come to call it.
This uniform replaced the copy of the British Pattern 60 olive uniform, allegedly from complaints mostly about the cut, wanting more pockets and better positioning of the tunic pockets to access whilst wearing web gear.
Supposedly during the 80's as Ireland was getting ready to adopt new uniforms and gear, they had debated adopting a DPM type pattern that was similar but not identical to the British version, but was rejected in order to keep the appearance of the DFI distinct so as not to be confused with British forces.
One comment on my IG post said one veteran recalled seeing multiple examples of the DPM trials uniforms around, but most were disposed of after it was rejected. If anybody has any photos or knows anything else about those DPM trials I'd love to see them!
Another comment on another forum I read from a Reserve veteran said he had saw at least one of these uniforms still being worn on exercise as late as 2006.
Finer details, starting with the tunic. This particular tunic is a first year (1985) issue, made by Westport Clothing (Now Portwest Ltd.) and ranked to a Pvt.
The uniform in general retains many features of the previous P60 uniform, the tunic has:
-A heavy duty front zip and exposed button storm flap.
-Large button epaulets for the webbing yoke.
-Two button lower hem pockets
-The two chest pockets were turned to slanted, vertical zipper "Napoleon" pockets to allow access under yoke straps.
-Button cuffs, reinforced elbows, and drawcord waist and hem
-A button up collar and button removable hood (Sadly missing from mine)
-And five interior pockets, including two chest and three very large "poacher's pockets" along the interior hem.
These trousers, on the opposite side, are unissued and of the last (that I'm aware of) known year of production, 1999.
These were made by the Irish branch of the Norwegian company Wenaas Workwear, which from what I can find was located in Bellefield in Enniscorthy and also made uniforms for the Garda, but closed down the following year.
Also very similar to the P60 trousers, these mostly just added additional features on:
-Added a second leg cargo pocket.
-Slash hand pockets.
-Zip fly with button waist.
-Large, but permanently sewn belt loops.
-Button field dressing pocket.
-Reinforced knees, and interior buttons and loops for suspenders.
Next, a basic Working Dress Uniform short sleeve shirt, dated 1994.
Here's a "Franklin" uniform jacket, a near identical copy of the French F1 uniform made briefly from around 1995-1999 for UN deployments to Lebanon and Cyprus, replacing the old UN issued "Norwegian Bush" uniforms before being replaced with the standard IP-DPM uniforms.
This particular one has had its name tape removed, but still has patches for an Lt. who deployed with the 84 Irish Batt., which from what I can find was deployed to Lebanon in 1999 where one Pvt. Kevin Barrett was killed.
It seems it was popular to cut these jackets into short sleeves, or maybe there was factory made short sleeve version, I'm not sure.
Now this one is a bit of a mystery. I've seen several of these shirts and rarely trousers, and the British seller I got this from said he used to have quite a few of them.
It's a standard first model IP-DPM shirt with the front chest velcro rank strip, but made in French CCE fabric, by Seyntex in 1998.
As I understand, 1998 was the first contract year for IP-DPM, but some have argued that the DFI trialed French CCE before choosing the IP-DPM.
Others have argued that these uniforms were simply factory uniform samples provided for the DFI for final cut acceptance, using French CCE fabric they had on hand to reduce cost before starting production on the actual IP-DPM uniforms.
If anybody knows which, if either of these claims are true, I'm very interested in finding out!
This confounded mystery uniform, made by Seyntex in 2002. It's in the standard IP-DPM cut of the time, but in plain olive green.
It was listed and sold to me as an "Equitation School uniform", but I haven't seen a single photo of one of these uniforms being worn, and I've never seen another one.
And to end for now, all the IP-DPM I've gathered thus far!
Starting with a basic shirt, missing tag but based on the cut seems to be a 2001-2009 type. Velcro for name tape and *had* a small tricolor flag.
Second shirt, dated 2008 from Carra/Seyntex.
Summer ripstop trousers, tag missing.
And last for now, an Operational DPM Smock, made by Seyntex in 2015.
Enjoy!
-Nate
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