British para smock-what should I offer

Hello good people,I have a friend who has a British paratrooper smock.I was wondering what I should offer him for it.It is in decent shape.The buttons for the dipper are missing.Other than that it is undamaged.What would be a good offer?

If its an early so called 77 Pattern he can ask pretty much what he wants for it as they are desirable however if its a later/modern one depends on how much you want to pay but would estimate £15-£25 would be what I would pay.

PS just read that the buttons(take it you mean the pres studs?) are missing from the crotch flap/donkey tail-in that case no more than £15 for a late/modern one but again if its a "77 Patt" it all depends on how much you want one!!!

If the smock beaver tail has buttons not press studs its not a para smock

Thanks Graham and Gulf91.I thought it was a para smock based on the cuff and the beaver tail!Everything about it says para except for the lack of studs!Does anyone know what it is?

Hi Clayton
It is possable that the smock is a Modified P68 smock see photo I personaly replaced the button cuffs on mine with Green army sock tops, Others had the button hood permenatly attached and there were other modifications I heard of one guy removing the flap and buttons fron the front of the smock leaving the zip exposed making it more like a para smock I never saw it.
do you have a picture of the smock.
you could have a look at the forces 80 site here is a link to their beginners guide
http://www.forces80.com/uniformv2.htm
I hope this is of some help

Or it could be a Belgian para smock .......

Pointless speculating without photos though ......

Sorry gents,I could not get any photos before I had to leave.If I do,I will post them here.Thanks a bunch for the link Graham!

Well, people above seem to be assuming its DPM. You make no mention of the pattern.

Many people confuse the pre DPM Denison smocks with 1950's Belgian smocks. Caveat emptor as I seem to keep saying recently.

DPM

Guilty as charged

It is DPM.I do believe it its British as the tag was in English.From what Graham has shown me I think it is a modified P68.The picture he posted is almost a clone of what my friend has,except for the cuffs and beaver tail.I think I am going to haggle,start at 15 USD and not go past 25.If I get it,Ill post it in the appropriate section and you guys and laugh at me and call me a water head for something is bound to go wrong lol

Hi Clayton
I forgot to mention that the smock pictured in my previous post will have a beaver tail but unlike the para smock's beaver tail whitch stows on the outside back of the smock, the P68's beaver tail stows on the inside the back of the smock with the 2 buttons that fasten the rear poachers pocket, allso on the inside there should be 3 buttons either side of the bottom of the zip to fasten the beaver tail when in use.
the top photo shows the beaver tail on the P68 smock in the stowed position
the lower shows a para smock beaver tail in the stowed position.



One point that may be of intrest when I joined the army in the early 80's I was issued with 2 brand new P68 smocks and matching trousers, I modifyed one of the smocks by removed the botton cuffs and the gusset in the sleeves and replaced them with the knitted tops from a pair of army socks

Graham that describes it perfectly.As a matter of fact,I had to button it right for him cause he had it all willy nilly.The left shoulder strap was buttoned to the first aid pocket lol but while I was doing that I notice the inside buttons.I thought they where spares at the time.This makes me feel even more that it is a modified P68.

The Pocket on the left sleeve is actually a pen pocket

I had been told it was duel in purpose,although I guess it is really down to what you can fit in it!So,Graham what would you say a reasonable price for a modified p68 is?

Price I dont know I would think you would have to negotiate with the current owner and it would depend on how much you want the smock and what you are prepared to pay