Reversible smock

Hello
I want to show strange and interesting piece, the reversible smock. The information on this piece is limited, if not non-existent. It is known to be used in the islands by the images and videos you can see very clearly. Even Brigadier Julian Thompson, appears in a short interview, wearing this jacket. It is a piece of high quality, double closure, two pockets with Velcro cuffs and low settings, using clips, heavy waterproof fabric. There are matching pants, made exactly the same characteristics. Now raise these questions: was a garment provided to all units or only to paratroopers and Royal Marines? Although it seems as if so, would appear on more occasions. On the other hand, is a modern garment and expensive for the time, therefore, may be that was tested for or during the conflict. I rely on photographic and documentary evidence, as I saw both and there was no trace. My experience with them, I found that have a defect. Of the four I had in the collection, a bow completely stuck. The whites had become sticky and it was a disaster. Could not use it unless he wanted to always lend to me and white stain clothing. Recently, another reversible manipulating the collection, I realized that the hood and sleeves, were suffering the same "disease" presenting areas remains sticky and white pigment. In short, I think having good clothes of waterproof, both DPM as olive, rejected this garment complex. Show you some pictures of royal marines and paratroopers taking it. Greetings.


Etiqueta pantalones defectuosos - Tag defective pants

Julian Thompson & Royal marines

Para battalion

Royal marines

Royal marines

Paras

Royal marine ¿?

I believe they were Royal Marines issue but like a lot of other items were used I guess by whoever could beg,borrow or steal some.

Unfortunately yours are not Falklands issue but later,may well be the same or even identical to the Falklands era ones.

Have a jacket somewhere stored away,will have to try to dig it out.

Very nice reversible Jacket, like Gulf said, I too believe these were RMC issue, and yours is a post Falklands / later model.

Re: The Para wearing one,he might well have traded his for a para smock ,who knows,either way nice Jacket and historical reference pictures

They arent that common to be honest but a few months back there was a couple of the same Post Falklands type on Ebay UK.

Trs of any era are harder to source.

Gulf91 wrote:They arent that common to be honest but a few months back there was a couple of the same Post Falklands type on Ebay UK.

Trs of any era are harder to source.

Gulf,I saw two recently in a surplus store, I didn't have the cash at the time, went back the next weekend, and they were both gone

I believe they were going for approx £30 each...the search continues

I had a set many years back but wouldn't wear them as there was always a bit of white sicking out to mark you as a target !!

They were hot and sticky to wear. And VERY noisy. Not very hardwearing either - the taping always came off quickly.

Collectible ? Sure but a good bit of kit they were not !

The only decent reversible kit I've ever seen was the German WW2 SS camo smocks. Bette to have green camo and overwhites for arctic conditions.