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M1951 with side panels?

Tylbor

Well-Known Member
Field coats are my element, as well as flight jackets. Being honest I'm a big fan of military surplus.
Talking about field jackets, I have M1943, M1950, M1951, at least four M65, ECWCS... but this one is a different story. The point is that I've noticed something I thought was M1951 jacket but with side panels, just like in M1943. It's a cotton, wind resistant sateen jacket. MIL-C-11448. It differs a bit from other M1951 jackets. Here are some images, does anyone of you know the story behind this jacket? Is this just a modified M1951?

s-l1600-143.jpg
s-l1600-144.jpg
s-l1600-145.jpg
 

Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
Wojciech, there were several M-51 patterns, this is one of them. There was even an M51 with “cut off” corners on the chest pockets (as on the G-1 pockets). I had many different M51s, from the very first pattern with woolen inner pockets to the last one, which was already almost like M65 (I mean zips,buttons, pockets, fabric, white pockets inside). They were all slightly different in cut. The most generous were the first, the most "simple" - the last.
 

Tylbor

Well-Known Member
Hi,
thanks a lot!
It seems I was much more familiar with the last generation of M51s. I mean I new there were some jackets with a brass zipper and that there was a 1963 pattern with flat chest pockets and cut off corners but I haven't noticed that early jackets have side panels. My M51 is from the last contract I believe.
https://tylbor.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F179021063591 I also noticed that early jackets do not even have M1951 written on the labels, but instruction mentions wearing it with a M1951 liner.
Now I guess I need to buy it.
Best
 

Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
Hi,
thanks a lot!
It seems I was much more familiar with the last generation of M51s. I mean I new there were some jackets with a brass zipper and that there was a 1963 pattern with flat chest pockets and cut off corners but I haven't noticed that early jackets have side panels. My M51 is from the last contract I believe.
https://tylbor.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F179021063591 I also noticed that early jackets do not even have M1951 written on the labels, but instruction mentions wearing it with a M1951 liner.
Now I guess I need to buy it.
Best

On my early M51 jackets, M-1951 was written, but this inscription was made directly on the jackets by paint, and not on white labels as it was later.
 

Tylbor

Well-Known Member
Who makes the best repo M1943 ?
I have no idea about repos.
I collect only original items. It usually takes me a lot of time or luck to find something inexpensive in a decent condition.
First one is M1943 size 38R (I think it's a bit larger than M65 Medium Regular but not as big as Large) and two others are M1950; for some reason only Small Regular are available, but they run a bit larger. The one with patches in a center I bought for less than $10 ;)

IMG_9457.JPG
 

Officer Dibley

Well-Known Member
i thought we were talking M-51’s here ?

Bit random to ask about M-43’s.

I’d never noticed those small differences in M-51’s. I know the earlier ones are much bigger though. I can wear a medium early ‘51 or than an xl M-65

I have half a dozen in my attic. I’ll dig them out and have a closer comparison today.

IMHO the M-51 is the best combat jacket out there

Dave
 

Tylbor

Well-Known Member
i thought we were talking M-51’s here ?

Bit random to ask about M-43’s.

I’d never noticed those small differences in M-51’s. I know the earlier ones are much bigger though. I can wear a medium early ‘51 or than an xl M-65

I have half a dozen in my attic. I’ll dig them out and have a closer comparison today.

IMHO the M-51 is the best combat jacket out there

Dave
I guess to fully understand the phenomenon of M1951 field coat it was necessary to mention its ancestor :D
I can’t wait to see these jackets, sir.
 

Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
i thought we were talking M-51’s here ?

Bit random to ask about M-43’s.

I’d never noticed those small differences in M-51’s. I know the earlier ones are much bigger though. I can wear a medium early ‘51 or than an xl M-65

I have half a dozen in my attic. I’ll dig them out and have a closer comparison today.

IMHO the M-51 is the best combat jacket out there

Dave


Hi Dave, I know how you love the M51, so I was expecting you in this thread :). You're right. My 1952 M51 jacket was larger than M51 from1965, was the same Small size but fits more like Medium, although this often happens with field jackets.

Here is this jacket (with side panels). In the end, I sold it to a good guy and kept a later version.







Here is my anotherM51 jacket from 1956.Also with side panels.




At one time my wife wore it a lot when there was a fashion for oversized military jackets, not best pic but here you can see side panels.




But strangely enough, my favorite M51 is this one, this is probably the last contract of this jacket - made in 1965. Bought it NOS.It looks more like an M65 but with a shirt collar and button cuffs.
It has much more trim fit than older versions. No panels :)
Really love this jacket.





Attention on the panel on first and secind jakets, @Tylbor.
 
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Tylbor

Well-Known Member
Thanks. These early coats looks great. As well as the newest one. Despite different contracts I guess my M51 may be from the same time. Mine was from 1965. Despite being a big enthusiast of surplus especially stenciled jackets I must confess I like your NOS jacket a lot ;)
 

Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
Thanks. These early coats looks great. As well as the newest one. Despite different contracts I guess my M51 may be from the same time. Mine was from 1965. Despite being a big enthusiast of surplus especially stenciled jackets I must confess I like your NOS jacket a lot ;)

Thanks, since this is cotton, not NYCO like on M65, after wearing and washes, it quickly acquires cool look. This is an old photo when I just bought it. Now it looks different - better:) I also think that well used field jackets looks much better than new.
 

Officer Dibley

Well-Known Member
Hi Dave, I know how you love the M51, so I was expecting you in this thread :). You're right. My 1952 M51 jacket was larger than M51 from1965, was the same Small size but fits more like Medium, although this often happens with field jackets.

Here is this jacket (with side panels). In the end, I sold it to a good guy and kept a later version.







Here is my anotherM51 jacket from 1956.Also with side panels.




At one time my wife wore it a lot when there was a fashion for oversized military jackets, not best pic but here you can see side panels.




But strangely enough, my favorite M51 is this one, this is probably the last contract of this jacket - made in 1965. Bought it NOS.It looks more like an M65 but with a shirt collar and button cuffs.
It has much more trim fit than older versions. No panels :)
Really love this jacket.





Attention on the panel on first and secind jakets, @Tylbor.

GREAT post Dimitri !! Indeed we share that view of M-51’s. Been a but busy of late but when i saw this thread, i was unable to not post :)

Hope you are well ?

Dave
 
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