Now this is something you don't find everyday, and definitely one of the rarest pieces of HBT. These shirts are something of a mystery. This one has had its tag removed, but the very few others I've come across are tagged simply with 'N366 1945 MADE IN AUSTRALIA'. I believe there is a broadarrow stamp and a set of initials that could be the manufacturer. They are part of set, with a matching pair of pants, and a coverall not too dissimilar in pattern from the frogskin used by US Army & Marines. They appear to have been made in both HBT & Twill, again like the USN N3 set. The design itself is reminiscent of US fatigue shirts, but with a bellowed back not too dissimilar from an M42 jump jacket.
The exact use of these is unknown, even whether they were made for the Australian, British or US armies is unknown. The few that have provenance seem to have come from US Navy sailors, so possibly a reverse lend-lease piece. If you have any more information on these, or a photo of them in use, please let me know, a photo would make Matt at Klaxon Howl's year. A little more can be read on the US Militaria Forum here.
Condition
Apart from the missing label, this is deadstock
Size
- No tag
- Fits a modern medium
- Pit to pit 22"
- Shoulder to shoulder 17"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 27"