Quite possibly the most iconic and enduring piece of British military clothing ever made. The Denison smock's history lies in the early part of WW2. Having seen the success of the German airborne forces in Norway, Churchill ordered Britain's parachute regiment to be formed and expanded quickly. Initially the British copied the German parachute oversmock, called a knockensack, but soon developed their own large overfitting garment known as a Denison smock. The first iteration was introduced in 1942, and whilst there would be small changes, remained largely unchanged into the late 50s.
This is a 1944 dated example of the second iteration, first introduced just prior to Operation Market Garden. Very unusually, whilst I classify this as a second pattern, it does have features of the earlier first pattern. It has a factory applied set of cuffs rather than a button strap on the cuff. Whilst some may say this is a later modification, I've examined this smock closely and can see no evidence (no torn stitches or cuts etc) that the button strap was ever applied! My assumption is that this is a 'transitional model', one of the earliest second patterns made and has features of both styles.
It also comes with a complete set of Captains rank pips that have been pushed into holes in the epaulettes.
Condition
Excellent mint condition. I believe it's only been washed once or twice and is largely unworn.
Size
- Tagged a size 4
- Fits from a modern medium to large depending upon desired fit
- Pit to pit 27" (if you've never had a denison, these fit very broad across the chest)
- Shoulder to shoulder 22"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 33"