As the war came to a close the US was becoming increasingly aware of a new threat in the east , and set about a programme of modernisation to fight what could potentially become a much colder war. The M47 parka really just updated WW2 models, but in the M48 the Army found a great combination. A heavy windproof shell and interchangeable lining that could be swapped out depending upon temperature. Both the M47 & M48 would find use in the early years of the Korean War, but as the US faced the reality of fighting a larger war in freezing temperatures, the M48 proved too complex and costly to produce. And with the M1951 an enduring classic was born. Made of a three piece set, shell, liner and hood, the garment could be quickly produced to meet the needs of a rather cold army in Asia.
But it was not in the mountains of Korea that the M51 would find fame, but on the streets of swinging London in the late 50s and early 60s. The Mods would take the parka as their garment of choice, and wear them whilst cruising around on mopeds!
This is a garment built for the extremes. A cotton poplin shell, with heavy pile liner and fur trimmed hood. There is very very little that this garment will not endure.
Condition
I've never had to spend a whole morning removing leftover thread from the manufacturing process until today. This is straight out of the factory and never worn. Obviously you can see the cutter tags - there are 13 of them, one for every major panel on the shell, if you look really closely you can also see yellow chalk markers marks near some of the buttons. Its absolutely perfect, and probably the cleanest one of these left.
Size
- This is tagged a size medium
- It'll fit anything from a medium through to an extra-large depending upon desired fit
- Pit to pit 26"
- Shoulder to shoulder 21"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 40"