As the US Army mechanised, it looked for garments that would be harder wearing and cheaper to launder. In a 1937 test of denim versus HBT, the hard wearing green twill fabric had triumphed, and the first production garment was a one-piece suit around 1938. However as 1940 loomed and the prospect of war grew, the army knew it would need a cheaply produced uniform, and the complicated one piece was replaced by a two piece suit.
This is an excellent example of that two piece suit. Service life for this suit however, was not to last long. The jacket, with its shirt style cuffs, pleated pockets and waist ties was encumbered with details unsuitable for rapid mass production. The trousers were a very similar pattern to the cotton trousers of the period and were an unsuitable cut for use as working pants. Quickly replaced, and remaining stocks used up as the classic P42 shirt was introduced.
It's therefor extremely rare to find an unused and completely outstanding set of these early pre-war suits. Both manufactured before Pearl Harbour, and both absolutely pristine.
Condition
Deadstock, unworn and unwashed. Both have a slight brown mark on them, the trousers to the upper left leg, and the jacket on the stomach adjacent to the fourth button from the button. I think these will likely wash out if the new owner so chooses.
Size Shirt:
- Pit to pit 22"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 28.5"
Size Trousers
- Waist 32"
- Inside leg 33"
- Outside leg 44"