The French colonial war in Indochina was the last war in which paratroopers would see regular use, and at points there was as many as one jump per week. This gave the French some time to refine the designs for their jump gear. A rapid succession of design updates would through from 1947 to 1954. This is the second iteration, the 51. It's only a slight difference from the 1947, making pockets wider, and adding ventilation zippers to the rear beneath the armpits. This particular example comes in khaki which were intended for use in France (versus the camo version for Indochina), but I've seen plenty of photos of them in use in South East Asia. This is certainly one of the most complex iterations of the denison smock with the pocket on the lower rear, angled lower front pockets, multiple pockets to the upper chest, and the ventilation zippers I've already mentioned. Worth noting on this example the lower back has been modified with some hbt to turn the vent zips into a poacher's pocket.
Only produced for a year and often worn to death, these are a remarkably hard to find garment.
Condition
Well used but in solid shape. Some areas of wear, particularly the right cuff and one small hole on the upper left sleeve. The pocket zippers (all Sifer) are in good working order, though the main zipper (Liff) I believe is a period replacement. It's a little stiff at the bottom. The tail has been period removed.
Size
- Tagged a 38 and fits like a modern large
- Pit to pit 27"
- Shoulder to shoulder 22"
- Shoulder to cuff 23"
- Collar to hem 31"