US Army M-1943 Field Jacket Rare '370B' 1st Pattern - Deadstock

The classic WW2 field jacket in it's earliest form. As a quick history, the first models of the M-1943 - the 'Spec-A' are prototypes, non of which are known the exist. The first issued pattern, the '379B' was incredibly short lived, dated July 43, and the 'Spec-370C' dated November 1943. The would be replaced by the '370D' in February 44, and the ubiquitous '370E' in Feb 1945. More complex, in late November 1944 a "Pattern B" is introduced, substantially enlarging the size to accommodate a liner. I know that's a lot to take in, but in short, this is an early example of the specification of a jacket that would have been issued before D-Day and would have been worn by the army in the ETO, and is a normal size. Early 370B models are incredibly rare, especially in good condition.

This particular example is named to Alfred Alegria of Fort Lee NJ. Alegria served in the USAAF as a Bombardier on B-29s, but was unfortunately killed in December 1944 in a crash in South Carolina.

Condition

Deadstock and perfect.

Size

• Tagged a size 38R
• Fits a modern medium
• Pit to pit 22"
• Shoulder to shoulder 19"
• Shoulder to cuff 24"
• Collar to hem 30"