US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran
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US Army M42 Paratrooper Jump Jacket Reinforced and Attributed to a Market Garden Veteran

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What can I say about this jacket, quite possibly the most iconic, and certainly one of the most sought after items of clothing from WW2. Designed in 1941 by the then Captain William P. Yarborough, Test Officer for the newly formed parachute divisions. The new jacket featured four pockets, each slanted to allow easy access when wearing all of the required parachute gear, and each pocket with both bellows and a second set of studs to allow for plenty of carrying space. These jackets were only produced for a year or so between 1942-43, and would quickly be replaced by the m1943 field jacket, so examples are rare, and with the popularity of airborne/special forces collecting, one of the hardest pieces to find!

This example is particularly special. On the experience of soldiers in Italy, shortly before D-Day orders were given for paratroopers to send one of their jump suit sets to the regimental riggers for reinforcement. This would take the form of grey canvas that would be hastily applied to the elbows & lower pockets (plus knees and pockets of the pants). The canvas, from what my research tells me, was the same as used on army tents and was in some cases 'impregnated" with an oil to further aid in adding strength. The result is a distinctly waxy feel to these parts of this jacket. The stitching is done rather badly using a heavy 100% cotton thread.

This particular jacket features a Crown main zipper, and both knife pocket zippers are Serval. The press studs are the zinc version, and it features khaki & brass grommets in the armpits. The tag is in the pocket, but is well washed out.

The laundry number, whilst washed out, is B-2091 which belonged to a PFC Elbert Barnett of the 504th PIR. I have further evidence of this being his jacket that I will supply to the new owner. Elbert Barnett (b. 7/10/1920 d. 3/31/1987) was a native of California. He would enlist in the US Army Engineers 2nd March 1941. Barnett would serve in the Regimental HQ demolition section of the 504th. They would fight in North Africa and Italy, and be held in reserver not jumping on D-Day. They would drop into the Graves area of Holland on Market Garden, the only parachute regiment to do so in their reinforced jump jackets. You'll see a faint shadow of an 82nd patch on the upper shoulder.

Condition

This is in good but used condition. There are a few marks and scratches to the pockets, but for a combat worn jacket, this is in amazing shape

Size

  • No tag, but likely would have been a 38 Short (these fit small)
  • Pit to pit 20"
  • Waist 17" 
  • Shoulder to shoulder 19"
  • Shoulder to cuff 23"
  • Collar to hem 27"