US Army Pre-War HBT Fatigue Shirt with POW Stencils

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 the jacket from that two piece suit. Service life for this set 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. Quickly replaced, and remaining stocks used up as the classic P42 shirt was introduced. 

When the US started taking prisoners, many were issued old uniforms that were surplus to requirements. This is such an example, an obsolete jacket marked for wear by POW. 

Condition

Worn with wear throughout. Size tabs have been removed.

Size:

• No size tag
• Fits medium/large
• Pit to pit 22"
• Shoulder to shoulder 18"
• Shoulder to cuff 23.5"
• Collar to hem 28"