I always love a good experimental piece, and great to finally secure one of these very rare garments. In 1943 the Dow Company, whilst experimenting with non-metallic armour, invented Doron, a laminate based plate that was effective at stopped shrapnel fragments. The Marines started a program to test the plates, both sewn into standard P41 jackets, and into purpose-made vests. This is example of the later, a purpose made vest with pockets sewn into the lining to house the doron plates. I understand that the Marines ordered 2000 of them for testing, but they arrived very late in the war and only saw limited use at the end of the Okinawa campaign.
The vest itself is constructed from army weave hbt, and features 13 internal pockets plus two shoulder pockets. It's closed with three straps across the chest, and a press stud at the collar, and has two adjustment straps on either side of the chest. It originally had a size tag in the collar, but this has been removed.
Condition
Excellent unused condition, and still includes a cutter tag in the lower pocket, and tailors marks are still visible. Has a couple of light marks from storage.
Size
- Originally tagged a large, but tag has been removed
- Unadjusted approx 26" pit to pit
- Shoulder to shoulder 21"
- Collar to hem 27"