Made of classic HBT material, the P44 fatigue set was developed and introduced toward the tail end of the war as a result of the experience gained during the Marines' hard slog across the pacific. As they were Introduced so late, research seems to suggest they saw limited use in 1945 in Okinawa, but would be used extensively in Korea and by the French in Indochina.
And what a Korean War example we have here, with a beautiful silk blood chit sewn onto the reverse. The blood chit was first developed by the British RAF, used by pilots when flying in India and the middle east to identify themselves to locals in the event of a forced landing. But it was of course the AVG - the famous Flying Tigers and the 14th Air Force over China, Burma and India that popularised them and turned them from a simple survival aid, to something of a WW2 icon. Their use would continue into Korea, and even Vietnam, with both officially issued documents, and locally made souvenirs, that were often bought by soldiers and airmen. This is an example of the later, a locally made, unofficial version, bought by a marine and attached to the back of his P44. The chit itself is silkscreen printed onto a heavy silk fabric, and machine sewn to the HBT.
Condition
The P44 is used but solid shape, with some staining and marks throughout. The chit has some fading, light wear and discolouration, but is otherwise good.
Size
- Tagged a size 38
- Pit to pit 23.5"
- Shoulder to shoulder 18"
- Shoulder to cuff 23"
- Collar to hem 28"