Following the success of the frogskin pattern in WW2, in the early 1950s the US military started to experiment with camouflage as a standard pattern for its uniforms. Not much is known about these early, and largely hand painted patterns, but the two that resulted were known as Vine Leaf or USMC Standard and Cloud or Mitchell Pattern. These two patterns would be printed onto reversible fabric, with one side designed for temperate climates, the other for dry climates. Today, they are collectively referred to as Mitchell Pattern.
There were never actually any Mitchell garments widely issued, only shelter halves and helmet covers, but the pattern did make it onto a few tailor made and commercially available items. This is one of the former, an extremely hard to find four pocket jacket. This was certainly constructed from shelter halves as you can clearly see where it's been unpicked down the right hand sleeve and in other areas. Likely this would have been made in either Okinawa or one of the many tailors in Vietnam.
The design draws its inspiration from somewhere between an M51 Field Jacket and a Jungle Jacket. Four pockets, two chest, two skirt, with the upper pocket's having a flap to cover the button beneath. There is also an internal pocker. The buttons are the same slightly domed and polished plastic found on the P53 shirt.
Condition
This is an absolutely great condition. The colours are super strong, the material in great shape, and bar a couple of tiny holes (one on the front pocket, and another on the side seam) this is genuinely perfect.
Size
- No tags, but fits like a perfect size medium
- Pit to pit 22"
- Shoulder to shoulder 20"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 29"