Vintage Raincoats and Trenchcoats.

[LadyBaltimore]

Watching "The Big Sleep" with Humphrey Bogart this evening…

 

[nightandthecity]

fantastic film (and book) mi'lady!

1957 RAF trenchcoat

 

[nightandthecity]

US Army M-1942

 

[Dinerman]

1920s Marx-Made

 

[Two Types]

Fantastic contributions, N&C. Are they all yours?

I was surprised to see how old looking the 1972 coat was. How does it compare to earlier despatch riders coats in terms of quality etc?

 

[herringbonekid]

yes, great collection of coats N&TC. why is the Bell motor coat fastening a woman's way ?

my dream is to find a 40s despatch coat but in a less stiff fabric. the rubberised stuff is like card.

 

[nightandthecity]

they are mostly ones I have sold - only mine in the sense of business stock. That's why I have photos of them! I don't generally have a reason to photograph my own stuff!

TT, one or two of them are pics I lifted off ebay out of reference interest, and that includes the 1972 DR coat, so I can;t really comment on its quality and detailing, but in the pictures it looks pretty indistinguishable from a 40s/50s one.

HBK, I think it is general degeneration that stiffens the rubberized macintosh fabric, I have (and have had) both DR coats and "Riding macs" that are quite soft and flexible. My main gripe with the DR coats is the sheer weight, the huge multiple press studs around the hem certainly don't help here.

 

[Two Types]

If you come across any in my size (I have a 44 inch chest) let me know. I'm always on the lookout for a raincoat.

 

[Dinerman]

WWII officer's trench

 

[Hal]

...1957 RAF trenchcoat...

Are you sure this is a British coat? I believe that RAF airmen (as opposed to officers) did not have raiincoats in 1957. Could it be from a different Anglophone nation?

WWII officer's trench[/IMG]

Of what nationality is this one? British examples are very rare and you'd be lucky to have one.

 

[Dinerman]

Of what nationality is this one? British examples are very rare and you'd be lucky to have one.

US Army

 

[nightandthecity]

Are you sure this is a British coat? I believe that RAF airmen (as opposed to officers) did not have raiincoats in 1957. Could it be from a different Anglophone nation?

hi Alan, yes you are right, my mistake from hurrying, it is Canadian

 

[herringbonekid]

 

[Two Types]

Single breasted with peak lapels: that's my idea of a raincoat. But the largest size they stocked was a 40 - not much chance of me finding one in my size!

 

[nightandthecity]

If you come across any in my size (I have a 44 inch chest) let me know. I'm always on the lookout for a raincoat.

I'll make a note of that TT!

BTW, a word of useful advice when perusing evilbay - the 1940s British and US military raincoats are cut seriously oversize, as they were designed for wear over not just tunic but a greatcoat if need be. This means they will usually fit from one to two sizes bigger than labelled when wearing normal clothing. You will probably find that a labelled 40 will fit you, and a labelled 42 should definitely fit you. If the sellers measurements are reliable (granted that's usually a big if!) that will be your best guide to the fit.

 

[Two Types]

Yes, that's good advice. I did pick up a single breasted British army raincoat last year on ebay. The chest measurement looked good but the coat didn't have any labels to show the fit-size. It was probably a size 40. As a result, whilst the chest was just about ok, the shoulders were too narrow. I had a similar situation with a duffel coat. One size up would have been ideal. I'm still waiting to find a replacement for the trenchcoat, but i had a slice of luck with the duffel coat: 1940s RN issue in good condition, £45. Certainly a good price, the last comparable duffel coats I've seen were between £85 and £150.

 

[Luftwaffles]

I own a Korean War(?) US Army officer's private purchase trench in gabardine.

 

[herringbonekid]

1940:

i've noticed that Kays will re-use illustrations (and probably stock) from earlier catalogues.
that same coat is also in the '37 catalogue:

... interesting that you could get the slanted map pocket (as on the military issue courier coat) on a mail order coat.

 

[rocketeer]

Just curious Mr Types Are the catalogues from a collection of yours? I have only ever encountered one old mail order catalogue and that was for the London store, Army and Navy(mid 1930s). Cost me around £45 but gave it as a wedding present to some friends of mine

1931

1933

1927

1957:

1953

1943

1953

1950

 

[herringbonekid]

Just curious Mr Types Are the catalogues from a collection of yours?

they're from an online collection:

http://www.worldofkays.org/website/search?search_list=1937&type_id=16