Cotton Drill Parkas from the 1940s and 50s

[Mangrove]

While browsing Canadian catalogs from the 1940s and 50s, I noticed that most of the parkas were made out of cotton drill (c. 9 oz/yd²) and equipped with coyote fur. Has anyone got an actual example? Nowadays drill is used mostly in linings, does it hold well in that use?

From Eaton's Fall and Winter 1948-49, pg. 240.

 

[ando.thun]

I've got a Woolrich Woolen Mills hunting parka made from cotton drill and it is really tough. It's not a light jacket but even after 3 years of constant wearing there are no visible signs of use.

Also my Highwayman has cotton drill lining and it hold well till now. The main reason I choosed cotton drill was the fact that it is the least insulating lining Aero offers. More weartime...

 

[Mangrove]

The most expensive, about 1/3 more than cotton drill, parkas seems to have been made out of cotton poplin or sateen. Army & Navy Fall and Winter 1958-59 advertises single model of nylon parka as an alternative for cotton and it is priced between the drill and poplin/sateen. The U.S. Army tests have shown sateen to be a bit more wear resistance than the drill/twill.

 

[Mangrove]

Does anyone else think these could be great templates for vintage looking parkas? Add a fur ruff, model the pockets a bit etc. Czech Army Winter Parka.

 

[cordwangler]

Great write-up on usage of different garments in extreme northern cold, including cotton.

*waits for inevitable, entirely non-specific 'cotton kills' comments*

Empire Canvas Works make good quality stuff, plus there's various makers of Ventile parkas and/or smocks out there, with or without fur hoods.

 

[cordwangler]

There are a few threads discussing various types of cotton outdoors garments, including this anorak thread.

Plus an Antarctic thread.