SAS 1950s wind proof smock

[warzane]

I have what i have been told is a 1950s SAS windproof smock but i dont really know much about it and wondered if somebody on here could help me. heres some pics





thanks for any help

[PUG]

What's with all the hippie **** dangling from your gaff?

[warzane]

Not my "gaff". can you help me?

[PUG]

It looks almost like a faded para smock. Will have a look and see if I can find anything concrete.

[warzane]

ok thanks. i dont really know a lot about it i was only told a tiny bit of info buy a guy at an army surplus store.

[PUG]

It would seem the be the 50's version which is basically a more sandyishness colour compared to the WW2 equivalent. Not 100% mind.

[SHAM]

What's with all the hippie **** dangling from your gaff?

You have a way with Wurds, Ghetto.

[PUG]

You have a way with Wurds, Ghetto.

Why thank you. I try.

[warzane]

anybody else got any info? cheers

[simple jumper]

Not a para smock, just looks like a typical windproof smock, not necessarely just SAS.

[warzane]

anybody know its worth as am looking to sell it once i know more about it. does it look like an original or a remake?

[simple jumper]

Does it have any stamping inside? These have been reproduced as they're a common piece of kit for RM re-enactors.
Not sure on value.

[Arfah]

I presume there's no label or it has not been stamped with the 'crows foot' (war dept. arrow symbol) ?
If no, probably a reproduction, although that's not definite. Turn it inside out and have a good look. Any handwriting, someone's name etc.

There's too many possibilities. It could even be Indian army.

[oldsoak]

IIRC, that pattern was used by the SAS/SBS in Europe in WW2. It was also used by the French in Indochina where it was called "Sausage Skin". I have seen a photograph of it in use in the 60's by UK SF.
Para and SAS smocks were not just issued to the those troops. They were also used by snipers and irregular units ( Popskis private army etc )

[warzane]

theres a green faded label inside with the sizes and HS LTD printed in black.

[Arfah]

Use this page for clues:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denison_smock

[simple jumper]

It's not a Denison smock though. It was used by RMs as well and even other units who could get their hands on them. I had a cadet whos grandfather manage to get one issued in WW2 and this cadet would wear it on weekend outings.

[warzane]

yh i too was a cadet and wore this a few times before even knowing fully what it was. how stupid of me lol

[simple jumper]

Atleast you didn't cut off the sleeves like this kid to make it "cool"...sigh.

[warzane]

mmmm not the cleverest thing to do lol

[Royal]

Its either Indian or the zip's been added by the original owner (either way its well-post WWII).

[baboon6]

IIRC, that pattern was used by the SAS/SBS in Europe in WW2. It was also used by the French in Indochina where it was called "Sausage Skin". I have seen a photograph of it in use in the 60's by UK SF.
Para and SAS smocks were not just issued to the those troops. They were also used by snipers and irregular units ( Popskis private army etc )

The camouflaged windproofs (smock and trousers) were issued to many units; for example in at least the first winter in Korea pretty much all British troops had them. 52nd Lowland Div (ironically trained as a mountain warfare formation) wore them in North West Europe in 1944-45.

[Ed Robinson]

It is British WW2. First issued in about 44. Issued to some infantry units, snipers and strangely enough to tank crew as a one piece overall. Good luck finding the trousers.
I have one hanging in my collection, unfortunately mine has no labels.
I had it for years and never was quite sure as to what it was, I found out about it in one of those ‘Military illustrated books on the British uniforms and equipment in WW2. “(?) Its my sons book and he is away with the Army at the moment so I cant give you the correct name of the book until he come back.

[Royal]

It is British WW2.

Without seeing it that is difficult to tell, but far more were made and issued in the 50s than during WWII, so its more likely to be a later version than an original - particularly as zips were very uncommon in WWII.


First issued in about 44.

First issued in the Med in 1942, then to Commando units in the UK, then more widely.


Issued to some infantry units, snipers and strangely enough to tank crew as a one piece overall. Good luck finding the trousers.

How can a smock be issued as a one piece overall?

[Connaught Ranger]

I do remember reading somewhere about vintage British WW2 SAS / SBS camo being issued out to British SF in the first Gulf war as a British desert camo pattern had been sold on to Iraq before Saddam Insane invaded Kuwait.

Connaught Ranger

[Christophe]

Connaught,
don't you mean the WW2-era sand coloured smocks as issued to the B2Z patrol?

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/ItemDescription/SAS+SAND+4+POCKET+SMOCK/ItemId/6472/Default.aspx

[Connaught Ranger]

Connaught,
don't you mean the WW2-era sand coloured smocks as issued to the B2Z patrol?

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/ItemDescription/SAS+SAND+4+POCKET+SMOCK/ItemId/6472/Default.aspx

As far as I can recall it was a camo pattern such as used for landing on beaches in WW2 mainly by the SBS and similar to the jacket in this thread.

Connaught Ranger.:)

[baboon6]

The sand-coloured "SAS" smock was used in WW2:

[warzane]

Its either Indian or the zip's been added by the original owner (either way its well-post WWII).

The zip i think was put in by the owner as the stitching style used is very typical of the ww2 era (sp).

[California Joe]

[James]

That's a great picture. I think I need a smock.

[warzane]

whats that supposed to mean?

[PUG]

whats that supposed to mean?

He thinks he needs a smock.

[James]

I think it would complement my A'Stan loadout. p-)

[wildcat12]

so hardcore I need to quote this cool pic into the next page.

[California Joe]

I think it would complement my A'Stan loadout. p-)


I think that's an excellent idea James.

That pic I posted was posted on milphotos somewhere. I saved it a long time ago. If I remember correctly it was supposedly from the Suez conflict in 1956?

[Connaught Ranger]

I think that's an excellent idea James.

That pic I posted was posted on milphotos somewhere. I saved it a long time ago. If I remember correctly it was supposedly from the Suez conflict in 1956?

I think your picture was from the conflict in Aden, a S.A.S operative in the Radfan.

Connaught Ranger:)

[Pete031]

Smocks were issued as a single piece of kit in the Canadian army.... Based on the British... Used for the SSF and the CAR. Snipers kept them up until we got CADPAT.

[California Joe]

I think your picture was from the conflict in Aden, a S.A.S operative in the Radfan.

Connaught Ranger:)

That was it pal. Thanks. I'm sadly lacking in certain areas of my education...:)

[Ed Robinson]

In relation to my previous post, I should have stated that the same cam pattern was issued to some tank crews as overalls rather than smock and trousers.

[James]

I think that's an excellent idea James.

That pic I posted was posted on milphotos somewhere. I saved it a long time ago. If I remember correctly it was supposedly from the Suez conflict in 1956?

Does anyone know if this zips all the way? Or is it a pullover? I can't tell from the pics.

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/Description/COPY+SAS+1940+SMOCK/ItemId/12602/Default.aspx

[Royal]

Does anyone know if this zips all the way? Or is it a pullover? I can't tell from the pics.

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/Description/COPY+SAS+1940+SMOCK/ItemId/12602/Default.aspx

Its a pullover James

CJ the pic is from the Oman, taken in 1970 by a guy called Niven (can't remember his first name) he did an amazing picture book of 22 SAS guys on Op Storm.

[California Joe]

Oman, Aden, Suez, same thing...:) Christ, I think I'll just stick to the American Civil War. I just thought it was a cool pic.

That rifle is the L42 right? The heavy barreled version of the old SMLE sniper. The Royal Marines used that into the early '80s didn't they?

[Royal]

That rifle is the L42 right? The heavy barreled version of the old SMLE sniper. The Royal Marines used that into the early '80s didn't they?

Later than that mate - I cut my teeth on it p-)

[gaz]

That rifle is the L42 right? The heavy barreled version of the old SMLE sniper. The Royal Marines used that into the early '80s didn't they?

I vaguely remember reading a book about South Georgia during the Falklands war. When South Georgia was invaded the Argentinians sailed a Frigate (The Guerrico?) within small-arms range of the defending Royal Marines. They hammered the sh*t out of it with rifles, machine guns and a Carl Gustaf so it turned around to get out of there which unfortunately for them had them heading towards the Marine's Sergeant Major who started putting shots from his L42 right through the bridge windows - scared the sh*t out of the bridge crew. They then had to sail right past the main group of Marines who hit it again.

[Royal]

which unfortunately for them had them heading towards the Marine's Sergeant Major who started putting shots from his L42 right through the bridge windows - scared the sh*t out of the bridge crew.

WOII Pete Leach - a legend :) but not as famous as his boss p-)

[gaz]

WOII Pete Leach - a legend :) but not as famous as his boss p-)

I thought he was only Fairly Famous?

[Royal]

I thought he was only Fairly Famous?

He is, but Pete Leach is less famous even than that.

[California Joe]

Later than that mate - I cut my teeth on it p-)

I meant the 1980's...:)

[The Saint]

The windproof smocks were all made in WW2, not after as there was an ample supply to use. As stated, many were issued to British troops in Korea and French paratroops during the Indochina War. It (I mean the camo version) was used up to the 1960s and 1970s by SAS (including Rhodesian SAS) and SBS mainly, but by members of other units as well - I saw pictures of Royal Marines wearing it in the late-70s-early 80s as an example. These were often modified by the addition of a full-length zip as on warzane's smock.

What makes me suspecious about the authenticity of your smock is the green label you mention. AFAIK, labels on WW2 clothing were white.

Eric

[PSG-1]

Here are some pictures of my windproof smock, dated 1943:





The tag:



This is an original one.

[Loskop]

so hardcore I need to quote this cool pic into the next page.
I have a B&W version titled as being in dofar

[Eagle The Lightning]

Here are some more pictures from Dhofar, with the smocks