03-27-2007, 10:26 PM
Marc allowed me to use these pics of a uniform he is selling. I am not 100% sure what it is, so I wanted to start this thread.
There are a few possibilites here:
1. Its one of the original styles tried when the VP was being developed in 1945, but they decided to stay with the traditional embroidery. The examples could have been used (as would seem to be shown here) or stored.
2. Its an experimental varient from 1946/1947. I am not sure why, just a year after it came out, they would be doing heavy modifications to the M1945, but then never really change anything. (Marc: did you get the 1946/47 idea from a book, article, the buttons, other collector? i am not saying its wrong, but I would like to know for my own info if there is an article or something I missed.)
3. Its a variation that first came out; they were produced in very limited number. Very possible (Marc: you said you saw a photo of another of these; was it in a collection, or was it an issue shot, showing a general in wear with it?).
My bet is #3. If the photo that Marc saw was of this style in wear, along with the fact that this uniform shows some wear (order marks, etc), makes me think it saw actual use. Experimental / prototypes never made it out of the design process, so if it was issued it would be a "varient" (very rare) but not an experimental or prototype.
I have 10 years in dealing with M1945 generals uniforms, and have had and /or sold about 100 of them in all (or close to it). I have only seen this embroidery on one ofther VP generals item (a cap) and I chalked it up to a variation at the time.
Marc: can you do some interior shots? Also, the buttons; are they the 1946 style or the 1940 style and if they are the 1940 style do they have green field paint on the back.
DougD
There are a few possibilites here:
1. Its one of the original styles tried when the VP was being developed in 1945, but they decided to stay with the traditional embroidery. The examples could have been used (as would seem to be shown here) or stored.
2. Its an experimental varient from 1946/1947. I am not sure why, just a year after it came out, they would be doing heavy modifications to the M1945, but then never really change anything. (Marc: did you get the 1946/47 idea from a book, article, the buttons, other collector? i am not saying its wrong, but I would like to know for my own info if there is an article or something I missed.)
3. Its a variation that first came out; they were produced in very limited number. Very possible (Marc: you said you saw a photo of another of these; was it in a collection, or was it an issue shot, showing a general in wear with it?).
My bet is #3. If the photo that Marc saw was of this style in wear, along with the fact that this uniform shows some wear (order marks, etc), makes me think it saw actual use. Experimental / prototypes never made it out of the design process, so if it was issued it would be a "varient" (very rare) but not an experimental or prototype.
I have 10 years in dealing with M1945 generals uniforms, and have had and /or sold about 100 of them in all (or close to it). I have only seen this embroidery on one ofther VP generals item (a cap) and I chalked it up to a variation at the time.
Marc: can you do some interior shots? Also, the buttons; are they the 1946 style or the 1940 style and if they are the 1940 style do they have green field paint on the back.
DougD
