Calling all Brits!

[brigadepiron]

Hello

I am looking to get together a british uniform (early '51) to go with my Belgian one. However, whilst pattern 49 BDs are plentiful, it seems that '1950 pattern combat uniform' (which I understand is the right pattern) is UNFINDABLE - in any size!

Have I been being particually thick? Is there a supplier anyone knows? Can anyone tell me the answer to either question?!!

Thanks

BP

P.S. I'm on the wet side of the Atlantic so any US/Can links will not be too useful!

[Mk2 Vickers gunner]

Greetings. Pattern 1950 BDs ? There was a pattern right after P1949 BDs ? Interesting ....

I have not been sucessful in locating 49s my size, xx-lg, & P37's or P44s do not convert. So my fix for now is use late WWII denims for the impression for warmer months and use a greatcoat over them for the colder winter impression. Suppliers ? None carry a "Korean War period" line of products that I kinow of. Keep an eye on ebay & Jerry at What Price Glory carries a lot of basic items that fill out your impression but for me that p-1949 uniform is elusive for now.

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were part of the 27th Commonwealth Inf Bde in action at Naktong River, a week later at Sonju & Hill 282, a month later at Pakchong & Taegu area. My point is these were milder weather battles in the campaign of 1950 so denims work for my impression.

Best of luck in your search,

Cheers, Johnnie, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

[brigadepiron]

Hello,

The 1950 pattern combat uniform was designed after the winter in 1950 as a stop-gap way of giving the troops some decent clothing. It was based on the US layered approach...

Jacket:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/1950patternCombatJacket.jpg

Trousers:
i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/1950patternCombatTrousers.jpg

Anyway, I *suppose* they (at least the trousers) could be converted from ww2 repops. I'll have to look in to that.

I'm sure that it is possible to convert repro 37 pattern battledress to 1949 pattern, just not the other way arround! I haven't found any (that I can afford) in my size either...

Anyhow, thanks

BP

EDIT: ospreypublishing.com/articles/modern_warfare/korea_defeating_the_communists_fighting_the_cold/
clarifies what I'm talking about!

[cobblers]

Here's a question. I have a set of P49 BD and I noticed that while there is a tab, with a hook, at the top of waistband there is no catch for the hook. After taking a closer look I discovered, floating loose, trapped between the waistband and the lining, a 'bar' that seems to match the hook. I am going to assume that this is the missing catch, but before I open the lining to extract said bar I want to make sure I am correct. I would have posted this as a new topic but I was unable to do so.

Cheers,
Peter

[brigadepiron]

Could you post a picture? I hope you're not talking about the catch and 'belt' on the front of the jacket? If not, if you could post a picture, I'd be able to tell you.

BP

[cobblers]

Here goes nothing.

i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/HGPete/P49trousersinsideleftside.jpg

i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/HGPete/P49trouserrightsidefrontt.jpg

Note how there is nothing for the hook to hook onto. Look at the cutout in the centre of the waistband hook. The bit caught inside the waistband lining is shaped like that at each end, which makes me think that catch is stamped from the centre of the hook. Though I could be thinking too much, hmm I smell burning hair... Why the catch is stuck between the waistband lining is a puzzle.

Cheers Peter

[brigadepiron]

OK, The tab should go througha buckle like this:

i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/brigadepiron/Museums%20of%20the%20Belgians%20in%20the%20Korea%20War/Battledress4.jpg

Granted it's Belgian, it still is identical to what the p49 should look like ~('cept the collar). You see how the tab goes through the buckle in the bottom left. I think yours might have been cut short...

Some clearer pictures would help : )

[cobblers]

Oops, I should have been more specific. The photos I have posted are of the trousers, not the blouse.

Peter

[brigadepiron]

Ah! I must admit that I can't help you. However, your diagnosis of the situation seems to be about right!

Are you going to do korea reenacting? If so, what regiment?

BP

[cobblers]

It is not Korea directly. I do a couple of WW2 Home Guard impressions and I am branching out into the 1950's. However, due to Korea showing British politicians Communist expansionism (imperialism?) there was a concern that the UK was open to an air assault by the Soviets. Thus the Home Guard was reborn in 1952 and died again in 1956. I am thinking of the Ayrshire Home Guard since they got to wear the Glengarry in 1954.

Cheers,
Peter

[brigadepiron]

Fair enough. Was P49 really used by the home guard? They couldn't even get it out to korea in sufficient numbers!

BP

[cobblers]

It depends on the unit. I believe the Northants HG had P49 BD for the officers. Some Cadre bns. got P47. One photo shows one man in P47 and the other two in P49 blouses. There is a photo of the 32nd Essex bn. in a mix of P49 and P40 blouses with P49 trousers. So far I see more P49 blouses than all the others. It just means more digging. Unlike WW2 equipping the Home Guard wasn't a problem. The Truce was in 1953 and the Home Guard wasn't announced until 1952. If anything there were no where near enough volunteers to fill any of the HG bns. So I gather you have a P49 blouse and not the trousers?

Cheers,
Peter

[arvp]

Feb 22, 2011 8:09:11 GMT -5 Mk2 Vickers gunner said:

Greetings. Pattern 1950 BDs ? There was a pattern right after P1949 BDs ? Interesting ....

I have not been sucessful in locating 49s my size, xx-lg, & P37's or P44s do not convert. So my fix for now is use late WWII denims for the impression for warmer months and use a greatcoat over them for the colder winter impression. Suppliers ? None carry a "Korean War period" line of products that I kinow of. Keep an eye on ebay & Jerry at What Price Glory carries a lot of basic items that fill out your impression but for me that p-1949 uniform is elusive for now.

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were part of the 27th Commonwealth Inf Bde in action at Naktong River, a week later at Sonju & Hill 282, a month later at Pakchong & Taegu area. My point is these were milder weather battles in the campaign of 1950 so denims work for my impression.

Best of luck in your search,

Cheers, Johnnie, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

I've never seen denims worn by 27 Bde. JG of late war/ post war pattern (unlikely to be 1950 pattern obviously!) was worn by 1 A&SH and 1 Middx as they had come straight from Hong Kong in the height of summer.

Allen