M1943 FIELD JACKET

This greatly improved jacket was intended to replace the short pattern 1941 field jacket. The M1943 field jacket was actually only a windproof shell. By 1943 the Americans had accepted the versatile layering concept and the M1943 combat uniform, which included this jacket, was the first manifestation of that concept. Also included were adjustable cotton sateen trousers that could be worn alone in hot weather or over wools in the cold, the high neck 5 button sweater, and a combat boot with an integral, two buckle, legging. All of these items were successfully fielded. The M1943 field jacket was introduced in the fall of that year and gradually worked its way to the troops though it never fully replace the earlier 1941 pattern jacket.

The M1943âs cotton shell was lined with another layer of cotton of slightly lighter color. Its flapped expandable breast pockets were large enough to hold a K-ration box and the flapped internally hung cargo pockets in the skirt of the jacket tremendously increased the soldiers carrying capacity. The jacket front is closed from top to bottom with 3/4" dark brown plastic buttons. It has a draw string in the waist and at the bottom of the skirt to keep out the wind, button adjustable cuffs, a superior button up collar, and can be fitted with a detachable hood. In cold weather, extra shirts, sweaters, or even field jackets might be worn underneath

Color is consistently a dark olive drab (OD). It is advisable to examine several known W.W.II originals as the M1943 design was so sound that it was used with slight modification into the 1950s and these later jackets are a lot greener in color than the W.W.II jackets. These post war variations also had button in liners. The sizing and contract information is sometimes ink stamped on the liner under the collar but it is always on a white tag sewn inside the right skirt pocket.

There are reproductions of this jacket currently available. However, there is still a large supply of original jackets in circulation and recently Norway released a large number of their copy of the M1943 onto the U.S. surplus market. These jackets are a good match and, most important for men with chests over 42", they are available in large sizes.