Original U.S. WWII Airborne Command M1942 Paratrooper M42 Jump Jacket without Reinforcements with Flag Patch & Replaced Zipper and Post-War French-Made Pants with Garrison Cap

Original Item: Only One Available. This Original M1942 Airborne Jump jacket in Olive Drab #3 offered in good, service-worn condition. The coat consists of four front patch pockets with two button snaps on each top flap, with 2 rows on the pockets, to secure different sized items. The jacket also does have the dual-zippered knife pocket located on the upper lapel which was designed to contain a switchblade pocketknife, used to cut the parachute rigging if entangled. The top two pockets were also angled inward to make items easier to retrieve with the opposite hand. This example has a flag patch stitched to the right sleeve, and an Airborne Troop Carrier patch & rocker stitched onto the left shoulder. Attached to the left shoulder board is a strange-shaped dog tag named “Ralph Wachs” with a sticker on the dog tag denoting it as a “Paratrooper Dog tag (rare)”, but we have not found any evidence to support this. 

The jacket is in good condition, with the expected stains and small pulls from service. There are a few repairs and scattered tears. The color is a bit faded, however it does not seem to have shown extensive field use. The original belt is present but tied around the back. The zipper is stamped YKK and appears to have been added later. The jacket has some field repairs on the interior as shown.

Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the uniform, the M1942 pattern was often reinforced with thicker, tougher canvas on the elbows, crotch and knees. However, this example was never reinforced, indicating early issue. The M42 was worn by Paratroops assigned to Airborne units. The M42 was eventually phased out in favor of the M1943 Uniform which was a darker green, OD #7. Despite this, various individuals chose to keep their M42s in order to show their veteran status. The trousers are post-war French manufactured but they look fine for display, and the original cutter tag present denoting that they were made in France. The jacket is marked Size 34 under the collar next to a very faded stamped number. There is an Airborne Command patch and rocker on the left shoulder. There are size stamps on the inside of the pants.

Also included is a Garrison cap with blue piping and an Airborne Paraglider patch on the left side. There is a washed out tag inside. Some rust damage. There was a newspaper talking about a Paratrooper exhibit in the pocket of the jacket along with a button that broke off. 

The attached “Paratrooper dog tag” is stamped:

25829
230
RALPH WACHS

We found no evidence of these being used, so it is likely reproduction and was added later.

This is a wonderful example of a very hard to find early configuration jump jacket with trousers and a garrison cap, in great shape.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
Chest width: 18.5”
Waist: 15"
Hip: 21"
Front length: 30"