Original Design 01: M-41 Field Jacket
Posted on January 14, 2008
Filed Under Military Design, Feature: Original Design, Jackets and Shoulderpieces, Stone Island
Ever wonder where the design comes from? The AW ‘05 Stone Island 4A21 gets the honor of being the first of the “Original Design” features. The 4A21 is based off the design of the WWII M-1941 field jacket, believe it or not this design is over sixty years old and was one of the most widely worn jackets by US soldiers during WWII. Click below to see the history of the M-1941.
The History of the M-41
The M-1941 Field jacket, also called Parson’s jacket after its designer Major General J.K. Parsons, was not designated as “M-1941″ at the time. The M-1943 model was the first to be named by its year of adoption and the model of 1941 was simply known as the “Jacket, Field, OD” or “the OD Field Jacket”.
The additional winter hood attachment for M-41.
Its construction was khaki cotton/poplin with an olive flannel lining. The over all style was like a civilian windbreaker in the Army color. It had a Talon zipper, covered by a buttoned fly up the front. The collar and wrists had button tabs as did the waist. Two large vertical pleats behind the shoulders make it easy to fit. The “first pattern M41″ had pocket buttons and lacked the pleats and shoulder epaulettes of the “second pattern M41″ which was the standard production model.
The most widely worn jacket by US troops across Europe.
The M-1941 was widely worn during World War II, even to the end when the M-1943 Field Jacket was the standard issue. It was found to be too light for severe cold conditions, too hot for summer, and did not have good cargo pockets, factors that eventually led to the M-1943 design.
Click here to view more Original Design Features
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7 Responses to “Original Design 01: M-41 Field Jacket”
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Now that must be a first, the US bringing a piece of fashion to the table!!!!!
Joking Gene!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice hood mind
Dunno why, at the minute, I’m LOVING yellow jackets
Great post G, it’s really good to know something more about the brand, design and history.
It would be very interesting to learn what other items have this kind of origin.
Keep ‘em coming!
I will have to quote CTU here, this kind of info is what makes this blog unique in its kind, keep’em coming Gene
Very interesting read, nice work. I didn’t know the Talon zipper has been around that long. It was still in use on some designer clothing into the ’80s.
Interesting ready as ever Gene.
It’s nice to see what goes into the design process of such quality outwear (y).
Keep ‘em coming.
Interesting read - thank you very much.