Original Design 03: M1951 Parka
Posted on January 24, 2008
Filed Under Military Design, Feature: Original Design, Jackets and Shoulderpieces
The M1951 Parka was developed as a flexible extreme cold weather solution for US Soldiers during the Korean war. More commonly know as the “Fishtail Parka”, it has been the inspiration for many Stone Island parka designs including the white label fur trimmed version to this season antique reflective. The iconic fishtail and diagonal pocket design make M1951 both an icon of fashion and military design, even 50 years after its creation. Click below to learn more about the M1951 Parka.
M1951 Parka-Hood. Detachable winter hood trimmed in wolf fur. The wolf fur was later replaced to be synthetic fur after the wolf was put on the endangered species list.
The M-1951 “Fishtail Parka”
The Parka-Shell, M1951 and is companion Parka-Liner, M1951 were adopted for general military use in 1951. The parka-shell’s integral cloth hood could attach over the separate fur-trimmed M1951 parka hood or under the helmet.
M1951 Parka-Shell. Outer shell for the M51.
The parka-shell was made of a water-repellent cotton/nylon in the Olive Green shade 107. The slide fastening opening, pocket arrangements, and draw-cord design incorporated improved features. The parka-liner made of 16-ounce mohair frieze, had no hood. The combination was scheduled to be released to every soldier, but saw only sporadic appearances very late in the war.
M1951 Parka-Liner. Constructed of mohair frieze and was non hooded.
Features of the M1951 Parka
To offer a flexible cold weather solution, the M1951 parka featured fully detachable parts including the lining and hood attachement. Additional features included the fastening shoulder epaulettes, that could be used for holding a soldiers hat, or other small items.
The split back gave the M1951 the name of the fishtail parka, however a common mistake when wearing the M1951 is wearing the fishtail tied together. The correct way to wear the parka in cold weather is to tie the front string to the back string so the parka wraps around the leg sealing in the warm air.
Left: Wrong! Fishtail tied together. Right: Correct! Tied front to back.
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6 Responses to “Original Design 03: M1951 Parka”
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Great find again G.
Looking forward to next Original Design post. Good to know that gear we all love so much has a history behind it.
Superb Gene, my favourite style of jacket ever!!! Got the SI Fur Trim, Teflon Coated and Reflective and they are all superb pieces. I never knew the ties on bottom of fish tail were to wrap around your legs mind from front to back though - amazing!!! You learn something new everyday - knowledge is the Bomb!!!
Again, credit where credit is due, thank you for sharing your research with us and keep up the good work Gene!
M195M1951 Parka-Liner. Constructed of mohair frieze and was non hooded.1 Parka-Shell. Outer shell for the M51.
The M-1951 parka-shell was made of a water and wind repellent 100 % cotton.
Correct me if I’m wrong but a genuine M1951 parka should be made from a 70/30 cotton / nylon Quarpel treated material that resists wind and moisture.