Description
Physical description
Single-breasted non-reversible combat smock of cotton gabardine printed with a camouflage pattern (DPM, or Disruptive Pattern Material) of dark-brown and light-green swirls on a light khaki field, over which are superimposed black irregular 'twig' shapes. The smock features a turn-down collar with a button fitted to the rear of the neck for the attachment of a matching hood, button-down shoulder epaulettes which can also be used to facilitate the hood attachment, a full-length vertical zip closure to the front concealed by a fly fastening of five exposed buttons, two angled breast pockets and two straight skirt pockets of patch form with pointed button flaps, a pencil pocket of patch form with pointed button flap to the upper left arm and single button cuffs. There is a concealed drawcord fitted to the waist for tighter fit, and one more to the hem of the skirt. Inside of the smock is sewn a tail of DPM cloth intended to be brought up between the wearer's legs and fastened by buttons located in three matching pairs to the inside front. Internally, the smock is fully-lined in olive green fabric and there is a large pocket closed by two buttons to the lower rear, intended to stow a rolled poncho, NBC suit or quilted liner. All buttons are of plastic four-hole variety and are grey-green in colour.
Label
The universal issue of camouflage uniform clothing as a standard item to all ranks and branches of the British Army began with the introduction of the 1960 pattern DPM Combat Dress. Although the DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) camouflage was not produced until 1968 (issued in 1969), it was initially manufactured in the style of the older 1960 pattern Combat Dress - hence '1960 pattern DPM Combat Dress', and was externally recognisable by its multi-stitched collar and re-enforcing elbow patches. The 1968 pattern was however a modification of the earlier pattern and featured many progressive elements. The cloth was of better quality and the lining lighter; the collar was changed reflecting the type used on Airborne Forces' Denison smocks; and the new design permitted a removable hood to be worn. Reasonably resistant to wet and windy conditions, the smock and trousers combat suit were comfortable and practical unless saturated, and then would require effort to dry them. As part of the 'layer principle' for clothing then current, the soldier was issued with a quilted waistcoat, made of dark-green padded nylon, under which he could wear: the Pullover, Heavy Duty, and his Shirt, KF (khaki fatigue). Green drawers with elasticated waist and ankles were issued for wear under the trousers during the winter months in the field.
Badges of rank were worn initially sewn in the conventional fashion to epaulettes for officers (or detachable rank slides), and chevrons, etc to sleeves for NCOs. By the mid-1970s removable brassards were in wide-scale use, worn by NCOs to the right arm only, often with rank badges made of a dark-green pattern and sometimes with a stylised badge of regimental pattern above. As part of the 'Combat Suit' uniform, a peaked field cap ('Combat Cap'), made of identical material, together with a detachable hood, was issued to each soldier.
In warmer temperatures the wearing of the combat suit often proved uncomfortably hot, therefore some soldiers, who were able to procure a second set, often modified them by removing the linings entirely. This 'deficiency' may well have contributed to the thinking that eventually led to the adoption of the 1984 Pattern Combat Dress, which, as it turned out, was to be of an inferior quality and unpopular with those who wore it.
Mixture of printed text and handwriting
STANDARD PATTERN No. 20244
Specification No. UK/SC/3654
Catalogue No. 8405-99-['122-7329-38' is crossed out and replaced with '132-1821-30]
Designation Supplies shall differ from this Pattern
in the following respects:-
SMOCK MAN'S 8405-99-122-6079-87
COMBAT. FOR GURKHA
PATT 20244 TO GUIDE
THIS LABEL IS NOT TO BE DETACHED FROM THE PATTERN.
Approved by R.A. Earl [signature] Date of sealing 9-9-1970
D.D.I.S.C.
NV/528/93
Inscription
SMOCK MAN'S COMBAT
N.A.T.O. Stock No.
SIZE 5
NATO SIZE 7080/9505
S.C.R.D.E.
Contract No.
NAME
NO.
Inscription
SMOCK COMBAT
1. Lubricate zipper fastener
with lightly oiled cloth for free
movement.
2. If zipper snags, work loose
gently. Do not use force.
FOR COLD WEATHER
1. Tie waist drawcord loosely
before closing zipper fastener.
2. Button front flap for added
protection.
3. For additional warmth tighten
both bottom edge drawcord and
cuffs.
4. For ventilation loosen draw-
cords and/or open zipper closure.
HOOD
Attached hood to the button at
back of neck under collar and to
the shoulder strap buttons.
KEEP COOL ... DON'T OVERHEAT