British WWII SBS Smock

[armoldgasbag]

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Hello,

I am trying to find more information out about a smock at the Imperial War Museum. The only information I have is what it says on the display;

"Uniform of R.Maitland-Flanagan, a Royal Navy diver attached to the SBS and other Special Forces for operations in the Aegean and Adriatic Seas''

I have a couple of photographs I took but it was hard to take a good one through the glass on the display.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Eyemo]

posting on this forum may help you get some answers too...

http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/search.php?search_id=newposts

 

[H.Johnson]

I used to own one of these. I sold it around three years ago for a lot of money.

This is the first version of the smock. The second (camouflaged) version was featured in Combat and Survival Magazine (with some references to the first pattern but no photographs) around two years ago.

 

[BellyTank]

SBS Canoeist Smock

Ooops- he is here, beat me by 5 minutes.

But anyway...

Mr. Gasbag, (Stanfield?)esteemed FL member, HJohnson will surely have something to tell you about this garment, as special forces smocks and anoraks are a special interest of his, as they are mine. I believe Johnson may be travelling this week.

Apparently it is the "SBS Canoeist Smock".

I have an old magazine (Combat & Survival?)with an article about the SBS smock but IIRC, it talks mostly about post-war smocks, although it does mention the wartime ones and maybe has a pic. I'll have to dig it out.
I do remember tell of the DPM(1970s?) version, MKII, being virtually identical to the earlier, plain, OD version MKI, which must be this one.
The article did seem to give the impression that this smock is shrouded in mystery, or perhaps just ignorance, as not so much was known by the author.
The magazine was actually given to me by HJohnson.

I think 99% of the information you will find on the internet talks about "modern and DPM SBS smocks".

May I ask what your specific interest in these smocks is?
It would be great if you could share any findings with us.
Did you notice a "peak" on the hood of the example at the IWM?
The MKI is supposed to have an attached hood.

I'll keep you posted in this thread about the magazine article.

Just saw the smock department of you blog.

And BTW, welcome!


B
T

 

[armoldgasbag]

OK...you find me out! Yes I am the designer for Stansfield and author of the blog. Quite amazed you spotted it...I always think hardly anyone reads it but I am quite chuffed you found me out. Not sure how you guys feel about me posting up information - lots of it sourced from this site - but I am humbled by your expert opinion! Although I try my best to find out as much as possible there is always someone else who knows so much more and this site is such an amazing resource. I dont make much money from this label - its more of a hobby than anything else and more of a headache with dealing within the fashion industry!!...just in case anyone is worried that I am leaching information for financial and corporate gain!

Thanks for your tips and the naming of the piece. As for Combat & Survival magazine, that brought back some memories! I remember buying the first issues when they came out...it was many years ago and I was only a kid. But I will try and hunt down so more copies - so thanks for the tip.

HJohnson - I would love to buy one but it will not be easy Im sure. When you say it was very expensive....can you tell us how expensive?! Also any vintage dealers who may be able to locate them....I have already put some feelers out to the people I know.

To give some background - we are working on a Royal Navy themed collection. So we are working on a Pea Coat, Ursula Suit, Duffle Coat, a Royal Navy Pullover Jacket (which I will post up as I dont know much about it) and finally a smock. I wanted to do a jacket which wasn't your classic army smock and had more of a Navy/SBS angle and this one at the war museum looked perfect but I had never seen anything before like it.

The smock is in pre-sample stages at the moment - its going to be for next Winter 2010 so the sample will not be ready until november/december. I can tell you more very soon but I can tell you it will be made from Ventile fabric and available in olive green. We are also doing a limited edition using a WWII map of Normandy as the print...it will be a bit crazy! However I have been screwed by someone on ebay and the maps still havent arrived. So I now need an alternative map....preferably a British Army WWII map 1:50000 scale..any ideas?

To answer your question - its hard to tell if the smock has a hood as its trapped inside a glass box but I am going back to the museum soon and will let you know more.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Eyemo]

Check out my photography at;-
www.timelineuk.com
If you need any prom stuff shot..

 

[BellyTank]

Mr. Gasbag, "designer at Stansfield", welcome.
As far as I know, the knowledge here is free for the taking bit it's always nice if you can contribute something and I think this thread and your "outing" (sorry)is a fine, first contribution.

I think you'd be surprised at how many "normal people"(not the usual suspects) are looking at the "fashion" blogs, so much of a giant network (connecting to "beyond fashion")and today, it seems, "Fashion", as an institution, is somewhat undermined by this network/ing, people are, perhaps, finding, rather than(just) being told what is good to wear.
Especially in light of clothing niche interests(which can be quite independent of fashion) such as the Selvage Denim/so- called-vintage thing.

The vintage/workwear phenom is almost a world of its own and is crossing from fashion into vintage, as some of the manufacturers and styles are so true to the original, that vintage lifestylers are getting what they want, new, off the rack- hopefully discounted .

...joys of the internet.

I hope the Ventile smock will be minus modern (too many fashion trimmings)trappings, you will definitely find a market (beyond fashion)for such a Ventile Smock, if it is strongly constructed, serviceable and practical as an actual windproof, outdoorsy smock. OF course, it should look like something from the '40s, or earlier. Several members on this forum have been looking for such a garment for years. And a good, OD, pullover Anorak (if it has the look) is perfect for that skinny trousered Mod look.

I had a look at the magazine article about the SBS smock- no pics of the old smock only the DPM version but they mention that it's virtually identical.

The Ursula suit (jacket?)will be interesting- hopefully better than a Barbour International, one of which, I own, The International is a nice jacket, especially if you wear a size smaller than recommended- fit is much better.

Anyway,I think "we all" have some relevant, mutual interests, please hang about. Interesting to have a/nother "Fashion insider here", too. He..he..

You know, if you post enough messages(15?, or something), you'll soon be able to actually exchange private messages with the "experts" here.

Hurry up!



B
T

 

[gbaok]

Hi,

Just acquired one of these smocks and looking for information. Which edition of Combat and Survival was it in? (the online previews don't mention it)

Kind regard

 

[Monkeyman]

I am looking for some Info specifically relating to the off set pocket on the left hand side of the jacket.

What'd the pocket used for .

MM.

 

[Dudleydoright]

Looks like a number of people here are looking to take from the general knowledge but not to give........

As noted by the OP, photos are hard to get hold of so if you have one, how about posting photos for the rest to gain knowledge from ?

Stansfield designer, it's been a whiles so how about an update on your smock ?

 

[Flyhalf_Keith]

FYI - j.crew now has a ripstop "Canoeist Smock" which is quite similar to the subject SBS smock.
I bought one and I am pleased with it.

Best Regards,
Keith

https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/outerwear/utility/canoeist-smock-in-ripstop-cotton/J7264