The GREAT BRITISH DUFFEL COAT thread

[soulquentin]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

No, the shop doesn't have a website. I think the owner has only recently obtained a computer!

Yes, I could probably obtain one for you if the seller has one left, but you realise that the cost of shipping to Germany would be very large due to the weight and size? They are available on the web for 50 GBP.

Alan

Thanks for the reply, Alan.
I did think about probably paying more for the shipping than for the coat, if the coats are only 20 quid...The cheapest I found on the web were for over 100 GBP. Which online store sells them for 50?
I heard that the coats are very large sized to fit over the rest of the gear: wearing a slimmer medium/uk38 normally, would you suggest a coat in size 1?
As you own some of these coats, how long are the sleeves? I often do have a problem with the sleeves being too short, when a coat fits right at the chest...
Thanks again, regards,
soulquentin

 

[BellyTank]

Wooden Toggles-

Way to go.


B
T

 

[Alan Eardley]

Soulquentin,

You know your stuff, the smallest size (Size 1) is about the equivalent of a Large in modern sizing. Mine is really too big for me and I am about six feet and 38" chest, 155 pounds. The sleeves are long.

Here's a link to a site that has them (used to have them?) for 50 GBP (see half way down the left hand column:
http://www.milweb.net/go/sabre/cat_uniforms.htm

I would be willing to get you one from the surplus shop, but I won't be able to go there for two weeks as I am busy at work and my football team is at home next Saturday. I wouldn't build up your hopes - the shop had two in (both Size One) and I understand that they are becoming popular with teenagers because bands (e.g. Franz Ferdinand) are wearing them this winter* . It is quite possible that in two weeks both of those will sell. I'll try if you want one, however.

* Ah, well. At least that means the price of M65 Parka shells will come down again to a reasonable level...

Alan

Thanks for the reply, Alan.
I did think about probably paying more for the shipping than for the coat, if the coats are only 20 quid...The cheapest I found on the web were for over 100 GBP. Which online store sells them for 50?
I heard that the coats are very large sized to fit over the rest of the gear: wearing a slimmer medium/uk38 normally, would you suggest a coat in size 1?
As you own some of these coats, how long are the sleeves? I often do have a problem with the sleeves being too short, when a coat fits right at the chest...
Thanks again, regards,
soulquentin

 

[soulquentin]

Yeah, I found out about sabre sales a few months ago and did contact them. Here's the reply:

"Sorry we very rarely see any Duffle coats now and have none in stock,

Kind Regards

Nick

Sabre Sales"

So it seems the original coats are getting very rare at the moment. If you say that the sleeves are long enough, I'd be very grateful if you could arrange to send me one, if they still have them in stock in two weeks time.

I didn't know about duffle coats coming to fashion for the indie kids this winter. German indie kids are always one or two seasons behind the British and so we'll see more duffle coats next winter...They started wearing skinny jeans only this spring

Speaking about parkas: I was lucky to get a M65 three years ago, 50$ shipped. The same with a M51 parka including the alpaca lining in reasonable condition for 50$ shipped(I watched one on ebay which went for 300 GBP) Nothing really fashionable, but more than good enough when riding out with your Vespa.

Good luck for the match on Saturday. Which team are you supporting?

cheers, soulquentin

Soulquentin,

You know your stuff, the smallest size (Size 1) is about the equivalent of a Large in modern sizing. Mine is really too big for me and I am about six feet and 38" chest, 155 pounds. The sleeves are long.

Here's a link to a site that has them (used to have them?) for 50 GBP (see half way down the left hand column:
http://www.milweb.net/go/sabre/cat_uniforms.htm

I would be willing to get you one from the surplus shop, but I won't be able to go there for two weeks as I am busy at work and my football team is at home next Saturday. I wouldn't build up your hopes - the shop had two in (both Size One) and I understand that they are becoming popular with teenagers because bands (e.g. Franz Ferdinand) are wearing them this winter* . It is quite possible that in two weeks both of those will sell. I'll try if you want one, however.

* Ah, well. At least that means the price of M65 Parka shells will come down again to a reasonable level...

Alan

 

[Alan Eardley]

Sorry about Sabre, they had them last Winter. Maybe they should update their website. I don't seem to update my knowledge base as fast as I used to...

The skinny jeans (a sixties thing) and Converse CTs (a sixties thing) craze was bound to lead to duffle coats (a sixties thing). Next it will be beards and berets. That's how 'yoof' fashion moves forward...not!

The M1951 parka is much superior to the M1965 IMO. The only problem is the weight with the liner! I guess its a sort of American duffle coat... Tell me, did yours have a fur trim to the hood. There is a continuing argument as to whether that was orginal - you see some with it and some without it.

My team is Stoke City (currently sixth in the Coke Championship) and we are at home to Coventry City, who will be on the rebound from a desperately unlucky loss to West Ham in some useless cup competition last night.

The guy who may have the duffle coats has a stall in a market in Birmingham, by the way.

Alan

Yeah, I found out about sabre sales a few months ago and did contact them. Here's the reply:

"Sorry we very rarely see any Duffle coats now and have none in stock,

Kind Regards

Nick

Sabre Sales"

So it seems the original coats are getting very rare at the moment. If you say that the sleeves are long enough, I'd be very grateful if you could arrange to send me one, if they still have them in stock in two weeks time.

I didn't know about duffle coats coming to fashion for the indie kids this winter. German indie kids are always one or two seasons behind the British and so we'll see more duffle coats next winter...They started wearing skinny jeans only this spring

Speaking about parkas: I was lucky to get a M65 three years ago, 50$ shipped. The same with a M51 parka including the alpaca lining in reasonable condition for 50$ shipped(I watched one on ebay which went for 300 GBP) Nothing really fashionable, but more than good enough when riding out with your Vespa.

Good luck for the match on Saturday. Which team are you supporting?

cheers, soulquentin

 

[soulquentin]

My M1951 came without the fur trim around the hood. As far as I know, there have been some prototypes with a fur trim. Later on, they came with the simple cotton hood and an additional fur hood was available to button into the regular hood or to the M1951 field jacket.

It's true that the construction of the M1951 is superiour to the M1965, though the liner is really heavy. But with the M1965 it's the hood with the inside wire construction that weighs a ton...

cheers, soulquentin

Sorry about Sabre, they had them last Winter. Maybe they should update their website. I don't seem to update my knowledge base as fast as I used to...

The skinny jeans (a sixties thing) and Converse CTs (a sixties thing) craze was bound to lead to duffle coats (a sixties thing). Next it will be beards and berets. That's how 'yoof' fashion moves forward...not!

The M1951 parka is much superior to the M1965 IMO. The only problem is the weight with the liner! I guess its a sort of American duffle coat... Tell me, did yours have a fur trim to the hood. There is a continuing argument as to whether that was orginal - you see some with it and some without it.

My team is Stoke City (currently sixth in the Coke Championship) and we are at home to Coventry City, who will be on the rebound from a desperately unlucky loss to West Ham in some useless cup competition last night.

The guy who may have the duffle coats has a stall in a market in Birmingham, by the way.

Alan

 

[Speedster]

Sabre Sales

I was in contact with Sabre Sales last week. Still no duffel coats in stock

By the way, their stock list on their web-page is last updated 2006!!!

 

[Alan Eardley]

I was in contact with Sabre Sales last week. Still no duffel coats in stock

By the way, their stock list on their web-page is last updated 2006!!!

Yes, they had duffle coats in stock last year. I sense a shortage (and a price hike)coming up, probably linked to the number of musos seen wearing them. If you look at the Wikipedia entry for Duffle Coat, it breezes through their military origins and dwells on the 'celebrities' seen wearing them.

I think I got mine just in time. Under these conditions chance rules - you just have to be in the right place at the right time. I often get lucky like that but I can't make it happen - the force has to be with me. I still don't understand (and probably never will) how the government surplus thing works. If a small batch of 1945 duffle coats suddenly appear on a market stall in Birmingham, where have they come from? Where have they been? BTW, there is a 60s civvy example (from a friend in Scotland) on a certain UK site now.

Alan

 

[Alan Eardley]

Duffle coat details

Here are a few shots of some of the details that distinguish an original 'second pattern' British military duffle coat (as worn by, but not exclusively by) the Royal Navy.

First, the brown canvas tape running in a tube that adjusts the hood. Notice the white buttons of standard WW2 pattern.

The same canvas tape reinforces the back of the toggle rope. Note the position of the label which says Coat, Duffle Drab. They're right. The material is drab (much darker than most copies) and very heavy and rough. I'd hate to pay shipping on one and wouldn't wear one naked. The copies are softer and (with some exceptions) lighter in both weight and colour.

The pocket (no flap) and sleeve adjustment (at a slight angle). The buttons are widely spaced, so the sleeve can be tightened a lot to keep out the wind. The toggles are plain (ropes go trough a hole, not around the toggle as with many copies) and are unvarnished (again, unlike many copies). The toggle ropes are thick and rough.

The back of the hood. Notice how it lies flat in spite of its bulk.

An finally, the front of the hood. An uninspired photograph, but it shows the shoulder yoke.

Here's a link to a piece from The Chap about duffle coats that makes a point of mentioning many of these features. Jack Hawkins is the architypical duffle coat wearing actor. Some of you may recognise the chap below him and also the location, but is it an issue duffle coat he is wearing, we may ask...
http://www.thechap.net/duffle.html


Alan

 

[soulquentin]

Alan,

That looks like a very beautiful coat :eusa_clap

If you're still planning to visit that surplus shop, it would be very kind if you kept an eye open for another one in size 1.

I don't mean to bother you on that issue or send you hunting across the country for a coat...Just in case, you happen to see one, I would highly appreciate it, if you kept it in mind...

Kind regards,

soulquentin

 

[Speedster]

That is indeed a very beautiful coat, Alan. :eusa_clap

Should you by accident happen to stumble upon more coats in size 1 i would also be very interested.

 

[Alan Eardley]

I most certainly will - unfortunately The mighty Stoke City are playing at home again thitomorrow , so I won't be able to visit Birmingham until the Saturday after that. I passed through my local market earlier today and a second hand clothing stall had three civilian dufflecoats in stock -I take it you're not interested in a civilian coat?

Alan

Alan,

That looks like a very beautiful coat :eusa_clap

If you're still planning to visit that surplus shop, it would be very kind if you kept an eye open for another one in size 1.

I don't mean to bother you on that issue or send you hunting across the country for a coat...Just in case, you happen to see one, I would highly appreciate it, if you kept it in mind...

Kind regards,

soulquentin

 

[soulquentin]

I most certainly will - unfortunately The mighty Stoke City are playing at home again thitomorrow , so I won't be able to visit Birmingham until the Saturday after that. I passed through my local market earlier today and a second hand clothing stall had three civilian dufflecoats in stock -I take it you're not interested in a civilian coat?

Alan

No, I'm not interested in a civilian coat...But thanks for asking.

Good luck for today's match. Cheers,

soulquentin

 

[BellyTank]

I have had a couple of these duffles and in the greater scheme of things...to wear, they are not a "nice" coat- they are heavy and scratchy but as an example of what they are, they are just perfect.

I still say they're "tan" in colour but it's been a few years since I've owned one.

B
T

 

[Mike1973]

Duffle test drive...

Thought I'd resurrect this thread.

I was lucky enough to be given an old duffle coat last year, by a good friend whose father, I think, served in the Merchant Navy.

As has been mentioned in this thread, it is a huge size, and this put me off ever wearing it. It got stored up in the loft out of the way.
Every New Years Eve though, we see the New Year in with fellow VW camper owners in a field in Rutland. This year was going to be really cold, maybe -5/-6. Previous years I have worn the Irvin, and an old M-51 fishtail parka. This year I thought I'd give the duffle a go, and see how it compared.

Well, yes it is heavy, in fact saying 'it weighs a ton' wouldn't be a figure of speech, more a fact. But boy does it keep you warm! Once I'd turned back the cuffs the fit wasn't so bad. But I did find the toggle fasteners quite crude, and it didn't close the coat that well either. But for standing round a fire for several hours it was perfect. Definitely a jacket I will get more use out of in the future! I made the mistake of telling my father I prefered it to the parka. (So I have to give his fishtail back to him :eusa_doh: ) Easily as warm as the Irvin, more cumbersome, but big pockets!


Best picture I have at the minute, out for a winter walk with my sister

Very similar to Alans, but lighter in colour. No label though unfortunately.

 

[H.Johnson]

Mike,

A small but humble suggestion to 'take in' a duffle coat - if you unpick the stitching fastening the ropes on both sides, you can move them outwards, resew and increase the overlap. I've seen it done.

Your sister looks good in an M-65, by the way. I am wearing one myself today.

 

[Mike1973]

I may try that H, as the overlap, or lack of it, was my biggest grumble with the coat. After looking through some wartime photos though, the general look seems to be 'way too big'! So I may just put up with it. It's quite refreshing to get a jacket that is 'one size fits all', compared to the trials and tribulations of looking for that perfect fit A-2 or G-1...

Mabel the Staff loved it as well by the way! I chucked it on the seat behind me and she curled up inside it for the 3 hour trip back from Rutland!

 

[H.Johnson]

Yes, you are right about the necessary size. 'The Cruel Sea' could have been subtitled 'a battle against the enemy and the elements in oversize overcoats'.

You're right again (how many times can a guy be right in one post?)- Staffies love dufflecoats almost as much as Irvin jackets. One of mine slept on an old Irvin for years. That was before they went up in price, of course...

 

[Dinerman]

There was an old gloverall duffle coat at the thrift store today. Would have bought it if it weren't for the zipper. It was a mens coat, mens sizing, with the windflap and toggles on the proper side, but it had a left handed zipper, which was difficult to operate with the right handed wrap of the coat. I've noticed the backwards zipper on some other old (Canadian made) menswear at the thrift shop as well. Is this really a mens coat, do you suppose, or is the zipper a gloverall thing? a Canadian thing?

 

[H.Johnson]

Zipper.....?????