WWII Khaki Army Shirt.. What Do I Have?

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Hi everyone. I just won one of these shirts on EBAY.

The description really just says 1945 army khaki shirt. The price was right so I got one. I was wondering if this was an officer's shirt or enlisted, or really any details I can get. Are these sort of shirts a dime a dozen at surplus stores? If the fit is right I may look for some more. What really drew me to this one is the fact they are apparently NOS.

Here's a link to the ended auction if you want to check it out. Thanks!!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Looks to be an enlisted man's shirt. If it has epaulets, and I don't see any in the pic, it would be an officer's shirt.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[pamina]

lol

I got myself a M42 paratrooper jacket. looks perfect ! =)

 

[DutchIndo]

I read an article on how after the War "Khakis" were so plentiful that they were bought by Police depts. Andy and Barney Fife sure put them to use ! They were also used by Prisons and other Government agencies. Funny how now a days one has to pay premium prices for them. I seen it happen with the Viet-Nam era camo the ERDL. If your Khaki has epaulets then it's probably an Officers. On the wool version the fabric for the epauletes were taken from the rear bottom of the shirts. That is were "Shave Tails" come from a slang word for Officers. Pamina as for the M-42 jump jacket I'll give you 50 euro for it ! It will go nicely with my 3 repros in the closet.

 

[pamina]

hey DutchIndo - it isn't original =) it's just a remake =) and 50€ ? i have payed 61€ =)

 

[Fletch]

It looks like the M37 "mustard" wool shirt, the later variant with the convertible collar.

But it has a shine, like cotton sateen or chino.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Yeah, I'm wondering what kind of material it will turn out to be. The pockets look rather large, is that pretty typical? If they are I'll just full them with things.

 

[Fletch]

On the wool version the fabric for the epauletes were taken from the rear bottom of the shirts. That is were "Shave Tails" come from a slang word for Officers.

I had thought shavetails were strictly 2nd louies. Am I wrong?

 

[pamina]

don't know why, but it seems that all of these fieldblouses look the samy, or simply similar ...

 

[MrBern]

Did the shirt arrive yet? Is it Cotton or wool?

 

[DutchIndo]

Fletch you are correct my bad. "Butter Bars", "Shave tails" and "90 Day Wonders" are part of the WWII lexicon.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Sorry, I had forgotten about this thread! The shirt arrived a couple of weeks ago. It did take awhile to get here now that I think of it. It is cotton, and the tag has it dated 1945.

My current issue is what to wear with this. It's getting warm and humid here in Missouri, so, I'll likely be going without a jacket, and sleeves up. I know it's a uniform shirt and all, but I don't want it to look like a uniform when I'm wearing it. I'm thinking some dark brown chinos to pair with it. Maybe a vest now and then. I'm planning on using this shirt for "adventure" type ensembles.

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Yeesh.. scratch the dark brown chinos. They just don't look right with the khaki shirt. Too.. bleh. Maybe a light proper British tan color will work. It's easy to find a shirt with khaki pants, but pants with a khaki shirt is another matter... these earth tones are hard to match. Maybe gray?