WWII Parsons/M-41 Question

[Chindit]

Hello,
I have a highly technical question about the early OD Field Jacket (aka "Parsons or M-38" Jacket).

I thought I heard somewhere that the Parsons did not have "gussets" under the armpits--that is wasn't unitl the later field jacket variant (M-1941) where eppaulets were added (and pocket flaps removed) that underarm gussets were added.

Does anyone know if this is accurate? Or was there a variation Field Jacket that had no eppaulets, pocket flaps and gussets?

Thanks so much.

Joe

 

[McCreary]

Hey, during the war there were lots of very small variations on any and all equipment between dates and manufacturers.
The M-38 had several notable differences from the M-41, chief among those being the bulge pockets having flaps, the belt in the back was narrower, there was a row of stitching about an inch or so from the edge of the cuff, and there were no epaulets on the M-38. In Re gussets; I believe that the '41 had two rows of stitching on the underarm where the '38 only had one. But that could be the trait of a manufacturer.

I hope that helps you out.

-Mac