Preface
Identifying pattern of uniforms are not as
straight forward as it seems. There is the official designation and then there
is the collectors designation. in the face of a lack of official information the
latter designations is an identifying designation given over the years by
members of the trade and public in an effort to describe the type of uniform
that they are looking for or actually have.
Below is an attempt at identifying the
various patterns of uniform. Although it may not be as correct as I would have
liked it to be, it is a starters guide and nothing more.
I have been told "You can not
identify a uniform by its pattern or coloring and that to identify a uniform by
a pattern designation is wholly incorrect" and that "DPM is DPM"
I have to agree with this and yet strongly
disagree with these statements. At first glance DPM is DPM but with a little
knowledge and a trained eye you will slowly notice the differences and will
become able to tell one DPM pattern from another.
There is a difference, you will notice it
in the cut of the cloth, the materials used and the colouring of the DPM.
Although the latter can cause problems between identifying at a distant late
production runs of the '68 pattern and early production runs of the '84 pattern
DPM. Yet there is a fundamental difference between the cut of the '68 pattern
combats and the cut of the '85 pattern combats
One of the major problems of DPM is that for
those that are not aware of the difference in the patterns and styles,
still think you are wearing current issue clothing and are serving soldiers, not
realizing that in fact you are wearing uniforms from over 25 years ago.
Once you have mastered the various shades and patterns you will more than likely
walk down a street or even around a show, saying to your self " 68
pattern... 85 pattern... Nope that's wrong, that's current... Yup that's
68 pattern" It comes automatically. And when you see someone wearing
a very good condition '68 pattern Windproof in a large size you will want to
throttle them for it and will curse them under your breath.
The Flip side of knowing what you are looking
at is that you will notice how many people who are portraying a conflict
are in fact dressed incorrectly. So after a while you will
spot a '68 pattern item mixed in with '85 pattern from well over 100 yards.
Below I have used a common collectors
identification (In Italics) along side the Official identification which is normally
used on the labels. This may seem confusing at first but you will soon learn the
differences and can then determine what you wish to use.
Thanks
Jonathan
Development of the Temperate Uniform
From experiences learnt during the Korean War
it was decided to develop a new combat uniform more suited to the changes in
weather encountered. The new design, heavily influenced by the American war time
M1943 uniform was a break from the traditional heavy wool
uniform of the 1930's. The new design was called the 1952 Pattern Combats made
out of an Olive green Sateen material, consisted of a Smock, Trousers
and hood. With the end of National Service in sight the Army could now
afford to supply its smaller forces with a new uniform and after trials of the
1952 Pattern it was decided to make the uniform out of Cotton. With a few minor
changes; the new combat uniform was known as the 1960 Pattern Combats.
In about 1966 it seems that the idea for a new disruptive pattern material (DPM)
may have been conceived. The basic cut of the cloth was the same as the '60 pattern
Combats but made out of the new DPM material. These are known rightly or wrongly
by collectors as the '66 pattern DPM Combats. It seems that they are more
than likely an interim production run of the '68 pattern combats where
manufacturing processes had not fully changed over from the 60 pattern to the
new 68 pattern.
Further development resulted in the
1968 pattern DPM Combat suit, which was based on the earlier '60
pattern Combats and is similar in appearance albeit in DPM.
Trails were carried out and the '68 pattern was accepted for
common issue from 1972 onwards. This was a leap for the British
army who had up to then only issued camouflaged Dennison Combat Smocks
to the Parachute Regiment and other specialized units, although some
regulars sought the Dennison smock via private means.
The '68 Pattern DPM consisted of a 4 colour pattern of Green, Brown,
Ochre and Black with the
Green having a slightly darker green outline/border also DPM colours tend to differ slightly depending on the manufacturer, for
example items made in Northern Ireland can be slightly browner in
colour.
In or around 1975 some changes to the basic
cut of the '68 pattern combats resulted in a '75 pattern and is to all other
purposes a variation of the '68 pattern so was never reclassified or
referred to as '75 pattern.
The '68 Pattern was a heavy uniform, being twin lined and when wet
tended to take a long time to dry out. The following uniform types were developed in
similar DPM - Temperate,
Artic and Tropical.
By the mid 1980's with the lessons learnt from the
1982 Falklands Conflict it was decided to develop a new
uniform which would be more soldier friendly, with larger pockets, faster drying
materials and was lighter that became known
as '85 pattern and was issued for common use from 1986 onwards.
But
some habits died hard and some still preferred the '68 pattern because of
its durability. It was common to see '68 and '85 pattern being worn together in a
mix and match way. In the late 1980's a 1990 pattern was developed which was
based on the '85 pattern but was supposed to be more robust, but again
this did not solve the problem of the troops mixing the various
patterns. The introduction of Soldier '95 combats resolved the issue of the
mix and match and is very much the 1st pattern of the modern day
combats which uses a layer system.
Uniform Variations
1960 Pattern Combat Suit (Olive)
SMOCK, COMBAT 1960 Pattern
TROUSERS, COMBAT 1960 Pattern
The '60 pattern 'Olive' Combats were designed to
replace the woolen Khaki Serge battle dress of 1930's design.
It
consisted of Combat smock and trousers in an Olive cotton material which was
twin lined with a lighter material also in Olive.
The Trousers
were based on the
Cavalry design so came above the waist line and was designed
to be used in conjunction with braces.
There was no hood designed for
use with the '60 Pattern Combat so the '52 Pattern Hood was issued.
Here are the basics for spotting a '66 pattern
DPM uniform.
1. The jacket has a twin lining that is a mix of material
in olive and brown Poplin material.
2. The jacket has a stitched collar and re-enforced
elbows. 3. The trousers are lined in olive or brown
material.
4. The Label will only have a Size sizing.
NSN's
| Size |
Smock |
Trousers |
| 1 |
8405-99-1277329 |
8405-99-1277339 |
| 2 |
8405-99-1277330 |
8405-99-1277340 |
| 3 |
8405-99-1277331 |
8405-99-1277341 |
| 4 |
8405-99-1277332 |
8405-99-1277342 |
| 5 |
8405-99-1277333 |
8405-99-1277343 |
| 6 |
8405-99-1277334 |
8405-99-1277344 |
| 7 |
8405-99-1277335 |
8405-99-1277345 |
| 8 |
8405-99-1277336 |
8405-99-1277346 |
| 9 |
8405-99-1277337 |
8405-99-1277347 |
| Special
measure |
8405-99-1277338 |
8405-99-1277348 |
*
1968 pattern Combat Suit (DPM)
SMOCK, MAN'S COMBAT (1968 Pattern)
TROUSERS, MEN'S COMBAT (1968 Pattern)
HOOD, COLD WEATHER (COMBAT, DPM)
Further development of the '66
pattern DPM lead to the 1968 pattern Combat Suit. This was
largely based around the 60 pattern with some minor
improvements. After further trials the '68
pattern DPM was accepted for common issue from 1972
onwards. In 1975 the DPM coloring was subtly changed -
More I suspect due to advances in dying techniques and newer materials
- but as nothing else was changed these '75 pattern were never
relabeled as such or so we thought (see below), so fall under the '68 pattern and are very
difficult to spot.
A Temperate set of '68 pattern consists of Jacket, trousers, Hood and
Cap. Tropical and Artic clothing was also produced using similar DPM
patterns and are also referred to as '68 pattern. Depending
on the time of year, under the Jacket was worn a Shirt, a woolen
jumper and if needed to, a sleeves less quilted jacket Liner.
'68 pattern Combats were produced
by numerous manufacturers and as a result slight colour variations of
the DPM can be found. For example Combats made in Northern
Ireland are slightly browner in appearances.
The Jackets label
has instructions on keeping warm and for additional warmth the jacket
is fitted with a crotch flap. It has been known that
unscrupulous dealers to have claimed ordinary combat jackets as being
Para issue because of this crotch flap and have hiked up the prices.
This flap was added to prevent the
smock from rising during helicopter operations, So do not be fooled, Para Jackets commonly have press studs instead of
buttons holding the flap in place, but sometimes squaddies will modify
things.
|
1968
Pattern Combat Suit
Shown above are the Jacket, Trousers and GS Cap.
Jacket, Trousers and Hood labels
|
GS Cap
|
Above and Below: The optional
Hood is fitted via a button at the center of the jackets collar
at the nape of the neck and via the epaulet buttons.
|
Shell Dressing pocket on trousers right hip.
|
|
Close up of buttoned cuff .
|
Here are the basics for spotting
a '68 pattern uniform.
1. The jacket has a twin lining of Olive Poplin material
.
2. The jacket cuffs are fixed with buttons and the jacket
pockets are flat. 3. The trousers have the shell
dressing pocket as on the earlier '60 pattern, and are twined lined
with an Olive material down to below the Knee.
4. Early garments will have Size sizing and later ones will
have NATO sizing..
NSN's
The 68 Pattern Combats were issued
from 1972 to the late 1980's. Over this period the uniform either as a
result of slight alterations or better manufacturing processes
resulted in at least 4 different NSN's if not more. Below is an
example of one of these set of numbers.
| Size |
Smock |
Trousers |
| 1 |
8405-99-1321821 |
8405-99-1321831 |
| 2 |
8405-99-1321822 |
8405-99-1321832 |
| 3 |
8405-99-1321823 |
8405-99-1321833 |
| 4 |
8405-99-1321824 |
8405-99-1321834 |
| 5 |
8405-99-1321825 |
8405-99-1321835 |
| 6 |
8405-99-1321826 |
8405-99-1321836 |
| 7 |
8405-99-1321827 |
8405-99-1321837 |
| 8 |
8405-99-1321828 |
8405-99-1321838 |
| 9 |
8405-99-1321829 |
8405-99-1321839 |
| Special
measure |
8405-99-1321830 |
8405-99-1321840 |
The 68 pattern hood NSN is as
follows.
Size
1 8415-99-132-2048
Size
2 8415-99-132-2049
Late
Production '68 pattern Combats
At some
point after 1975 the design of the '68 pattern was subtly changed.
Although the designation did not.
Identifying
these garments has not always been easy until until someone pointed
out some minor differences to there uniforms that made us all go scurrying
to our collections.
The first
major give away is on the label. The NSN designation code changed from
8405 to 8415. The second but not always a main identifier is the
colour of the DPM, it is a stronger colour due to new dying
techniques.
For the
Trousers the main difference are the belt loops. These went from
having on the original design, 5 loops to on the late design, 6 loops.
On the left a member wears a set of early pattern combats,
whilst on the right a member wears a set of late pattern combats.
1968 Pattern Para Smock
Smock, Mans, Parachutist
In around 1972 a Para Smock was
also made which was developed around the Denison Smock of War
Time fame. This smock is made from the '68 pattern in DPM
material and is common referred to as the '68 pattern or '72
pattern.
Unlike the
standard 68 pattern smock It has 4 billowing pockets, 2 on the
chest and 2 on the hips each fastened with brass press studs which
were used to prevent the lines from the parachute snagging on the
buttons.
It is also fitted with a Crutch flap which was held in place
on the outside rear of the smock with two brass studs. This was passed
through the legs and held in place to the front of the smock by press
studs. This was done to prevent the smock rising during a parachute
drop.
At the end of the sleeves was a woolen sock style cuff again to
prevent the parachute lines snagging and to provide additional
warmth.
Here are the basics for spotting
a '68 pattern PARA Smock.
1. The jacket has a twin lining of Olive Poplin
material.
2. The jacket cuffs are of a Woolen Sock style and the
pockets are fixed by Brass press studs. 3. The crop
flap is attached to the rear of the smock by press studs.
4. The Label will only have a Size sizing.
*
1985 pattern DPM Combats
SMOCK, COMBAT DPM
TROUSERS, COMBAT DPM
This pattern may possibly be an
1984 pattern but is commonly know as '85 pattern. The shortcomings of the '68 pattern came to
light during the 1982 Falklands Conflict where the '68 pattern, which
was originally designed with the weather conditions of the plains of
Germany in mind, was unsuitable for the prolonged exposure to the
varied weather conditions found in the Falklands.
From these
lessons it was decided to develop new uniforms and equipment which
resulted in a new '85 pattern DPM Combats which were designed to be
lighter, faster drying and more soldier friendly but failed in that it
was not robust enough and ripped or fell apart all too easily.
The use of modern materials such as Velcro did not go down too well
with some soldiers and the result being that soldiers reverted back to
the '68 pattern due to its robustness and as a result, a mix match, rag tag appearance
developed amongst the troops.
Where as the '68 pattern design
lasted 14 years before being phased out, the '85 pattern lasted less
than 6 years before it was redesigned and became the 1990 pattern.
With the introduction of the '85 pattern a new
colour variation of the DPM was introduced using new dying techniques
which is evident in the sharpness and depth of colour of the Brown.
With the introduction of the new material, new variations of tropical
and Artic clothing were also introduced.
 |
Above: Shown are the Velcro cuffs.
Right: Shown is the FFD
pocket on the back of the right sleeve. |
|
|
Combat Smock Label. |
Here are the basics for spotting
a '85 pattern uniform.
1. The jacket has a twin lining of DPM material across
the shoulders and has a Field dressing pocket on the right
sleeve.
2. The jacket cuffs are fixed using Velcro and the jacket
pockets are bellowed. 3. The trousers do not have
the shell dressing pocket as on the earlier '68 pattern, but are
twined lined with an Olive material down to the Knee.
4. The Label will only have a NATO sizing.
*
1990 pattern DPM Combats
SMOCK, COMBAT (Temperate DPM)
TROUSERS, COMBAT (Temperate DPM)
Complaints about the '85
pattern Combats resulted in a newly designed version that was designed
around 1990 and issued from roughly 1992 to 1994. This new uniform was
supposed to fix the durability problem which it did in fashion but it
still resulted in the mix and match approach to wearing uniforms as it
was only issued to replace worn out kit.
This Rag Tag look to the British
army continued until the introduction of the 1995 pattern uniform
known as Soldier 95 which used all the modern materials available such
as Gortex, Ripstop and Fleece and used a layer approach. Again the
colour of the DPM changed to a more olive colour very similar to early
DPM but brighter.
Further design of the S95uniform resulted in
the introduction of the Soldier 2000 range.
The easiest way to distinguish
a '90 pattern jacket form a '85 pattern is that the jacket will
have an extra Zip up pocket , running vertically either side of the
main Zip.
