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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Leather Jerkin


auchonvillerssomme

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Any ideas about this leather jerkin. No obvious markings. 'football' type leather buttons.

Mick

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I'd venture that it is not of Great War vintage. They tend to be made with more sections. Have you got a view of the back ?

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How are the buttons attached?

Are they removable and secured via split ring or sewn on?

What does the reverse side of the button holes look like?

Joe Sweeney

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I will post pic of back later.... liner is green appears to be heavy flannel but looks like an old replacement, some mothing. buttons are sewn, but there is a small hole adjacent to the buttons wich i suppose could have taken the shank through and split ringed.

Mick

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Hello Mick,

I would say WW2 vintage and someone has changed the buttons. The cut is slightly different on the WW2 examples. Great war jerkins have more width at the shoulder, which gives a slight overhang at the shoulders. The colour of the lining is less relevant as I've had examples with Khaki, beige, brown, grey, dark blue and even French Horizon Blue material used. The green colour shown is quite typical of WW2 examples however.

As has been pointed out Great War examples should have buttons attached using split rings.

Sometimes they are made of off cuts ie more panels, but this is not a reliable way of dating these garments. I have had dated examples made of 4 large pieces of leather.

Regards

Tocemma

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PS

Forgot to mention the Jerkin is an amazingly enduring item. They were introduced in 1914 and are still on issue today albeit now made in PVC with a mesh back. They are issued to Royal Engineer units mainly.

Tocemma

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Many thanks, to be honest i will never know the age i dont think. i can remember my dad and uncle wearing them, and i would guess every coalman in the country had them. this has made me go down another track, metal boot protectors, ten a penny at one time but saw one one sale for 30 quid the other day.

Mick

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