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Canadian Military Collectors Forum

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    coat identification please?

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    ocdserver
    Member


    Posts : 42
    Join date : 2017-03-23
    Location : Edmonton Alberta

    coat identification please? Empty coat identification please?

    Post by ocdserver Fri Nov 30, 2018 5:09 pm

    Hello,
    These three coats came from a fellow I knew who was originally PPCLI in 1937, then in the Provost Corps in the war.
    I asked one of the guys in my vehicles group what he thought these coats were, and, obviously to me as well, one is just a plain army overcoat.  Of what design or classification I don't know.
    For some reason it has all the buttons except for those on the vent (about 21 inches long) in the back and on the neck protector(?) and all the insignia removed.

    coat identification please? Army_c12
    coat identification please? Army_c11
    coat identification please? Army_c10

    This is the neck protector and the manufacturer's stamp or is it the supplier T.E. Eaton Co. stamp?

    coat identification please? Army_c13
    coat identification please? Army_c16

    My friend indicated that the next two coats are what he called "Don R" coats.  As DON was "D" in the British WWII phonetic alphabet, the dispatch riders were called Don R's.
    The rubber coat is more like a protective coat.  There are no pockets.  What look like pockets are large slits in the rubber so the rider's hands can reach through and access his uniform.
    The vent in the back of the coat is 24 inches long.
    This coat is obviously Canadian, but that is all I know.

    coat identification please? Rubber10
    coat identification please? Rubber11
    coat identification please? Rubber12
    coat identification please? Rubber14

    The last coat has a British War Department stamp.
    coat identification please? Don_r_13
    coat identification please? Don_r_12
    coat identification please? Don_r_11
    coat identification please? Don_r_10
    coat identification please? Don_r_16
    coat identification please? Don_r_14
    coat identification please? Don_r_17
    coat identification please? Don_r_18
    coat identification please? Don_r_15

    Any help is gratefully appreciated.
    Regards,
    Ian
    Infanteer
    Infanteer
    Member


    Posts : 820
    Join date : 2009-12-11

    coat identification please? Empty Re: coat identification please?

    Post by Infanteer Sat Dec 01, 2018 9:40 pm

    The last coat is a proper dispatch rider (motorcyclist) coat and a very nice item. It has snaps so that the lower skirt can be tucked between the legs to create an effective weather seal when seated on the bike.
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    ocdserver
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    Posts : 42
    Join date : 2017-03-23
    Location : Edmonton Alberta

    coat identification please? Empty coat identification

    Post by ocdserver Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:41 pm

    Hello,
    Thanks for the confirmation.  My vehicles pal sent me a message yesterday.
    The rubber coat was a coat that was worn over the Don R's tunic and pants when he was riding his motorbike in bad weather.
    The second coat is an example of an original WWII British Army dispatch rider's coat in the 1942 pattern.
    It is a very heavy "rubber-proofed", as the British called it, cotton-canvas coat that is made in such a way that the tail could be brought up through the crotch and buttoned over the wearer's stomach and around each leg by the use of heavy metal snaps. This "rubber-proofing" gives the fabric a slightly mottled look.
    There is an attached belt fastened at two points in the rear with double metal buckles for adjustment.
    Five metal grommets are under each arm for ventilation.
    There are large flapped pockets on each side of the coat at the hips and one large flapped pocket on the left chest area.
    The coat has a bib front that closes with metal snaps and a large fall collar.
     
    Regards,
    Ian

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    coat identification please? Empty Re: coat identification please?

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