This is a nice example of a final production stage Denison smock. A British corporal gave it to me after we consumed way too many Heinekens. The Brits were billeted on our Kaserne and REFORGER 77 was winding up. I've had it ever since.

 

Thanks for looking.

back and side

Label and sleeve

Badge

The Smock Camouflage, the successor to the 1959 Pattern Smock Denison, was contracted for production first in 1968, with yearly production contracts involving different manufacturers until 1974. I have not found a contract number after the 1974 HE Textiles A/78/CLO/42680/ contract.

 

Manufacturers of the Smock Camouflage include James Smith & Co (1968, 1970, 1971, 1972), Cookson & Clegg (1969), BMC(1971), HE Textiles (1973, 1974).

 

HE Textiles made the A/78/CLO/40848 Smock Camouflage in 1973, they also made A/78/CLO/42680/ Smock Camouflage in 1974. As far as I can tell HE Textiles was the only manufacturer for these production years.

As an update to the previous post I have found that HE Textiles also manufactured the Smock Camouflage in 1975 with contract number A/78/CLO/47430/CB(CT)4B, which makes 1975 the latest production year for this smock that I have found so far.

Definitely a catchy Denison smock pattern. Thank you for the details on the last year these were made. 

Very welcome, though I should emphasise that this is the latest manufacturing contract I have yet found for the Denison type smock, there could be a later one as I have some gaps in my contract number list. However, I have read that the Denison type camouflage smock was replaced by a DPM type full zip smock in the mid 1970s.  This would fit chronologically;  I believe the DPM fulll zip smock for Paratroopers was first manufactured in 1976 as the "Smock Parachutist's", made by F. Fryer & Co Ltd, contract number A/78/CLO/49988/CB(CT)4B. This is the earliest contract number for the DPM camouflage replacement to the Denison type smock that I have found so far.

DPM para smock for interest

the black Velcro patch is where a foreign jump wing was worn 

Kia Kaha - How do you determine the date? I've been after one from the 60s and am curious. I know the actual camo pattern changed. I've always wondered how to decipher the tags.

Snake I don’t know, hoping you could tell me! This smock is from late 1990s - 2005 the earlier ones where a different shade of light green base and without the first aid pouch on the arm.

I have had or still have a few various para smocks.

I have a question.

Can you tell me what year this smock was made by this label?

And what is that flap for on the inside back of the jacket?

Thank you.

The CT number, I can only discern the CT bit, indicates it was made after 1980; prior to 1980 the number is different and starts with A/78/CLO. It appears to be a Combat Smock rather than a Parachutist Smock. The flap on the inside is a poacher's pocket, for storage. I think this Combat Smock is a 1995 type pattern.

Appreciate the info numbersix!

On 3/15/2022 at 12:42 PM, Boy Howdy said:

Appreciate the info numbersix!

 

Very welcome,

numbersix- do you anything about Brit sweaters?

I have this white turtle neck sweater with this tag.

Wondering about the age and branch of service.

Thank you in advance.

2 hours ago, Boy Howdy said:

numbersix- do you anything about Brit sweaters?

I have this white turtle neck sweater with this tag.

Wondering about the age and branch of service.

Thank you in advance.

 

Not an expert on jumpers, I'm afraid. Labelwise, the 78/CLO/41499/2/M/CB(CT)1C code first appears in 1973.

Thanks again numbersix

16 hours ago, Boy Howdy said:

Thanks again numbersix

 

Very welcome, glad to help. The label breaks down to this information:

 

JERSEY WHITE                           = Description of the labelled item.

8045-99-943-1535                   = UK NSN code, 8405 means 'Clothing, Outerwear, Men's'.

Size 2 over 36" (91.4cm)           = Clothing size for the labelled item.

H.K. Ltd                                       = Manufacturer of labelled item.

78/CLO/41499/2/M/CB(CT)1C  = Contract Code for the labelled item.

/|\                                                 = Pheon/Broad Arrow mark, British Ministry of Defence mark denoting labelled item is British Government property.

 

There is a JUMPER UTILITY, WOOL, WHITE SUBMARINER'S, ROYAL NAVY with the UK NSN 8045-99-943-1535 that is still current issue, so it may be your JERSEY WHITE is a Royal Navy one.