50s M-51 FISHTAIL PARKA

BRAND US Army.

DESCRIPTION
The king of the parkas!
Super difficult to find in such a good condition and with the original alpaca liner.
Because of its amazingly warm liner is perfect during the winter cold months but it can also be worn without liner in spring and autumn just as a raincoat!
Details include:
- Removable liner.
- Epaulettes.
- Hanging loop.
- Two wool lined pockets.
- Adjustable waist string.
- Foldable fishtail.
- Colmar zipper.

Nine months after the Korean War started, the US Air Force issued the first jacket in the fishtail story – the M-51 Parka.
A different silhouette to the M-51 Field Jacket issued to the Army, the M-51 was a long line, 3-piece fishtailed parka, updated from the aforementioned M-48. Made from a densely woven cotton sateen, the M-51 featured detachable hood and body liners – with the hood liner made from wool flannel with animal fur trim, and the body liner made from alpaca wool pile. Later the body liners were changed to a ‘mohair freeze’ wool that didn’t really keep as warm as the previous liner.

FABRIC
Parka - cotton sateen.
Liner - alpaca wool pile.

YEAR 1951-1956.

CONDITION
Moderate signs of wear - some micro holes and or rips. Last snap buttons is missing the female part. Left cuff button missing. Some stains (probably Guinness...) on the inside of the liner. Contract stamp is still visible but not really readable. Overall really in great and solid vintage condition.

SIZE ON LABEL N/A.
I remember this being a size small, but unfortunately the stencil with the size is not longer readable. That said the M-51 fishtail Parka is well known for having a very easy fit and silhouette and therefore it can fit different types of body shapes and sizes. Please see actual measurements and estimated size.

ESTIMATED SIZE men M-L / women L-XL.

MEASUREMENTS
Chest (pit to pit) - 28 inches.
Length (front) - 37 inches.
Length (back) - 40 inches.
Sleeve (centre of the neck to hem) - 35 inches.
Shoulders - 23 inches.