BRITISH ARMY 1937 PATTERN BATTLEDRESS BLOUSE DATED 1960

 A Battledress Blouse which appears to be a British 1937 Pattern but which has a tailor's label inside dated 1960.  The blouse has the concealed buttons (down the front, on the pleated pockets and cuffs) of the original 1937 Pattern.  I believe that later British wartime and post-war battledress all had visible buttons on the pockets. 

As far as I am aware, 1937 Pattern Battledress was not the official issue in 1960 (although Battledress was still in use then, of course).  However, from the quality of this blouse it obviously belonged to an officer, so it is possible that it might have been made in 1960 to a non-regulation pattern for some reason or other.  I will describe the blouse as best I can and you can make your own mind up about it!

It is a tailored blouse, of very good quality, fully lined inside (including the sleeves) with a silk-like material.  Inside pockets on the left and right hand sides. A label in the left pocket reads "Rogers & Company 33 Bruton Street London. W1" with a name "C N Hornby" and the date "28-6-60" hand written in ink below.

There is no label giving a size but my rough measurements are chest 34-36", with an inside sleeve approx 19" long (too small for me and I am 38" chest).

The front fly is fastened with 3 concealed plastic buttons, two similar but slightly smaller buttons on the shoulder straps (one of these buttons is broken) and one on each pleated pocket.  Each cuff is fastened by a single, concealed button.  There is a fitted belt round the waist with metal loop and a metal hook and eye (the eye has been re-positioned once).

On each shoulder strap is a single, embroidered cloth "pip" on a yellow backing.  Below the pips are holes for metal shoulder titles (missing).  On each shoulder are small coloured strips, two rows, red/yellow over yellow/red (each made of separate strips of cloth).  These would seem to be "Arm-of-Service" strips and the colours (including that of the pips) would suggest Royal Armoured Corps if British Army.  The insignia was on the blouse when I purchased it some years ago.

The blouse has been used but it is in very good condition, two very small marks on the back, a few other small marks here and there, a little loose stitching internally along the bottom edge of the lining and some very slight wear but no holes, tears or repairs. 

Please note that since describing this I have been contacted by a fellow ebayer who was of the opinion that the "Arm-of-Service" stripes were for the 9th/12th Lancers.  He went on "Your BD is most definitely British. Many cavalry officers had them made by bespoke tailors often incorporating  features from earlier patterns loosely conforming to the current issue. The officer who wore yours was, almost certainly, a national service  officer fairly well to do who served his 2 years and relinquished his commission". 

Guaranteed an original item, not a modern reproduction. 

Will be sent securely packaged, bubble wrapped and boxed.

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