370B details- long epaulets and 2 button flap hold down	Spec labels	Olive drab no. 2 lining	Cuff gussets

Restock for missing sizes? No idea. Maybe late 2025.

Reproduction of the first production WWII issue M1943 Field Jacket. Made directly from original July 1943 contract examples, using Teflon treated 100% cotton sateen cloth shells, lined with OD3 poplin, lower pockets reinforced with 3/4" webbing and finished out with exact reproduction buttons.

Since few people actually wear them with a liner, the number one complaint about US field jackets has always been "they're too big!". So, we have recreated the early 370B to address that specific "problem".

Field Jackets manufactured during the Summer and Fall of 1943, specs 370B and 370C, have a slightly closer cut than those made from 1944 to present. As soon as troops began receiving M43's in large numbers (Fall 1943), they complained that the jackets were too tight when wearing the pile liners underneath. So, on Dec. 31, 1943, the QMC revised the patterns, increasing the chest measurements 2" and 1" to the circumference of the upper arms. This was called "Pattern B" and is stamped on the spec labels (or occasionally in the neck) so quartermasters could easily identify them during issue. The change was instituted after all 370B's and a large percentage of the 370C jackets had already been completed and issued. These enlarged sizing proportions were used on all future models of M43/ M50/ M51/ M65 Field Jackets as well as most present day aftermarket coats.

Other features:

Water repelent: As with other armies of the period, the QMC spent a great deal of time and effort attempting to create wind and water proof fabrics for their field uniforms. The sateen of the M43 was a decent material, but there are simply limits to what cotton can do. In the 21st Century, we have more options available than they did in 1943. So, in order to increase the performance of our field jackets and trousers, we had the cloth treated with a DWR (durable water repellent finish) that's colorless and does not change the feel of the fabric, but our uniforms now shed water as well as cotton possibly can. No, it wasn't available in 1943, but it's literally invisible. Yeah, I know- just knowing it's there is bound to upset someone's time warp. I think I hear a tiny violin somewhere...

Internal details: Like originals, our jackets have the double layered pocket lining as well as the 3/4 webbing under the jacket lining, running from the corners to the shoulder seam for more support when they are full of heavy items such as ammunition or grenades. The spec labels have the correct QMC information and stock numbers (aside from the bigger sizes that weren't made in 1943.)

Authenticity nerding: A select few, elite Living Historians (no one else will care) will wring their hands and duel to the death on social media over whether these "early" jackets are appropriate for their impression. The fact is that they are absolutely correct for all WWII displays. They were and are not rare- production numbers were substantial- several hundred thousand being manufactured before the switch to Pattern B. And there is another, quite obvious factor- one cannot distinguish them from the later jackets without a tape measure and a size chart.

Care: We recommend hand or machine wash in cold water and hang dry. I experimented with washing on one of these- hand wash cold and hang dry resulted in zero shrinkage whereas machine wash and a dryer = 1.5 - 2 inches loss in sleeve and body length.

Shrinkage is about 1" in the sleeve and body length. Shrinkage of the chest circumference is nil.

Sizing: These jackets are proportioned like most other jackets- they are not "slim fit" by any means. Unless one plans to wear a field jacket liner under the jacket, order your normal size. If one intends to use a liner underneath, go up one size as the liners are as thick as a Tanker Jacket.

Imported

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  M1943 Field Jacket, 370B
• At the start of WWII, the US troops were equipped with the rather poorly designed M1941 "Parson's" Field Jacket and wool serge trousers for their field uniform. A deluge of complaints from soldiers and marines about the poor performance of their clothing led to the development of the M1943 Field Jacket and Trousers. First issued in late 1943, the jacket design would be amended several times before the end of the War. The 370B was the first version of the new field jacket to be mass produced and issued.
  
  In WWII, the quartermaster assigned each garment a spec ( short for "specification") number. When the garment pattern was amended, the number typically had a letter added as a suffix to indicate the change. These numbers as well as the contractor, contract date, size, stock number and other information is printed on a small label attached to garments, in this case inside the lower right pocket. On authentic uniforms, the label, if still present and legible, allows one to quickly determine which version of uniform is in hand.
  
  
• There were three versions of the M1943 Field Jacket in the supply system by the late Summer of 1944. 370B, C, and D. (A 370 and 370A existed, but are presumed to have been prototypes only, and no original examples are known to exist today. There was also a 370E that went in to production in the Spring of 1945, but is unlikely have made it to the ETO until or just after the end of the War.)
  
  In contrast to some uniforms, the differences between the field jacket versions are relatively minor making it nearly impossible to distinguish one from another in period photographs of troops wearing them. The most substantial change occurred midway through the 370C contracts, when the chest and upper arms were enlarged to allow more room when wearing the pile liner underneath. This was indicated by "Pattern B" being printed or stamped on the spec label, or occasionally in the neck.
  
• 370B made by Pollack, Smith & Robins Inc.	OD2 Lining- fabric left over from production of M1941 "Parson's" Jackets	Two buttons to retain the neck flap and extra long epaulets are characteristic of 370B's.	Spec label in right front hip pocket.

• The 370B was the first to be mass produced and issued, with contracts were being signed with less than a dozen firms in July 1943, with production running into late Fall. Several hundred thousand were ordered, but production problems led to a number of delays, and the total number completed is unknown.
  
• 370B produced by TDM Clothing Mfg. Corp.	OD7 Lining, as called for in the design	TDM made the epaulets to long that the buttons ended up on the neck band.	Spec label.

• The differences between the jacket types are minor, with most being internal or difficult to see without close examination. The most significant trait of the 370B (and early 370C) jackets is the fit in that they are notably less baggy than their descendants. Many troops (and customers) complain about the sack-like appearance of "field jackets". The early jackets were cut with a typical 7" of ease in the chest (ie: the breast measure of a size 40 is 47") which is fine and dandy- until one tries to wear that over a thick pile liner. Therefore, all later versions of the M43 and later M50, M51 and M65 jackets, have larger chests and upper arms to permit more room and better fit for use with liners.
  
• As with all M43's, buttons came is a variety of shades.

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  Aside from the cut, there are a few other unique details on 370B's.
  1. Most have peculiarly long epaulets- instead of ended at or just before the base of the collar, they overlap it. Several manufacturers actually place the button to secure them on the collar band. This appears to have been a misunderstanding in the assembly instructions.
  2. The neck flap that holds the collar in the raised position is secured with two buttons when folded down, while all later jackets only use one.
  3. The hang loop is usually tacked onto the back of the collar rather than sewn underneath.
  4. The buttons are flat which led to some breakage. Later buttons were thickened in the middle underneath, although some 370B's have the improved buttons.
  5. Some 370B's have OD7 lining which was the intended color when they were designed. However, the Army gave the manufacturers permission to utilize the stocks of OD2 poplin left over from the production of M1941 Jackets which is why many 370B, C and D jackets have "khaki" lining.
  
  Issue: The 370B's would have simply gone into the supply system like any other uniform, combined with other versions and would have been issued out with no regard to spec number. It's likely that the first troops to receive the then new field jackets, such as the 3rd Infantry in Italy, would have had a high proportion of these simply due to chronology of production. By the Fall of 1944, 370B, 370C, and a few 370D's would all have been in front line use. As stated before, there is no way to distinguish which model a soldier is wearing in a period photo- unless it's an extremely close shot from just the right angle.