A Second War 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Battledress

A Second War 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Battledress - eMedals is pleased to offer an exceptional battle worn 1st Canadian Para battledress. This is not the home coming blouse but one that would have been worn in Normandy. This battledress blouse is wool with a green tinge to the darker khaki colour, giving it that distinctive Canadian-look versus the British version, of which the Canadian one is patterned after. The blouse is adorned with screen-printed insignia in maroon ink on both shoulders: a shoulder flash inscribed "1 CANADIAN PARACHUTE BATTALION" above a ParachuteRegiment Pegasus patch. The shoulders have button down epaulet straps held in place via metal buttons, each strap with original 6th Airborne slip-on shoulder strap loops. The loops have been on the tunic for a lengthy period, as evidenced by the fact they are faded on top and maintaining their vibrant gold colour on the underside. There is a dual hook and eye closure at the collar, of which was phased out in late 1943, and when connected, ensures a snug fit at the neckline. The front has two pockets, one on each breast which have decorative straps giving them a pleated-look with metal buttons at the top. Each pocket has a fold over flap and when lifted up, exposes a reinforced button hole. When the buttons are fastened, they remain invisible to the eye, covered by the flaps. Over the left breast pocket is an original three-colour embroidered Type I Canadian Parachute Regiment Badge, issued to Canadians in November 1942. This has been sewn onto the tunic, replacing an earlier wing, likely from coming home. Thread from original wing is still in place. It has no ribbons, as is correct for an In-theatre combat tunic. The front is completed by a vertical row of five metal buttons on the right side, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left, similarly covered by a full-length flap, again remaining invisible to the eye. Along the waistline at the front is a strap on the left side, and when fed through the metal belt loop on the right side, ensures a snug fit at the waist. It is designed with button down cuffs with metal buttons, and when fastened, again are invisible to the eye, plus three reinforced ventilation holes in each armpit. Inside, the waistline is reinforced with a 75 mm wide cotton band, with three reinforced button holes at the rear. The inside lapel on both sides has cotton-lined pockets, the left pocket stamped in black ink "2 / BATTLE DRESS / BLOUSES, SERGE / HEIGHT 5 ft. 3 To 4 / BREAST 34-35 / WAIST 30-31 / The FABRIC CLOTHING CO.", dated "MAR" with the remaining inscription and parts of the aforementioned inscriptions having worn off through active use, with a Canadian Broad Arrow production mark below. The blouse itself measures 420 mm across the shoulders and 480 mm in length overall. It exhibits fading in the maroon ink on the shoulder flashes, a wear hole just below the right armpit ventilation hole, surface rust on the buckle, light soiling of the cotton lining on the interior, previous repair evident by the addition of a brown nylon patch above the wide cotton waistband, along with separation of the threading of a repaired area on the right side reinforced button hole at the rear, the right cuff missing its metal button. It displays a nice texture in the wool and quality workmanship, beautiful, intact stitching. Considering it is a combat worn item, it stands as extremely fine. Accompanied by a hardcover book entitled "Into the Maelstrom - The 1st CanadianParachute Battalion History-Insignia-Uniforms" by Ken Joyce (published in July 2007 by Service Publications, Ottawa, Ontario, the cover in colour, with 208 pages of black and white text and photos). (C:43)