To date your item, look for a 2 digit number near the end of the code (it will be between 53 and 61). That two digit number is the exact year of manufacture for your surplus item.
In this post
When was the M65 field jacket made?
In 1951, the M-51 field jacket made its debut during the Korean War and the early years of the Vietnam War. Some of the design upgrades included snap button closures, a button on hood, and a collar similar to that of a trench coat.
Was there any chocolate chip camo M-65 field jackets?
Originally built just in olive drab (the Army’s OG-107) and one of the first garments to be manufactured in NYCO, the M-65 went on to be seen in a wide variety of camouflage patterns — woodland, “chocolate chip” and 3-color desert/DCU not the least.
Who made the original M-65 jacket?
Alpha Industries’
Alpha Industries‘ design
Alpha Industries, then a young and newly-rebranded company based in Tennessee, was the first to produce the iconic M-65 field jacket.
How do you date in the military?
Proper military date format includes the day, month and year, in that order. There are specific requirements for the number of characters, or numbers and letters. When taking into account the character limits, the format can be expressed as DD MMM YY with no commas.
What replaced the M 65 field jacket?
Army Combat Uniform
The M65 field jacket remained in service until the 80s where it was replaced by the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) which was subsequently succeeded by the current Army Combat Uniform (ACU).
Is the M65 jacket still used?
In 2009, the M-65 Field Jacket was finally retired with the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) taking its place.
How warm is the M65 jacket?
Insulates into the 40’s and 30’s Fahrenheit.
Was the M65 used in Vietnam?
The M-65 field jacket was widely used by United States forces during the Vietnam War in which the jacket became useful for troops serving in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam due to its wind and rain resistance, especially in the monsoon season and after.
How do you date a military field jacket?
All United States Military clothing & gear is made with a tag or stamp that contains the contract number. By following the numbering system you can easily figure out the year and sometimes even month your item was made.
Who makes the best military jackets?
The best field jacket brand is Alpha Industries, a label that has been making jackets for the US military for over 50 years. Other great field jacket brands include Orvis and Carhartt.
How do you wear an M65?
How to Wear The Field Jacket. The M-65 field jacket is best worn casually with a pair of sturdy denim jeans, sneakers and a crew neck T-shirt under a chambray shirt (open or buttoned up). Add a beanie for warmth on brisk mornings, and lose the shirt during the height of summer.
Is the M-65 field jacket waterproof?
The M65 is as practical as it is stylish. It’s designed to keep out the rain, and has a concealable hood that rolls away for convenience. The jacket is lightweight, yet durable with the wind or rain.
Are Army field jackets waterproof?
Its most notable differences included a built-in hood that could be folded into the collar and velcro on the sleeve cuffs and collar. Like the M-43 and M-51, the jacket had four generous pockets and was meant as a waterproof layering piece.
What Jackets did soldiers wear in ww2?
An outer jacket or coat, either the Model 1938 “Overcoat, Mackinaw, Roll Collar” or the M1941 Field Jacket, nicknamed the “Parson jacket” after its designer, in OD 3 was issued. At the outset of the war, the khaki cotton summer uniform was intended to serve as a tropical climate field uniform.
What is a military jacket called?
A military tunic is a type of medium length coat or jacket, the lower hem of which reaches down to the thighs all the way round.
What are military jackets made of?
The jacket itself is distinguished by a leather shell with a lightweight silk or cotton lining, a shirting-style collar, and knitted ribbing at the cuffs and waist.