Home Home
   Swat the Shopping Bug to view related military items!



WWII US Army M1943 Field Jacket -
During the early days of the war many of the uniforms across the US armed forces were not truly standardized. In addition, the current field jacket was not providing the type of protection desired by the soliders. In May 1943 the Army's Quartermasters issued the M1943 jacket (also known as the M43). This jacket provided several improvements from its predecessor and helped consolidate the uniforms across the military branches.

Among the advantages found in the jacket are:



1) Four pockets were provided. Two at the chest level and two towards the bottom of the jacket.

2) Pockets were reenforced to provide the ability to carry heavier items such as granades.

3) A removable hood was available.

4) A flap was placed under the left collar to allow a more complete closure to be achieved to protect the neck area.

5) This jacket also helped initiate the concept of cloth layaring to offer better protection in the colder climates.

The specification number given by the Quartermasters to this jacket was PQD 370. The construction of the jacket consisted of a sateen shell with cotton lining. The waist could be adjusted via an internal string. The wrists had buttons that would allow the user to close them.

The front of the jacket could be secured by using six hidden buttons. This would allow a cleaner surface and avoid any dangling equipment to get accidentally snagged on the buttons.
The pockets of the jacket were also secured by hidden buttons.

This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII US military uniforms. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII US uniform worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the uniforms is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the American military uniforms in the collector's market is illustrated.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
  1. US Military Uniform Buttons
  2. Clothing Tags of US Military Uniforms
  3. WWII US Uniform Materials
  4. Purchasing a WWII US military Uniform
  5. Perspective View






The design of the M43 jacket was so successful that the US armed forces today wear field jackets whose designed can be traced back to the M43. A white tag with black letters was often found in the inside of one of the lower pockets. In later years the location of the tag changed to the inside liner.

Later during the war some variations were introduced to the construction of the jacket. They included:

1) The relocation of the collar tab from the bottom to the top. Model PQD 370A.

2) A triangular tab built onto the top of the jacket replaced the old collar tab system. Model PQD 370B.

3) A button was added to hold down the collar tab when it was not being used. PQD 370C.



This WWII US uniform may be currently reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.



If you have an interest is seeing other WWII US uniforms, you can do so by going to our American Military Uniforms Price Guide. Where we cover Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other organizations.



PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

The value for WWII US uniforms and other military antiques and collectibles is provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.

Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Value $70.00 $80.00 $90.00 $90.00 $100.00 $100.00 $110.00 $120.00 $120.00 $130.00
Availability Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium
Invest Grade B B B B B A A A A A


While the item featured here is not for sale, similar items like it are available for purchase in our website MilitaryItems.com


  MARKET ANALYSIS
Feb 27th, 2017
Most of the American uniforms of the WWII era are relatively common. The field jacket featured here is getting hard to find. In general the appreciation has been moderate. Recently the value has began to come up some. It is expected that this trend will continue.


 
� 1997 - 2022 MilitaryItems.com - All rights reserved.