US WW2 Normandy D Day Assault Vest by Combat Serviceable

American WW2 D-Day assault vest by Combat Serviceable.

This is a classic piece of kit from WW2, made famous from the film Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks wears an Assault through the film.

The D-Day assault vest was used in the Normandy landings by an assortment of asault troops to help carry the extra loads including the US 29th Infantry division and the US Rangers. They had the carrying capacity to hold the normal load plus extra grenades and ammo.

These where mainly issued to first wave troops on the Normandy invasion. The vest would replace the M1928 haversack.

Features:

• 2 large upper chest front pockets with buckle and strap closure are large enough to hold 3 x 20rd Thompson magazines in each pocket.
• 2 large lower front pockets with buckle and strap closure are large enough to hold 5 x 30rd Thompson magazines in each pocket.
• 2 lower front pockets have hand grenade pockets on the side. These are flapped but have no closure.
• 4 sets of 2 grommets (2 sets on the front, 2 sets on the back) around the waist to attaché extra items like holsters, wire cutters etc. The belt hangers would be passed up through the slit in the vest below the grommets.
• The front is closed by two straps on the front.
• Straps on the shoulders.
• Two large pockets on the back.
• The top pocket on the back has a flap of canvas which is suppose to have to two grommets so you can attach the entrenching tool to it, but the manufacture seems to have missed fixing the gromments in, so if you want to attach an E tool on the back you will need to add the groments yourself. 
• On the side of the top pocket there is a sleeve for the bayonet or trench knife..
• Top pocket on the back is secured by two straps and buckles.
• Lower back pocket is secured by one strap and buckle and the size of the pocket can be reduced with two straps and press studs on the bottom of the pocket.
• The top back pocket has US stamped on the outside and Kay Canvas 1944 on the inside.

Please note the top pocket on the back has a flap of canvas which is suppose to have to two grommets so you can attach the entrenching tool to it, but the manufacture seems to have missed fixing the gromments in, so if you want to attach an E tool on the back you will need to add the groments yourself. There are no holes made in the flap and the gromments are not included, so you will need to find the gromments yourself if you want to attach an E tool as we do not have any. The price reflects that there are no grommets, if they where there the price would be more expensive.

Colour: Khaki/tan with green webbing edging.

Available in two sizes:

• Medium.  Back length 28" (71cm). Chest measures 23.5" (60cm) will fit a person with a chest size of 40 to 44" (100 to 112cm) this allows you to wear an M41 jacket underneath.
• Large. Back length 29" (74cm). Chest measures 26" (64cm) will fit a person with a chest size of 45 to 49" (114 to 125cm) this allows you to wear an M41 jacket underneath.

Measurements. Back length is from the base of the neck to the bottom of the vest. The chest is when the vests are laid out flat and are measured from the edges of the vest from under the arm across the front with the two front panels just touching each other, so you have the fastening straps to adjust so you can make it larger which would leave a gap down the front. Plese bear in mind you that you will wear this over clothing when deciding which size to order.