US WW2 Officers OD 51 Ike Jacket

Officers OD 51 Ike jacket, which is often referred to as the chocolate Ike jacket.

The Ike jacket is a waist length tunic with a button up front.

The standard issue officers tunic in WW2 was the 4 pocket tunic, but after the arrival of US troops to Great Britain some US officers liked the look of the British Battle Dress tunics which were a short wool tunic. General Eisenhower was one of the officers who liked the look of the British BD (Battle Dress) tunics and can be seen in many photographs wearing a version made in the standard US Officer fabric. It became a popular item and the tunic is named after General Dwight D Eisenhower as the Commanding General of European Theatre of Operations nickname was "Ike".

Officers sometimes converted there four pocket tunic into a Ike jacket at the local tailors, others had a tailor specially make them one, looking at original examples and various photographs you can see a lot of variations of how tailors have either converted a 4 pocket, sometimes by simply cutting the lower section off and adding a belt others have also altered the top pockets. The made to order Ike jackets have even more differences from the type of belt buckles, to pocket shapes even the buttons used (plastic or brass).

This replica Officers Ike jacket has been designed after a long study of war time Ike jacket design and follows the best design and have features the most popular design worn in WW2 by American officers.

Made by Kay Canvas and is made using a specially commissioned fabric to get the right material and colour.

The WW2 US Officers Ike jacket features:

• Short waist length tunic.
• Front is closed by 4 large plastic buttons which are all concealed, so are hidden from view.
• Two breast pockets have a centre pleat, shaped pocket flaps and are each closed by a single plastic button which is concealed.
• Shoulder epaulettes each have a small brass button.
• Brass buttons have the US Eagle design on them.
• Cuffs on the sleeves can be adjusted with the wrist tab and the two plastic button on each cuff.
• Waist band has a built in waist belt like the British BD tunics.
• The waist belt is adjusted with a chrome buckle similar to the buckles used on the British BD tunics.
• Single belt loop on the waist band so you can tuck away the end of the waist belt.
• Waist band is 2.5" (6.5cm) wide.
• Fabric is 85% Wool and 15% Polyester.
• Inside is lined.
• Two inside chest pockets.
• Period looking label sewn on the inside reads "Regulation Army Officers Uniform Tailored by Kay Canvas". 

The Ike jacket was worn in any combination of officers trousers and shirts so it can be worn with either the Pinks or OD 51 officer trousers and either the Pinks or OD 51 officer shirts.

Price is for 1 x Officers OD 51 Ike jacket.

Insignia is not included.