Original British WWII Airborne Royal Artillery P-40 “Battledress” Uniform Set – Beret, Tunic, Shirt, Trousers, Gaiters and Scrim Original Items

Original and New Items: Only One Set Available. Battledress (BD), later named the No. 5 Uniform, was the combat uniform worn by British Commonwealth and Imperial forces through the Second World War.

Battledress was introduced into the British Army just before the start of the war and worn until the 1960s. Other nations introduced their own variants of battledress during the war, including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States and after the Second World War, including Argentina, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, and Greece.

It was worn mostly but not exclusively in temperate climates. In some armies it continued in use into the 1970s. During the Second World War and thereafter this uniform was also used for formal parades (including mounting the guard at Buckingham Palace) until the re-introduction of separate parade uniforms in the late 1950s.

This is a very nice condition WWII British P-40 “Battledress” uniform top, with replica patches for the British Airborne Royal Artillery. The patches on the left and right sleeve are the “Royal Artillery” rocker in blue with the blue and red pegasus patch below it with the Airborne patch below that. There is also a Glider Pilot patch to the left chest. The jacket is in very good condition. We cannot explain the Glider Pilot patch on the Artillery uniform. The jacket is original to WWII and is in fantastic, almost unissued condition. The maker label to the inside shows the maker and size information:

BATTLEDRESS
BLOUSES, 1940 PATTERN
Size No. 18
Height, 6ft. 0in. to 6ft. 2in.
Breast, 43 in. to 44 in.
Waist, 38 in. to 39 in.
MOURNE CLOTHING
CO., LTD.
(Broad Arrow)

There is also a small date stamp going across the broad arrow stamp: MAR 1942.

The beret is in fantastic condition and also has replica insignia on the front. The camouflage scrim appears to be original and solid condition. The gaiters are in lovely condition and is a matched pair of 1942 dated examples. The wool shirt and trousers are also in excellent condition but the top button on the trousers is missing completely.

This is a fantastic, highly displayable uniform set. Comes more than ready for further research and display!

Approximate Dimensions
JACKET-
Collar to shoulder: 11”
Shoulder to sleeve: 28”
Shoulder to shoulder: 20”
Chest width: 23”
Waist width: 21”
Hip width: 20”
Front length: 24.5″

SHIRT-
Collar to shoulder: 10.5”
Shoulder to sleeve: 25.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 20”
Chest width: 25”
Waist width: 21”
Hip width: 21”
Front length: 33″

PANTS-
Waist; 20″
Inseam: 26″