As mentioned before, it is most recommended that you acquire the wool uniform before buying anything else. One of the hardest things for those already in the hobby is to find spare uniforms that actually fit other people. Next to pants and boots, one of the most difficult things to supply to another person is the wool shirt. Folks were a lot smaller back in the day and shirts that fit our post-McDonald's sizes are hard to come by. However, they are out there and with some persistence and patience, you'll find the right size for you. If not, and you're anxious to just get one, you can always go for a reproduction.
All the shirts are long-sleeve, collared button downs with two front pockets with squared flaps. The buttons are either brown plastic or bakelite. The front buttons may either be designed with a pleat or without. On the sleeves are typically two buttons for cuff adjustment and may have an extra flap internally to serve as gas protection. The same gas flap can also be found at the neckline. None of the enlisted men's shirts had epaulets.
Color is very important. But, before you start comparing every shirt to the ones you see here, it must be noted that during the war, the government contracted out to many companies for the manufacture of their uniforms and equipment. Because of the various makers working across the nation, it was unpreventable to make a uniform dye lot. So, sometimes there might be a slight variation in color shirt to shirt. It's usually not drastic and may not even be noticable, but be cognizant of it when purchasing (especially when it comes to equipment). Avoid shirts that are very green or way too khaki. Also, the material should not be too thick. During the Korean War, there was a winter wool shirt that was a lot thicker in material.
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In Figure 1 above, the shirt has the single pleat, darker bakelite buttons, and the extra gas flap material (look closely at the cuffs). |
The shirt in Figure 2 lacks the gas flap material. It has plastic buttons (there are lighter in color), and sports the pleated button-down front.
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