Though still manufactured with the same dark blue corded-cotton outer shell as on earlier examples, alpaca fur was now used as the lining material and the torso length grew longer for greater protection from the elements. This all-new jacket took into account the lessons learned from two hard years of warfare at sea. By late 1943, the second version of this Deck Jacket design was being phased out of production and an entirely new design was being brought into use: the N-1. Army’s Winter Combat Jacket (Tanker Jacket). Most of the deck jackets used in WWII evolved from a blue zip-front design that was very similar in appearance to the U.

Winter jackets, commonly referred to as “Deck Jackets,” became the most cherished clothing articles of sailors during WWII and among collectors today.

A sailor’s duties are very often performed in the most challenging and harsh weather conditions while at sea, thus clothing needed to be durable, warm and functional.

Navy developed and used many different styles of cold-weather gear and clothing during the 1940s.

12031 combat arms classic