British 1960 Pattern Combat Uniform

/ riflemanmoore
A look at the 1960 Pattern Combat Uniform used by British forces through the middle years of the Cold War.

[@michaelamos4651]

Fascinating era for British Army uniforms. Thankyou for giving us a deeper insight. Great work

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks, I'm glad you found it interesting!

[@Iolis]

The function of the large pocket secured by a button at the inside bottom of each jacket was to enable the entire jacket to be folded into itself to form a 'pouch' allowing the spare jacket to be stowed inside the large pack.

[@neilhughes3529]

We were issued this kit as Demo Battalion to the School of Infantry in 1990. We wore it with our Mk 6 helmets with the covers removed whenever we played enemy on exercises for the School (presumably to look like Soviet troops). They must have held a stock of it for that use...

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting, thanks for sharing that, as you say they must have held on to old stocks.

[@britishempire5276]

Is there anywhere I can buy the shirt and trousers of this? I've looked everywhere and can't find any for sale.

[@nucleargaz1]

Hi, Why did they have the very constrictive sewn in darts front & rear of the smock (running from near the collar) down the left & right side of the smock?

[@johnsteele2986]

These were issued in Australia with the label added or amended to indicate it was Aussie kit. They were made in the UK and sent down here. I have never seen them is use though. I think they were replaced by M65 jackets at some stage.

[@jeffharper9703]

I'M A COLLECTOR AND WAS LOOKING FOR THIS SMOCK FOR AGES. ARE THERE ANY REPROS OR EVEN ORIGINALS AVAILABLE AND IF, WHERE CAN YOU GET THEM. CHEERS FOR SOME INFO.

[@davephillips9160]

I really enjoy your video's on post world war two uniform and kit. Did the Dutch army use the same pattern jacket as this, as I used to have one similar which had what I believe was a label at the neck inside with Dutch writing?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy! I think the Dutch had their own OD combat uniform which replaced battledress, as I remember it was designated M58 and was somewhat different from British 1960 Pattern.

[@dustoff1601]

I was in the 1967 British army and to tell you draw strings in the trousers were never used we had elastics we used on top of the wool putties , and we made them out of normal elastic strips .

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the information, interesting to hear what was done before trousers twists! Which regiment/corps did you serve with?

[@Metradio]

Same era same kit RAMC, if you could not get hold of elastic strips it was quite common for folks to use rubber bands scrounged from the post room..

[@brianjones1151]

Worn by potential RM Cdo recruits on the 3 day Pre-recruits course at Lympstone in the early 80's if memory serves me. Possibly one of the reasons for their scarcity now..? We were then issued DPM when in actual Basic training.

[@RiflemanMoore]

That woul seem a good explanation, at least in part. I think it's fair to say British forces have always had a very waste not want not attitude and it's interesting to hear a secondary purpose was found for them after DPM combats had been introduced.

[@steveday1257]

Got issued with this as a JLR recruit in 72 but changed to DPM before the end of recruit training. Got tasked by the QM with slashing and cutting all of the handed in olive green kit for some daft reason.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I understand the slashing was done for fear of kit being sold as surplus to NI terrorist organisations.

[@steveday1257]

That would make sense, though years later in the TA they still did it to loads of Denison smocks belonging to 4 para. @@RiflemanMoore

[@vladtheimpala1]

I'm just curious - in practically all newsreels up to 1960 (e.g. Pathe films from the 1950s), British infantry (except for the Paras, and except for soldiers in Korea) are always wearing the old "battle dress". But, here, you say that the 1952 pattern combat smock/jacket was a field uniform in Europe. So, was the 1952 jacket only used by certain regiments? I mean, what uniform did a standard infantryman in BAOR wear, say, in 1955?

[@steveday1257]

Have you got anything on the green Denim work jackets used in the late 60s early 70s often world with green lightweights, We were issued them in the Junior leaders as well as 68 pattern DPM.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm afraid I don't have a set yet to look at but when I do there will be a video.

[@steveday1257]

it was a smart working dress, DMS boots, Half cutdown puttees, Lightweights, Shaved KF shirt, Green work jacket, stable belt, lanyard and beret, Totally dashing :) keep up the good work.@@RiflemanMoore

[@Metradio]

Mid 60's we were issued Denim jacket and trousers as a pair, they shrank like anything when washed ....

[@joekurtz8303]

Did the Dutch army adopt the trouser pattern in OD GREEN? I have 2 pair w/ velcro cuff, button fly,.in heavy cotton .

[@RiflemanMoore]

They had their own green combat uniforms, yes.

[@mh53j]

Why in the world did they go to a full length zip in later smocks? They really are constrictive. The two way zip helps, (i have, I believe, a 90 pattern smock with full length 1--way zip, no button front, almost like a para smock--- very restrictive) but the waist length zip most practical. Still prefer SAS smock, like many, just the hood a pain in the rear to roll up (I can't get it right anyway); would prefer the button on as here. Couldn't tell on my little phone screen, did those jackets have "poacher's pockets" inside at the bottom rear?

[@mh53j]

CarbonCartel thanks!

[@canarbn3com]

Love those smocks i had one years ago it got stolen...the one i had ...had the tail in it like a jump smock...have been trying to find a replacement for 30 some odd years,,,,lucky you to have 2

[@frankryan3294]

Irish Army used this pattern of combat uniform up to 2000. In the early 90s they changed from a button flap breast patch pocket. The redsigned pocket was under the outer shell with a zip running vertically. The pocket openings faced the button flap on the jacket. I think this was to allow easier access to the pocket when wearing web equipment by sliding the hand under the harness straps. If memory serves me correct a second cargo pocket was added to the trousers.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I have a video up covering this uniform.

[@frankryan3294]

@@RiflemanMoore Thank you

[@frankryan3294]

@@RiflemanMoore I have just looked at it. It's very good Brings back memories. Thank you.

[@georgesmith5708]

Thanks for this informative video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

You're most welcome, I'm glad you found it informative.

[@lhpl]

It probably turns out to obvious when I have the explanation, but I simply can't understand a word (or two, to be exact) of what you are saying, when at about 1:54 you talk about "experimentation" regarding the stitched of section of the upper pocket. It sound to me as if you are saying "quarz fiver", but why someone would want to stick a quarz fiber in there is beyond me, so could you be so kind and spell it out here?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm referring to a quartz fibre dosimeter.

[@lhpl]

@@RiflemanMoore Thank you very much! I had never heard of such a thing before (well, I know what a dosimeter is), so I couldn't make sense of it. Learned something new, great!

[@johnsteele2986]

Where 1960 pattern trousers worn with denison smocks by airborne units until replaced by the dpm para smock or where they a different type of trouser?

[@RiflemanMoore]

They wore lightweights and 1960 Pattern combats until the DPM para smock was finally introduced circa 1977.

[@adamguthrie8522]

Late to the party, but just wanted to share. What Price Glory began offering reproductions of these in late 2021. I haven’t seen any in person, but the pics look pretty good. They have also produced 63 Pattern windproof smocks in green and DPM.

[@nucleargaz1]

Yup, I've got a 1960 DPM from WPG & its very good, I've gone a size up as the 46" was very tight cos of the production darts sewn in back & front of smock, I've had to unstich the darts in my 48" to get more room, I can see why the airborne didn't want them.

[@Metradio]

Recently received a 60 pattern smock and trousers from What Price Glory, very good quality reproductions, apart from there being no labels you would take them for originals. The sleeves and legs are quite long on me and required tailoring.

[@marciebalme588]

Greetings from Australia - My husband is painting 20mm British 1960's infantry can you kindly confirm this is a olive drab colour

[@RiflemanMoore]

It is indeed, if you can drop me an email I can send a clear photograph of the uniform in daylight to provide a better colour reference if that would be of assistance.

[@marciebalme588]

@@RiflemanMoore face book message sent

[@peterfeeney721]

Hi Mate, resolutely cut out ANY waist or leg cords till 2003. We were sent with no rations and the weight literally fell off us, not least after the Brigade went down with what we suspected was a bio weapon. Had to use parachord to hold up my breeks! Ever after deployed with braces and used them often. Also, used Bundeswehr waterproofs, with braces.

[@HellYeahBigKev]

Used this gear, you'd need braces for the trousers and pencil arms hahaha

[@Barnaby_bo]

When did they start putting nato sizes on the label?

[@rockywr]

Used on joining in 1971 as an apprentice...... horrible when wet.... same as most army kit... Have a go at rolling up the smock hehe...

[@RiflemanMoore]

It seems it wasn't until the '80s that the realisation dawned that the combats were too heavy weight and were a nightmare when wet. You can definitely see that these were developed from a design initially intended for cold weather use.

[@heikoplotner2636]

Danke ! Interessant !

[@RiflemanMoore]

Vielen dank!

[@bencarreiro2703]

That looks quite similar to the Canadian 1960s combat dress.

[@RiflemanMoore]

To a degree I suppose, in that they are both green combat dress, in the details they are markedly different.

[@johnraptis8953]

used all in Nothern Ireland battles??????

[@RiflemanMoore]

It was worn early on during Operation Banner, yes before DPM clothing became available.

[@johnraptis8953]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Banner

[@johnraptis8953]

thanks a lot about to answer my comment

[@Richard500]

I wore this awful combat kit to death in all weather and climates!

[@heinzgroth247]

Давно хочу такую куртку.👍

[@l.f.c9973]

America might have had the better uniform But we had the better rifle Watch the yanks in my replies

[@couchcamperTM]

geez they didn't even try ;-)

[@camojoe83]

Idk, I like that jacket. Nice pockets.