British Leather Jerkins

A look at First World War and Second World War British issue leather jerkins.
/ riflemanmoore
/ riflemanmoore

[@Grahame59]

A timeless garment and easy to see why they were favoured for wear post war by civilians (often but not necessarily ex-servicemen), in fact you could wear this today, especially in a rural area, and it wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. Many people seeing someone wearing one would not even be aware it was an ex-military jerkin.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely, a very popular item and with good reason.

[@derekcarroll7524]

.

[@Mat-kr1nf]

I used to have my grandfather’s from when he served in the Great War, in perfect condition, the leather was beautifully soft. I was absolutely gutted to learn my mother had got rid of it when I was living abroad. He served in Georgia, Greece and, I think, Albania.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Sorry to hear you lost it that way!

[@tobiasbourne9073]

My dad also has an original WW1 leather jerkin, they look brilliant. The reason some soldiers wore it underneath the SD tunic was because its original intention was that of to have it beneath the tunic, thus why it has no belt hooks nor epaulettes etc.

[@oajh2252]

Very interesting thanks for uploading! I remember my grandfather said had one in the 50s when he worked in the Clydebank shipyards!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks! It's very common to see them worn by all sorts of civilians working in heavy manual jobs post war, a favourite with bin men as hard wearing protective clothing.

[@KTM-xz9qj]

My dad used one as a stone mason. In it's latter years it lost it's buttons and he held it shut with string. He swore blind it was warmer than a full coat when he was laying stone. When he passed away my brother inherited it. He's a bricklayer and it's still ticking in 2021.... Great vids and jogged some memories of my dad laying stone in the back garden wearing it.

[@altaylor3988]

1958/59 I wore one of these 'Ferkin' Jerkins when stationed at R.A.F. Debden, Essex. It was great for keeping the cutting Debden winds out so long as the wind front or back, BUT the if the wind was coming from the sides it would whistle through the large arm holes so we would block these arm holes by putting our hands in and interlinking fingers across our chest.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the anecdote! Better than nothing but less than ideal then.

[@altaylor3988]

@@RiflemanMoore Hi Rifleman Moore, Most certainly 'far' better than nothing and there were many times later in Civvy St when I wished I had one particularly during the Winter of 1961/62.

[@markbulmer]

Have a very clear photo in front of me right now of my grandfather wearing one during ww2. Thank you for this information. Much appreciated.

[@deanstuart8012]

We used the PVC version on in the Royal Observer Corps, although they were only issued to officially designated "Cold Weather Posts". During my time on such a post in the mid 80's we never used them, although they were issued. They seemed to be too stiff to be practical so we tended to use civilian coats while doing post set ups/close down on exercise and would sit in sleeping bags while underground. Well, any fool can be uncomfortable.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the information, interesting to know! It seems they were manufactured right into the 1970s, I have seen an example with the NSN included on the label and a '70s contract number.

[@davidbrennan660]

I have the camouflage jerkin, the pattern was very subtle the leather very soft and smooth. I have an unlined Indian pattern one as well, it has very small buttons. The original WWI design was to be worn under the Service Dress as a body warmer I believe, hence the lack of pockets.... but as a practical garment it was worn as an outer garment commonly as pointed out.

[@marcusmason3440]

Been wearing one at work for years.........Its wearing better than I am........took this video for me to realize its army issue.

[@zekehanscom5869]

Very nice video. Comprehensive.

[@noelrigzvassonthomas]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. 👍🏻

[@ogmoreboy]

I was issued one of these when in Germany (BAOR) late sixties, early seventies. They were a good piece of kit in those cold German winters where the winds used to blow from the Russian steppes! We also used to get our great coats cut down like the British warm (WW1) which was brilliant for drivers, always wondered if we would get in trouble for messing up our great coats!

[@harryb8945]

Once again a very informative video. I've got 50s leather one, with Swedish buttons I think. I've forgotten about it until seeing this.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It might be Belgian, do the buttons bear a lion rampant? Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@harryb8945]

@@RiflemanMoore ah then in that case its Belgium. Although i think it has a crows foot.

[@willwallacetree]

Thank you, enjoying all of your recent videos. Interesting to see that Wareings who made your Second War jerkin were based in Northampton, renowned as a centre of shoe manufacture, so there was likely to have been a lot of expertise in leatherwork locally.

[@RiflemanMoore]

That would certainly make a lot of sense. Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@jameskellard5075]

The recent green ones with mesh back were real leather not faux leather. They were intended for gunners, army air crew ground crew and loggies carrying awkward or heavy loads that were likely to damage the uniforms.

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

I bought a camouflage version. Now, I can't find it!

[@dfostman6014]

Thank you, well done vid. I've always thought the jerkin was a good garment and wondered about them. Appreciate the close up of the label and explanation about camo veersions.

[@kraaidievoel]

Great video Thank you

[@TheGearhead222]

I bought a Walloon (Belgium) leather jerkin from the early 1950's and, aside from the wool lining ,is very comfortable and unique-John in Texas

[@jjrider6758]

Like yourself, I'm lucky enough to have both First and Second World War British Army leather jerkins in my collection, the Great War jerkin is pretty much identical to your example and the weave of the lining is exactly the same but the colour is a little darker. The only real difference is that the buttons are held on by way of a brown leather boot lace with a knot tied in it at the top which is then threaded down through the eyes of the buttons on the inside. This set up has clearly been undisturbed for a very long time and does have the look of the type of practical modification that would have been carried out by a soldier in the field. Depending on the pattern of split rings used it may have been done to stop them tangling with your tunic buttons beneath or snagging on the serge maybe ?.. Obviously the jerkin has had a very long (and possibly very eventful..) life and I can't be certain it was done during it's military service, all I can be sure of is that the modification certainly wasn't done yesterday.. or even the day before come to that ..

[@residentoutdoors2303]

Interesting video ..enjoyed watching.

[@petermol6013]

Very interesting! I just bought one the other day that actually is in "next to new" condition. The label reads; W.M.Curwen &Co, January 1940. It has a lot of smaller leather pieces (8) at the lower part. The top button is red (!) but is the same shape and size as the other ones. Probably a replacement to make it more personal... How it has found it's way to Sweden I don't know but is has been taken very well care of.

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing !

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@thehistoadian]

At 2:15 you mention the Royal Corps of Sappers and Miners using similar Jerkins previous to the First World War, do you have any photos/illustrations of them? Extremely well done video!

[@kevinjc7026]

Nice thanks

[@AlexanderCooper1]

I have sometimes worn in wintry conditions a Mascot shooting vest over my jacket (nylon quilted,polyester wadding, with suede leather patches). I wasn't aware of these issued jerkins but one can see how these items are related.

[@jumbo1236]

Have you noticed on the photo you are showing at 7:52 the two lads in the middle wearing the duck jerkin. With canvas instead of leather. At 7:59 the two lads at the back wearing one aswell i think.

[@lib556]

Always wondered about the jerkins. How were they carried? Must be large bundle if rolled up and I don't believe I've ever seen them "stowed" on anyone's back.

[@RiflemanMoore]

As far as I'm aware they weren't individual issue they were unit stores so when not wearing it you wouldn't be carrying it as an item of personal kit.

[@BioSoulHumanoid]

hey, big thank you for all your useful informations in all your videos . i have a small question, i'm converting a 1950's belgian leather jerkin to use with my british ww2 reenacting gear but i dont know the sizes of the original british buttons in millimeters . i found a website selling very similar buttons to the original but i need to know the right size before ti can buy them. big thank you for your help :)

[@laurentdevaux5617]

Very interesting, thanks a lot ! Just a few questions, hoping you'll have an answer : I had the chance to find a mint example of a camouflaged jerkin 20 years or so for a ridiculously cheap price, dated april 1942 (to be honest, there weren't so many French collectors of British militaria then). I've just checked it, and its label doesn't say it's a camouflaged one. It's a tan jerkin with olive green spots, but rather faint. So my question is : what was the reason the WD decided to make camouflaged jerkins ? And as they are far from having been generalized, was it a try or a normal type ? My other question is, was the jerkin part of the campaign uniform of each man, or was it only given to some units (we had something similar in the French army of the world wars, with sheepskin jerkins, and their distribution was rather complicated, though they were often given to what we called "corps francs", something like British commandos). And was it worn on order or at each man's will ?

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

dammit i have to subscribe to your channel its way too informative lol

[@wisconsinkraut3445]

Honestly Ive been looking for one of these for camping use. Any recommendations for a reproductions that aren't to expensive and don't suck?

[@jeremiahr7585]

I would like to know how far back in history this goes

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

The modern zip up green ones are unlined,had a mesh back rather than solid, and are made of a thinner leather, not pvc.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the info, I didn't realise they went back to real leather! As said they're beyong the scope of this video but might be something I'll cover in the future.

[@long_chin_man]

@@RiflemanMoore i have both. one from my uncle alec. he treated the poor thing like rubbish. and the new green one. i have zero idea why the green one has a mesh back and theres zero information as to what its even for. i assume its for keeping your front torso waterproof in muddy wet conditions if you're lying down a lot. but thats it really

[@dwj388]

@@long_chin_man issued to stop your combats getting ripped to buggery on barbed wire etc. Originally it was for CS95, which stood up to zero abuse.

[@long_chin_man]

@@dwj388 so you wear it underneath your clothes? which layer would the jerkin be on?

[@dwj388]

@@long_chin_man it was designed to go over your shirt (jacket lightweight). Very rare it was ever worn to be honest.

[@user-mg6ir5jd7k]

What kind of material is the outer leather (horsehide?) and inner lining? Please let me know. Thank you.

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

Do you oil the Jerkin to keep the leather supple and not dried out ?

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Great War example. Wear on lower left. I can make a dam good guess at hor that came about having had similar wear on jackets. My guess is post war use. I got similar wear from changing gears and pulling the handbrake on and off for hill starts in traffic, being heavy/overweight loads, in an old Bedford. Of course could well be war damage, a bloke carrying a toolbox, a gas mask worn there, a smoker reaching for a pip perhaps.

[@RiflemanMoore]

A good point, your explanation certainly fits!

[@michaszymanski3066]

Is there any supplier of quality replica leather jerkin that you could recommend?

[@reneblacky]

There are camo ones just with only a black imprinted, I have one 41 made by Belmont. Not marked as camo in the tag

[@GiorgiKhabeishvili]

Silvermans surplus sells a reproduction of WWII jerkin. have you seen it or know if its any good? thank you very much in advance!

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm afraid I have only seen it in photographs so I can't really attest to its quality.

[@GiorgiKhabeishvili]

@@RiflemanMoore ok, thank you!

[@jenniferwhite6089]

awesome channel the first world jerkins has the buttons on the lift side than the second world war is on the right side

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks! As you'll see in the video both jerkins button the same way.

[@highdownmartin]

Still wear one.

[@lukewebster1965]

Where did you get you’re polo shirt from love the vids

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks! We had them made for the group I'm part of.

[@mattmagee180]

I have a 1950's dated PVC jerkin in my collection

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed they seem to come in around the mid 1950s.

[@mattmagee180]

Ive worn it a couple of times on displays and it works reasonably well, unless a wind appears and it has a somewhat opposite effect.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Ah, are you using it for WW2 reenacting?

[@jackofswords7]

I was a Sapper and had a PVC jerkin which I wore into the 80s. But I can tell you now they were not nearly as good as the leather ones. In fact, they were pretty useless as they didn't achieve the suppleness of the older leather ones. They had long since stopped being issued when I swapped mine for a cut-down Karki greatcoat.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting to hear of you wearing a PVC jerkin into the 1980s. When were they last issued?

[@wor53lg50]

Its a wonder you wasnt put on report if you was a sapper, and you didnt wear it, is a bloody good job you didnt set anything of with static, its why artilley men in ww1, bomb armourers and sappers had to wear them..thats untill less conductive fabric was used...

[@jackofswords7]

@@wor53lg50 In a working Sapper unit you didn't get put on report for what you wore (within reason) when working but what you did or didn't do when you should or should not have. Work was not a parade.

[@jackofswords7]

@@RiflemanMoore In the 70's I think but don't quote me.

[@colinfenmore9281]

where do I purchase a WW2 jerkin reproduction?

[@wor53lg50]

Jerkins had no reason to be on a infantry man in ww2 its was one of those fashion statements that was functional against cold aswell as looked cool, they are for artillery men in ww1, or for bomber armourers or sensitive radar installers in ww2, the reason is it lessons static, as with ww1 shells oftern would be wiped across the chest heaving them to the breach, wool creates static,static creates electric, electric creates spark and the rest is history...

[@Emchisti]

Ever seen an original duck canvas one Simon?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Unfortunately not, I believe they were very much a Great War expedient, being declared obsolete in the 1920s. There are some excellent photos of an example on the Great War Forum.

[@Emchisti]

@@RiflemanMoore I've got photos of a 1939 example and photos in use in the Phoney War. I'll fire them over to you.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting, I might be thinking of a different garment, I was thinking of the Great War twill version.

[@Zurgo-fl1kx]

Something interesting I heard was that they were used to help slide across the mud, fact or fake?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I've never heard that one before.

[@Zurgo-fl1kx]

@@RiflemanMoore I guess it knda makes sense because the smooth leather would be better than the wool for keeping dry while lying prone.

[@garysimpson7776]

Any evidence of airborne troops wearing them?

[@rogerborg]

Reading from a book written by a better man, has never known the touch of a woman.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Sounds like an unfortunate fellow.

[@michaelpiggott7196]

Why are they called Jerkings and why do they not have arms ,

[@RiflemanMoore]

Jerkins, not jerkings. The lack of sleeves gves freedom of movement. I would recommend searching online for the etymology of the word.

[@WarblesOnALot]

G'day, Ah, yuss..., thus be the Officially-issued Government Uniform Article of Apparel ; intended with which to dress, or clothe, a Jerk in... (hence the name - a "Jerk(er)" being synonymous with a"Wank(er)", a "Toss(er)", or a "Grind(er)". lol. Such is Life. Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Most illuminating!

[@couchcamperTM]

they wore leather and fur but called the biggest civilisation "huns". pathetic.

[@4192362]

you do realise the germans had packs made of cow hide, leather boots and uniforms made of wool…..