I admit I know next to nothing about this but I've recently been offered a set and I'm wondering if the cut is right or WWII.
It's tailored for a Ghurka Rifles officer and made in 1969, thats the *only* markings can find on it. I'm guessing the para wings are not WWII type (they'd be coming off anyway if I buy it as will the medal bars).
Trousers are cut for braces and the tunic has weirdly been fitted with some odd staybright buttons I dont recognise, almost a cross in a circle of rope design.
Essentially it shouldnt cost me too much as it was sourced by a friend who owns a retro shop and thought I might like it.
Fabric is like a barathea type and much nice and heavier than my old dress no2 uniform.
I'm really *hoping* its the right cut for WWII as this isthe first bloody set i've found that fits me!
pics:
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Those are (23) SAS wings Gadge, not para wings. I don't know much about SD but, if I recall, isn't Gurkha stuff cut differently to normal infantry stuff? Mind you, if it fits, who cares? If you're planning on wearing it for socials or airsoft events, it looks fine. Reenactment, on the other hand, I don't think it would be "correct". Yith has a set of WW2 SD, he's probably the man to get photo's for comparison from.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Bloody hell, thought the wings looked different!
I've done a bit of digging about and had me PMs since and the cuts right for early war service dress (false turn up on the cuf, bag bottom pockets, scalloped upper and four button front), so looks sound for re-enacting I just need to be sure out the colour as its a little green... again could be a rifles thing.
Its the same cut as this one:
http://www.worldwarwonders.co.uk/vmchk/ ... rm-ID.html
and the two examples in Brayleys 'the WWII Tommy'
Badges are all gonna have to come off though but part of me is considering getting i purely for the fact its a nice set and I might actually keep it badged and not wear it!
Just seems a bit sacriligeous to take them off it but the medal are General Service and UN observer and totally innapropiate for WWII... and I'd never wear un earned sas wings (or even regular ones)
Its entirely possible the trousers (which have the label for ghurka rifles) are not actually the original pair that came with the tunic but they are exactly the same shade.
Buttons are still a mystery though.
edit: and then again, i've not even got to buy it i its not suitable, they just said take it home, see f it fit and if ts right for you and then make us an offer 
So win win really....
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Wow! Nice.
The jacket looks pretty damn similar to my war-time R.E. SD jacket (the one I was wearing at Sennybridge for the post game social 'mess').
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
Yeah i was quite impressed when they offered it to me but i want to be totally sure its right wihtout needing loads of messing about as I simply dont have the money to waste on stuff that's either wrong or will potentially be ruined by converting it.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I've just found his service no. if you don't have it already: 488402
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/ ... 3/page.pdf (halfway down on the right column)
showing he was bumped from 2nd Lt to full Lt in '71.
*EDIT* and he resigned his commission in '73
I'm not even going to pretend to be an expert on Officer's SD. I am pretty sure mine is 1940s (ish) as my mum looked at the stitching and decided it must be. She knows a bit about tailoring. Simon dated mine as being "slightly post war", but I really couldn't say, to me it looks the same as wartime and before! It came with brass Royal Engineer buttons on.
As far as yours go, I've compared your photos against mine and apart from looking newer, it's basically the same. As I said in my texts to you this afternoon, mine doesn't have the hook closure for the front of the jacket or the hook on the trousers. The plastic buttons on yours look newer, but then it's dated '69 so no surprise there. There no doubt are differences to a more trained eye, but as long as it's barathea and not some nasty polyester stuff then I can't see a problem. Get the buttons changed to a set for the regiment you want to portray, get some collar dogs and rank on it... and go with it. It's certainly worth a punt.
Just don't pay a fortune. It is in good nick, but it's not proper WWII for sure. You know how little I paid for mine!
As an addendum, personally, I think Rich's was the bargain of the 2009 season. I am somewhat jealous as it is a supurb SD.
I know... and I also know you're not the only one.
But the pockets were mothed quite badly and my mum had to do a hell of a lot of repairs!
Coincidentally, I've also just bought a '45 dated Service Dress jacket, and I'm going to need a pair of trousers to go with it.
Any pointers on what to look out for/potential sources?
If only I knew myself.
I actually have a modern officers (60s) SD similar to this one which is surplus to my needs.
Did your intended regiment wear trousers?
Simon
It's badged up as Intelligence Corp, which i was going to leave it as, so yes, pretty certain they wore trousers.
What size are they, if you were thinking of parting with them? I'm a 33-34" waist in non-military sizing.
If you can fit a 32 waist I can sell you a whole uniform, 1946 dated with oxford Bag trousers.
If not, these are 34-36 I think.If reminded, or you are seeing Rich Heath, or we are at an event together, you are quite welcome to try them on.
Sounds like a nice SD, would be interested in seeing it. What regiment was he in before?
32" is possibly a touch on the snug side for me, these days. I'd love to try the larger ones though. what show/events are you at in the near future?
I've no idea what he was prior to Int Corp, as it's not got any other markings than his name, a date and the insignia. I'll try and get some pics up in the near future.
