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A Guide to Key U.S. Army Field Jackets – From M-41 to M-65

The U.S. Army Field Jacket has been an on and off-field icon for nearly 100 years, we break down its key models in this in-depth guide.

Albert Muzquiz

The U.S. Army field jacket has gained almost mythical status among vintage buyers and designers. Nearly every brand has either re-interpreted or replicated one of these famous pieces of military history. Modern American history may have immortalized the field jacket, but historically very few G.I.s actually enjoyed this piece of their uniform. Unlike a handsome flight jacket or jauntily-cocked sailor’s cap, the field jacket was often a study in poor planning and general discontent.

On the eve of World War II, all nations were shedding the brightly-colored uniforms of the previous century in favor of more effective camouflage. Even in this new era of understated uniforms, the U.S. Army’s duds were considered particularly unattractive. In the early days of WWII, Tommies and even American sailors and pilots disparaged the army boys as “Brown Jobs,” because of their brown and khaki uniform’s unfortunate resemblance to vomit… and when dirty, feces.

From foxholes to the fashion mainstream, the field jacket is remembered now for its functionality and versatility, and in today’s article, we shall break down four such jackets and pay homage to the Brown Jobs and later Green Jobs, who were so unfairly teased.

We’ll break down the key features of each of these four key silhouettes, as well as point you in the direction of some top-level reproductions from the likes of The Real McCoy’s, Buzz Rickson’s, and Cockpit USA.

/ In Partnership with Cockpit USA /

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M-41 (1940-1945)

The M-1941 was a good idea, but ultimately a poorly executed one. By the outbreak of WWII, the U.S. army uniform had become a tighter and impractical version of the uniform worn in WWI. In its then-current state, the field jacket was suitable only for garrison duty. The imperfect solution to this problem was the creation of the M-1939 Service Coat, a long, wool all-purpose coat that looked more like a history professor’s sport coat than a G.I.’s uniform. Anticipating wool shortages and recognizing the service coat’s impracticality, the Quartermasters developed the M-1941, based on a civilian windbreaker as suggested by Major General Parsons. The relatively lightweight jacket was made from a poplin outer and featured a wool flannel lining.

This jacket was referred to by one veteran as, “useless as a combat garment due to color, fit, and lack of pockets.” The light windbreaker inevitably got in the way during Pacific combat and was insufficiently insulated for the European theater. The M-41 may have been somewhat more waterproof and weatherproof than its predecessor, but it was still widely derided as a design blunder. Despite this, soldiers were seen in the M-41 for the duration of the war, not because they liked the piece, but usually because of material shortages and certain commanders’ personal preference.

A similar identical jacket named the N-4 was issued to the US Navy, which had no epaulettes.

Buzz Rickson’s reproduction M-1941 Jacket – “Lot No. BR15332 / Type M-41 “BUZZ RICKSON CO., INC.”, made in Japan and available at Toyo Enterprise for ¥57,200 (~$380)

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