Denison Smocks

[Smithy]

Evening all,

I want to pick up a repro Denison smock and was just wondering if anyone can chime in with opinions and who makes the best ones.

Ta muchly,

Tim

 

[Tom Bowers]

In the US there's a company called what price Glory who makes quite a nice Dennison Smock (2nd pattern) which I was able to see recently at the event in Toccoa GA
https://onlinemilitaria.net/products/5827-2nd-Pattern-Denison-Smock-Improved-Run/

In Europe/ UK the company Soldier of Fortune makes a serviceable one as well

I really like the Dennison and almost bought one of the What price Glory smocks just to wear

Tom Bowers

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Tom, I was looking at the WPG ones but was wanting some opinions on construction, how faithful the colour is to originals , etc.

Cheers,

Tim

 

[Silver Surfer]

looks good, but ya may want to consider the officers version that zips all of the way down. or, you can still find originals [very pricey]. or ya may want to consider an original south african 1950s smock. the sf smocks are loaded with pockets, zip all of the way down [from the left, not right. but i changed mine]. they are water resistant. the prob is sizing. if ya see one and like it, make sure to get proper measurements, as they were designed to go over tons of gear. once in a while, they show up on greedbay, and fly under the radar screen, as not many know what they are, or they are poorly described. i wear mine for heavy duty yard work, log splitting, dirt humping, etc.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Vic, I'm not too fussed so long as it's well made and the colours aren't too out of whack.

 

[Silver Surfer]

sorry, i meant belgian 1950s smock. they were issued for troops in the belgian congo. not south african smocks. why the were issued to troops in the congo is anyones guess, as they are quite substantial. they show up on ebuk.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Vic.

 

[Silver Surfer]

similar brush stroke pattern.

 

[Tom Bowers]

Thanks Tom, I was looking at the WPG ones but was wanting some opinions on construction, how faithful the colour is to originals , etc.

Cheers,

Tim

I was impressed by the WPG smocks I saw, they compared very favorably with the few originals I've seen. The hardware especially the snaps and zipper were very nicely done reproductions
Tom Bowers

 

[Skip]

Something out a left field. I always wondered if the Denison camo pattern eventually led to the Brit DPM pattern of the '60's 70's?

Along with the late war German patterns and the US Tiger stripe of the 60's reckon they've got to be some of the sexiest camo around.

 

[dmar836]

The Congo was a colony of Belgium until 1960. There were many smocks and a crap ton of FN FALs in the museums in Belgium.
You could always go over to the Congo and hunt around for a smock left there! That stuff happens all the time in France. In fact I think Congo CL had a recent listing, "1950s Dennison smock found in barn loft in the Congo"
Good luck!
Dave

 

[unclegrumpy]

I think Congo CL had a recent listing, "1950s Dennison smock found in barn loft in the Congo" Good luck! Dave

Dave, sometimes the level of insensitivity you show to other cultures, people's daily lives, and their feelings is simply appalling. Barn lofts in the Congo? Give me a break, we all know mud huts don't have "lofts", and why would you think the indigenous people would save or even wear a Dennison? First, do they even wear shirts? And second, that crouch flap would clearly interfere with the flow of their grass skirts...especially when they dance...which is well known to happen often and spontaneously in the course of their everyday lives.

 

[Smithy]

I was impressed by the WPG smocks I saw, they compared very favorably with the few originals I've seen. The hardware especially the snaps and zipper were very nicely done reproductions
Tom Bowers

Thanks Tom, I'm thinking of probably going with a WPG one. It's just for knocking around in the woods over summer and whatnot.

Something out a left field. I always wondered if the Denison camo pattern eventually led to the Brit DPM pattern of the '60's 70's?

Along with the late war German patterns and the US Tiger stripe of the 60's reckon they've got to be some of the sexiest camo around.

I like a lot of the Jerry camo stuff Matt, problem is and I know this might sound funny but I'm not sure I could wear it here, it would feel odd and it's very recognisable, not to the general public but anyone with half an interest in WWII would spot it straight away. I know that might be silly but it's not terribly long ago that there were fellas running around here in the real deal.

Think I'll stick with the Denison!

 

[Skip]

Yeah Tim, can totally understand that

 

[unclegrumpy]

I'm not sure I could wear it here, it would feel odd and it's very recognizable not to the general public but anyone with half an interest in WWII would spot it straight away. I know that might be silly but it's not terribly long ago that there were fellas running around here in the real deal.

Better to look like one of the good guys than the bad...I think more people recognize those German patterns than you might think.

 

[Smithy]

Better to look like one of the good guys than the bad...I think more people recognize those German patterns than you might think.

Exactly Uncle. Even the wife's grandmother is still around and remembers quite vividly (she's still got all her marbles) the time and all the Jerries running around here. The old Gestapo HQ is just up the road from us and I still get a funny feeling whenever I drive/walk past it.

 

[Yockers]

Within the UK living history/ WW2 reenactment community a guy called Frank Brown ( he goes under the name Pegasus Drive or Frank brown on facebook) makes the most accurate reproduction denison smocks available,

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Yockers, is that the same chap as Pegasus Militaria and who used to make prestige suits and some other RAF kit?

 

[Yockers]

Pegasus militaria I think is Steve Kiddle,he makes British uniforms and is well respected in his field, Frank on the other hand makes a lot of canvas bits like cab covers and tilts for vehicles and piat antitank weapons, Frank however makes probably one of the best reproducton Denison's out there and you have a choice of variants either early or late pattern made to your measurements, according to the airborne guys Frank is the go- to guy, its very hard to tell the difference between an original and one that frank has made.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks mate for the clarification.