Uniform, Work, Blue-Denim, M1940
The M1940 U.S. Army Indigo-Blue-Denim Uniform succeeded the M1937 Blue Denim Work Uniform, yet preceded HBT fatigue uniforms. To meet the swelling ranks of the Army with a more user-friendly version of the blue denim work uniform. The Army decided on a button front coat for ease of wearing. The trouser were redesigned with the omission of the buckle strap across of the back and internal hidden front and watch pockets. The rear pockets were retained as a patch style. The Army did eventually replace the denim work uniform with the Herringbone Twill uniforms but what the Army didn't know was just how popular the denim styling would remain post WWII. This uniform was also issued to prisoners-of-war and you can find original examples with the obvious "PW" still painted on the back. It's very distinctive styling was sought after by denim enthusiasts all over the world. Today this style is not only worn by "Americana" dreamers but also by historians and interpreters who focus on bridging history of the Civilian Conservation Corps and other "New Deal" organizations, US Army Coastal Defense parks and museums, and other Pre-WWII Army programs. During the beginning of American involvement in the Pacific this denim work uniform was worn by Army personnel in the field. Pictures sparsely depict some soldiers wearing this uniform during the Bataan Death March right alongside other khaki cotton summer uniforms.
Be advised, this garment is VERY COMFORTABLE. Once you wash it a few times and wear it down, you won't want to take it off! The denim fabric is just the right weight to make it very breathable during the summer, yet durable enough to wear in the motor pool and get dirty. We bring you a real work garment with this uniform with a capitol "W". We totally understand why the Army didn't feel the need to replace this garment. It served it's purpose well though it wasn't really intended as a combat uniform.
We make the best Blue Denim Work Uniforms available anywhere. You don't need to pay the high prices for replicas produced in the far east. We make them ourselves and offer them at a very competitive price. The fabric we use is domestically American made antique style indigo denim which looks and feels like the real thing. Our M1940 coat depicts the fully button front style with metal "US Army" buttons and two top opening pockets with buttoned flaps. The M1940 trousers have patch rear and hidden style front pockets, hidden style watch pocket, and genuine solid zinc cast "USA" fly buttons. The uniform includes a matching denim Daisy Mae hat. These are a must for any coastal defense or other pre-WWII interpreters. Wear them when your manning the gun pits on a coast artillery emplacement or just lounging around next to your Ford T bucket hot rod.
Be advised the denim used in these garments has a 2% shrinkage rate (IE 36" waist will shrink 0.72"). Shrinkage should be considered when sizing.
