I was fortunate to find this pristine item right around the same time as the matching combat shirt, though unfortunately there also isn’t a lot I can say about it, since this field cut piece is also entirely standard in cut and design features.
As with the combat shirt, this field shirt is made from a 50/50 NYCO twill that appears to be just the same as the fabrics used in USMC issued MCCUU apparel.
Not every G3 field shirt that I have ever removed from its’ original packaging has come with these 3 extra pieces of velcro loop, but any camo pattern not sold commercially has had them. If stitched on they do allow for mounting of US military standard type embroidered rank badge, name tape and service tape. Personally I have never opted to actually have any sewn on to any of my shirts, though it is something I have often considered doing as it is very rarely seen, but is an official factory supplied feature.
Going by the boxed-in heat transfer label we can ascertain that this shirt is of an earlier production, though G3s were made with this label style for many years so this label doesn’t allow for pinning the production to any particularly specific time period.
As I mentioned previously, MARPAT (or at least a faithful clone) was the first camo pattern I purchased for myself using money from my first ever job as a temp in an office for a few months, back before I signed on the line. The pattern is fairly effective in a wide range of environments that one might encounter in the British countryside, at almost any time of year. Though I feel like the lush shade of green and coyote brown colours that make up most of this camouflage might have more in common with the virtual woods in an early 90s video game than most real life woodland areas; and that’s nothing to do with the actual pixel pattern.
Either way, given my long-time enjoyment of this camo combined with the rather less common nature of this specific garment, it is very much one of my favourite items of militaria.
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