Excellent, Rare U.S. 82nd Airborne M42 Paratrooper Uniform

Description

9/23/26 - This is an excellent example of a rare WWII U.S. Paratrooper M42 uniform that belonged to a member of the 82nd Airborne. This uniform comes complete with the M42 trousers (Waist-28, Inseam-30), suspenders, JQMD 1942 belt (36), M42 jacket (faded ink stamp), M2 Paratrooper helmet (shell and liner), an original U.S. WWII silk Escape and Evasion map, and a reproduction paratrooper "cricket" clicker.

The rear-seam M2 helmet and liner are in excellent shape with no signs of any damage. All of the leather and cloth straps in this helmet are in tact with no pulling or tearing. Both the liner and the outer shell bear the U.S. Glider Infantry paratrooper insignia on the right side. The visor edge of the shell has a "1191B" heat stamp, which according to McCord's wartime production records, puts the manufacturing date between December 1944 and February 1945.

The M42 paratrooper jacket is in great shape with no signs of any rips or tears to the fabric. All of the buttons and zippers on the jacket are functional with no pulling or separation at the fasteners. The inside of the collar has "G9281" written, which was a common designation for the soldier (first letter of their last name, followed by the last 4 of their social). On the left sleeve on this jacket bears the "Airborne" shoulder patch, just above the All-American "AA" red and blue patch.

The trousers with this paratrooper uniform have no tears or holes. On the front of the pants near the left waist pocket, there are a few lines of discoloration, and on the back of the pants, there is a spot of red discoloration near the top left corner of the leg pouch on the right leg. There is some thinning near the center seam on the back of the trousers. All of the fasteners on the pants are present and adhered securely. The suspenders show no signs of any functional damage and are in excellent condition. The belt with these pants are stamped "U.S. JQMD 1942 36", which is the Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot manufacturer's mark, year, and size.

Along with the uniform, this listing also comes with an original silk WWII-era Escape and Evasion map (Type 43/A and 43/B). This also comes with a paratrooper "Cricket" clicker, though it is not an original. These clickers were used by paratroopers to communicate upon landing without disclosing their location to enemies.