I have owned this WWI Air Service Sergeant\'s wool uniform coat since the early 1970s. It is scarce, not only because it is the seldom-seen British contract type, but has a shoulder patch of the First Army, with an Air Service, Third Air Park roudel. The design of the coat was intended to simplify and speed production, and reduce cost. This was accomplished, through a contract with the British government, by eliminating most of the interior lining, all of the sleeve lining, and the exterior patch pockets. The only lining is inside the stand up collar and behind both sides of the button fly. The right breast pocket is ink stamped with the British broad arrow, \"W D\" for War Department, the number \"176\", and inspectors initials. There are remnants of a white tag at the lower inside back. The shoulder patch is a large black wool \"A\" for the First Army, with a 2 1/2\" diameter red, blue and white wool Air Service roundel insignia at the base. The center of the roundel has a blue embroidered \"3\". The black cross bars of the \"A\" (mostly on the top bar) have brown faded spots. There is a darkened bronze Air Service winged propeller collar disc, and the usual US disc. There are two gold lace inverted chevrons on the left cuff, indicating one year or more overseas, and a wool Sergeant chevron on the right sleeve. There is a pin-back Mexican Campaign ribbon and a separate WWI Victory ribbon with one bronze star. The rough olive drab wool is excellent and clean, with one small snag on the lower right of the back, and a small spot of wear on the lower left front (see photos). All of the original US-Made M1910 eagle buttons are present. The chest size appears to be 37 inches, with a 32\" sleeve length. I guarantee that this coat is all-original and as described. Please see my other sales for more original military items from my 55+ year personal collection. Be sure to add me to your favorites list!
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