ORIGINAL WW2 AMERICAN M1942 PARATROOPER JACKET

This is an amazing, hard to find, American WW2 Original M1942 Paratrooper jacket.  We brought this back with us from Normandy, France this summer.
 
The M42 was mostly worn by Paratroopers assigned to Airborne units. It would have been worn by either the 82nd Division, the 101st Division or the OSS (Logistics Support to Special Operations in Europe or in this case the French Resistance).  We are leaning to it being a jacket worn by the OSS as there was no insignia on the jacket, which the OSS were know to not normally wear insignia .
This example offered in excellent condition measures as a size 36" and has all original snaps, belt and fully functional original zippers. There are a few small marks on it but overall great shape, we think it has been worn.

The M42 color is Olive Drab #3.  The coat consists of four front patch pockets with two button snaps on each, along with a unique dual-zippered knife pocket located on the upper lapel which was designed to contain a switchblade pocketknife.

This example is of the earlier style. 

Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the uniform, the M42 was often reinforced with thicker, tougher canvas on the elbows, crotch and knees. However, this example was never reinforced. The M42 was mostly worn by Paratroops assigned to Airborne units. The M42 was eventually phased out in favor of the M1943 uniform, which was a darker green, OD #7. Despite this, various individuals chose to keep their M42s also.