RARE British Airborne Trousers ‘Trousers, Parachutists’

An extremely rare pair of original WWII British ‘Trousers, Parachutists’. This pattern of trousers was developed for British Airborne forces during WWII and saw issue with Airborne regiments as well as the SAS. This particular pair no longer retains its original maker’s label, however, only a small number of manufacturers were awarded contracts to produce this pattern during the war. The date can be 1943,1944 or 1945. The trousers are made from the standard khaki-green wool serge used for British issue battledress trousers throughout WWII. As with all wartime-produced ‘Trousers, Parachutists’, they feature brushed cotton lined slash pockets at each hip. The expanding map pocket on the front of the left leg is the style associated with Airborne pattern trousers. Unlike earlier examples, this pocket is not lined with chamois, as this feature proved unpopular in service. Instead, it incorporates a cotton drill lining which acts as a divider, creating two separate compartments. The pocket also retains the two small brass press studs at each corner, both manufactured by Newey.

Another noteworthy feature is the knife pocket located in the side seam of the right leg. This concealed opening is secured by two small metal press studs when not in use and was designed to accommodate the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, a weapon commonly carried by elite British units. Inside the pocket is a single green button used to secure the knife scabbard. Identical buttons are fitted throughout the trousers and are typical of late-war battledress production from 1944–45. The pocket itself is constructed from the same khaki cotton drill material used in the waist lining.

The trousers also feature the characteristic twin dressing pockets to the rear, another distinctive element of Airborne trousers. These were intended to carry additional First Field Dressings and were designed to provide easy access in the event of injury following a parachute landing.

Inside the trousers, two War Department acceptance stamps remain present, although both are now faint and only partially legible. Condition wise, the trousers have damage to  waistband (see last photos, and two areas on the rear of the right leg (see last photos, small and a larger hole). The front remains in good condition, showing only minor wear and small defects that are barely noticeable. Restoration would certainly be possible, however, the trousers are offered here in untouched ‘as found’ condition, allowing the next custodian to decide whether to preserve or restore them.

The British Airborne ‘Trousers, Parachutists’ were produced in relatively small numbers and are seldom encountered on the market today, this is an increasingly scarce and highly sought after piece of British airborne equipment that would make an excellent addition to any serious collection of WWII British, Airborne, or Special Forces militaria.