Finnish Army M53 Trial Pattern Ike Jacket - Large

At a glance - 

• Material: 100% Wool twill
• Storage: 2 Button chest pockets
• Closure: Concealed button fastening
• Features: 2 Side waist adjusters, shoulder epaulettes, button cuffs & storm flap collar
• Colour: Trial Pattern Brown Grey

• Vintage Militaria / Issued 1961 / Cold War Era
• Genuine Finnish Armed Forces / Finnish Army Surplus

• Pit to Pit: 22.5" 
• Sleeve Length: 22.5"
• Collar to Hem: 26.5"
  
• Suggested Size: Large Slim / X Short
• Original Label: Reads 52A

All measurements are taken by hand from the actual garment. Original military sizing may differ from modern sizing conventions or the garment's present measurements. Please use our measurements as your primary guide to fit.

Grades - 

• Grade 2 / Original Condition - In good shape for its age, but does have a fair few signs of repair and wear. Some markings on the one pocket. This had previously been brought and restored by the Finnish National Theatre but is genuine surplus, as they brought quite a bit of government stock in the 1980s. Please see photos for any issues, but certainly up for many more adventures.

Any questions please feel free to ask!

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An exceptionally rare piece of Finnish army gear. This is the M53 Trial uniform, an earlier model of the more renowned Finnish M65 uniform. Unlike its grey counterpart, this earlier model was made of a lighter wool twill material, not a blend. While being thinner, it still offers decent windproofing capabilities. Colour and material change is really all that seperates the two uniforms. M65s got some nicer buttons it must be said, but they did remove the side waist adjusters which do add some extra flare and a better fit.

The M53 was an attempt at modernising the Finnish Defence Force after WW2 and the Winter War with the Soviet Union. Being in such a cold climate, wool remained the clear choice. The Finns also opted for a cropped cut, taking inspiration from contemporary German uniforms. Namely the Feldbluse M44 which saw issue by the then axis ally of Finland. 

Being a trial jacket, it only saw use with a few divisions until the M65 was released in full, and maintained relatively low numbers only in the few hundreds. 

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