Irish Army FCA Women's Moss Green Service Uniform Dress Jacket - Medium

At a glance - 

• Durable Quality Wool Material
• 2 Faux Chest Button Pockets & 2 Faux Slanted Waist Button Pockets
• F. C. A. Shoulder Patch
• Filton Limited Tailoring
• Good Condition
• Beautiful Engraved Staybrite Buttons
• Notched Lapel
• Volunteer Forces
• Belt Loops
• Scarce Kit
• Polyester Lining
• Moss Green Colour

• Pit to Pit Chest Size: 39" | Suggested Size: Medium Slim - Label states "38 R"
• Sleeve Length: 23" / Short
• Collar to Hem: 26.5" 

• Vintage Militaria / Dated 1994
• Genuine Irish Army / Irish Army Reserve Surplus

Grades - 

• Grade 2 - Good quality surplus, previously issued with use. The shoulder epaulettes have been removed and at the top of each shoulder and as such there is a hole where it would have been previously sewn in. This will of course need repairing, but shouldn't be too difficult. There is also a few threads on the one sleeve where another patch has been removed. Price reflects this.

Any questions please feel free to ask!

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Vintage surplus, issued in 1994. Made from quality wool, the jacket is very durable and has a polyester lining. These jackets are used primarily for ceremonies and parade events. The jacket is from the "Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil" or Local Defence Force, an Irish army component dating back as early as the 1920's.

What makes this such an interesting piece is that before 1991 women were unable to join, and just the year before this jacket was issued in 1994, women were allowed into the reserve, making this jacket is one of the first few to be issued. And to me what's really amazing is that the reserves are only about 4,000 members strong, the majority being male, so to have this is really special. If you know about the FCA, you'll be aware that in 2005 it was reorganised into the "Reserve Defence Force", meaning a jacket like this was only available for a little over 9 years.

For features, it's sadly lacking quite a few as is the case with most women's clothing. The 2 chest pockets and the 2 hip pockets are faux, being purely for decoration. There is however some small thread belt loops. There's also the most endearing staybrite buttons, which are engraved with "IV" with a harp in the centre. It's a lovely quaint touch. There's also the F. C. A. shoulder patch on the left hand side.

As for colour, it's more of a moss green than the usual army olive green. It's a beautiful shade that stands out against the norm, without being outlandish.

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