Exceedingly rare pants from Ladd AFB testing in Fairbanks, Alaska, dated 1947.
Ladd was established in the early 1940s to test planes and cold weather gear- these pants carry an ""experimental test sample, Personal Equipment Laboratory, Air Tech Serv. Command"" label with hand- written info including spaces for project number, date, engineer, and size, as shown. Hand written entries are rather faded, but the date 2-7-47 can be made out.
Olive drab satin nylon outer, densely padded form, lined in a slightly less shiny and greener olive nylon weave. Metal Talon zip fly closure with leather pulls- two way zipper. Attached suspenders with leather ends button onto the outer, metal snap removal options at elastic attachments; metal slide adjustments. Amazingly, there is some elasticity left the suspenders. Cross point of suspenders is stamped with the same winged star design from the label, with illegible type below (both front and back).
Pants have a higher rise in the back. Large patch pockets with buttoned flap closures on the front thighs and back butt. Leg openings are very slightly tapered to the cuffs, which have tab button adjustments, as shown. Approximately 4 lbs. weight.
Condition is as found- and quite good considering the age and use. Exceedingly durable construction. Some discoloration along the zipper and where the leather suspender attachments have rested against the nylon. Some minor marks and light surface runs to the nylon.Both the leather and metal sections of the suspenders show antiquing but all function properly.
An amazing pair of military pants- quite likely one of a kind!
Measurements:
38"" waist / 19"" across the waistband interior
approximately 48"" hip allowance (leaving some space for padding/ thickness)
14.5"" front rise, 23"" back rise
31.5"" inseam
45.5"" overall length (at side seam)