We were not sure about this smock and listed it simply as a Green Cotton Anorak initially, then Henry Iddon & Max Leonard came along, they were compiling a book about British outdoor clothing (1953-2000) and wanted to photograph some of our clothing – the Green Cotton Anorak was one of the chosen items. Being rather more knowledgeable than us they worked out that the Anorak was actually a rare U.S. Navy Gunner’s Smock that had been dyed green (not very well) and had a few buttons added – proper job!

Seems that these smocks began life in the U.S. Navy during WW2 as a ‘coverall’ to protect from contaminants such as gas attacks, the voluminous hood allowing for use of a gas mask and draw-cords at the wrists to halt ingress. It seems that most of the crews, not just the Gunners, wore smocks like this at the Normandy landings.

Quite how the smock got from the deck of an American ship into the Scottish mountains, and ultimately to us, we’re not really sure as we don’t have a record of its arrival. We do know that smocks of a similar ilk are selling for £5/600 in 2025, if you can find one, and we do know that Henry and Max produced their book, Mountain Style, in 2024 which is excellent, go get one.