Royal Army Medical Corps Mess Dress Jacket and Waistcoat
This lot comprises a Royal Army Medical Corps mess dress jacket together with a matching waistcoat. The jacket is made from black wool with contrasting red facings to the shawl collar, shoulder straps and cuffs. It is fitted with gilt metal buttons and a Royal Army Medical Corps badge is pinned to the left lapel. The jacket also carries gilt thread parachute wings and a commando dagger badge in gilt thread on the sleeves. The waistcoat is cut from red wool with a deep V-neck, two welt pockets and four gilt buttons, each bearing the Corps insignia. Both garments are lined, the waistcoat in cream and the jacket with a quilted red lining. The waistcoat label reads “By Appointment to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Coat and Uniform Makers, Kashket and Partners Ltd, London”, with an address at 35 Hoxton Square, Islington, London N1 6NN.
Condition and Collector Interest
The jacket shows general signs of age and use, including light surface wear to the black wool and some loose threads and fraying to the edge of the parachute wings patch. The red facings and waistcoat appear comparatively clean, and the gilt buttons and lapel badge remain present. Both pieces are offered as presented and no further examination has been carried out. The combination of a named maker to the Royal household, Corps insignia and additional sleeve badges will appeal to collectors of British military uniform and to those interested in Royal Army Medical Corps dress history.
