Czech Army M97 Sweater

Czech M97 Service Sweater

The M97 is the V-neck service sweater issued to the Czech Army. Soldiers wore it as a warm mid layer under a field jacket or on its own around camp and on duty. The heavy ribbed knit holds warmth and still stretches with you, and woven patches at the shoulders and elbows take the wear where rifle slings, pack straps and leaning on hard surfaces do the most damage. It suits cold-weather layering, collectors of Czech kit and reenactors who want issued gear.

Features

• Heavy Ribbed Knit — Vertical ribbing runs the full length of the body and sleeves, giving a thick, warm fabric that flexes as you move.
• V-Neck Collar — The ribbed V-neck sits cleanly over a shirt collar or T-shirt for wear under a jacket.
• Reinforced Shoulder Patches — Panels of heavy woven fabric cover both shoulders to resist abrasion from slings and pack straps.
• Reinforced Elbow Patches — Matching woven patches on each forearm and elbow protect the knit where it rubs most.
• Buttoned Epaulettes — Shoulder straps closed with a button, originally there to carry rank slides on the military uniform.
• Flapped Chest Pocket — A woven pocket with a covering flap on the left chest holds a notebook, pen or ID.
• Czech Flag Sleeve Emblem — The national flag appears on the upper left sleeve, marking the sweater as Czech Army issue.
• Ribbed Cuffs And Waistband — Close-knit bands at the wrists and hem keep the sweater in place and help hold body heat in.
• Olive Drab Color — The standard military green matches most field jackets and surplus pants.

Genuine Czech Issue

This sweater was made for and issued to the Czech armed forces. It is government-contract kit with the flag emblem, epaulettes and reinforcement panels of the original pattern. The issue sweater was designed as a layering piece for duty and outdoor wear, so it is cut with room to go over a shirt and under a field coat. Buyers who want the real Czech service item rather than a civilian sweater get original provenance and the build standard of military clothing.