US WWII M42 Paratrooper Pants

Airborne M42 Reproduction

These Mil-Tec trousers reproduce the M42 pants that US Airborne paratroopers wore during World War II, before the M1943 uniform replaced them later in the war. They follow the original cut and pocket layout in heavyweight khaki cotton. Reenactors, living-history units and collectors can wear them for full kit displays and field events without putting a rare original at risk.

Features

• 100% Cotton Heavyweight Fabric — The dense cotton twill gives the pants the weight and drape of wartime trousers and holds up to regular wear.
• Bellowed Cargo Pockets — Two large thigh pockets have pleated sides that expand outward, so they hold bulky items without pulling the leg tight.
• Snap-Closed Pocket Flaps — Each cargo pocket has a flap that fastens shut to keep contents from falling out.
• Pocket Tie Tapes — Long cloth tapes hang from the cargo pockets so you can tie a loaded pocket against your leg and stop it swinging.
• Five-Button Fly — The front closes with buttons rather than a zipper, as on the WWII originals.
• Adjustable Waist Tabs — Button tabs at the sides of the waistband let you take in the fit a little without a belt.
• Internal Suspender Buttons — Buttons inside the waistband accept period-style suspenders, which is how these trousers were worn in service.
• Original Pocket Layout — The pocket arrangement matches the M42 design for an accurate look in a WWII Airborne impression.

Cut To The 1942 Pattern

Mil-Tec builds these as a reproduction of the M42 jump trousers, not original government-issue kit. The leg is roomy, in keeping with the original pattern, and the button fly, side tabs and suspender buttons all follow the wartime layout. Paratroopers often had canvas reinforcement sewn over the pockets and knees of their M42s, so these pants make a good base if you want to add that detail yourself.