Found one minus the belt in a thrift store years ago. Collar looked like fox fur. Block of Japanese text on the inside flap. Right next to it in the thrift store was a smoking jacket that looks like it was made from an old Japanese blanket.   Funny you said it was unissued. I think there's a lot of unissued Japanese gear that makes it out to collectors.

Looks like a worn unmarked Blackinton to me.

When I attended Frankfurt American High School in Germany in the '50s, I visited the big German WW II bunker complex just west of Bad Nauheim. The Adlerhorst- Ziegenburg complex consisted of a castle on the crest of a hill with reinforced concrete bunkers buried underground. Next to the castle was an old- looking tower but inside there were concrete steps leading down to an underground steel door. The electric light switches also betrayed its "Medieval" origin. Part of the complex was disguised as old traditional Fachwerk buildings but under the facade they were thick concrete, reinforced with steel bars.   In the '50s, the vast bunker complex was unguarded so they could be explored, although all the big steel access doors had been welded shut to prevent entry into the interior. Some of the underground complex had been blown up after the war but a decision was made by the US military to simply seal up the majority of the bunkers and leave them as- is. I did find a ventilating shaft that had an access door to the bunker interior but I never had a chance to return and explore it. Visions of missed exotic souvenirs went round in my imagination for a long time.   This complex has an interesting history- built as a headquarters for Adolph Hitler and designed by Albert Speer, it served for various military functions and for high- ranking Nazi officials. The German Ardennes Offensive was directed from this underground bunker complex.   I pried a porcelain steel sign off the wall in one of the bunkers back in about 1956. It has the operating instructions for the ventilation system of the bunker. Apparently it was also designed to withstand a poison gas attack.   In the '60s the complex was taken over by the Bundeswehr as a supply depot and entrance to the whole complex was thence forbidden.

Had several. Most times the vets cut the cords off to wear as a winter coverall here. 

I was an Army Brat and we lived in Japan a few years after the end of the war.  We lived in an American housing area called Grant Heights in Narimasu. This location had originally been an airfield and our main street was the runway. In those days, second- hand shops were a treasure trove of nice things intermixed with junk. One thing I bought (I was in the 4th & 5th grade then) was Japanese flying suit.It was absolutely brand new and unissued.    The suit was made of a canvas- like material and lined with rabbit fur. There were electrical wires to provide heat when it was plugged in to an aircraft. It is long gone now but I've never seen another one like it.

Watson Morgan Bunten was seriously wounded at Shiloh. A Mine ball struck him in his right thigh but the ball was deflected away from his femur and artery by a leather coin purse containing a couple of silver dollars. The purse still exists. It has a hole in its leather and the silver dollars are bent like tacos. I inherited it from my grandmother Elsie Bunten Page of French Creek, WV and some years ago I donated it on indefinite loan to the West Virginia Wesleyan College library collection. It should be on display there in Buckhannon.

I just read a hand-written letter from my great-grandfather to one of his sisters in 1862- and transcribed it so it's easier to read.   He was Watson Morgan Bunten, from French Creek, WV but served in the 40th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh and again at Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga. Watson was First Sergeant and later promoted to a Lieutenant. The brother he refers to, James, died in the notorious Andersonville prison camp later in the War. One thing that struck me is his saying that they had not been paid since December 1861- almost a whole year!   Letter to Sarah November 24, 1862:   Dear Sister Sarah,   I received your kind letter a few days since and will scratch a few lines to you tonight as we will leave here soon. I was glad to hear your health was good also to hear the boys stood soldiering so well. I will write to James the first opportunity. O how I wish I could see them again. I am glad that Loomis is their Capt for I think him one of the best young men in the service. I wish I had him for my Capt. I have not been paid since last December and consequently am out of money and stamps so I shall mail this franked and send it as I believe you should rather pay three cents than not get a letter from your soldier brother. This is the second letter that I have had franked since I came out but I may have to get more if we are not paid soon. It will be bad on us to march without any money but I suppose we will be provided for in some way. Write soon and direct as you have been doing and they will follow up. Give my respects to all the friends and tell Uncle A I have not forgotten him. I must close this is the third letter that I have written tonight.   From your brother   Sarah Moore W M Bunten  

On January 4th, 1863, Sirene Bunten, a 15 year old girl from French Creek, WV began writing her diary. She was my great Aunt. Her diary offers a glimpse into rural life during the Civil War, with news of the War and of local happenings, as well as her thoughts about herself. Sirene's brother Birney, died of disease in camp and her brother Walter perished in the Hellhole of the notorious Andersonville prison. Another brother, Watson Morgan Bunten, was seriously wounded at the Battle of Shiloh (aka Pittsburgh Landing) and later wounded again at Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, but he survived to be reunited with his family in French Creek.  West Virginia had just joined the Union, the western mountain counties breaking away from the state of Virginia after it had seceded from the USA (Union) and joined the CSA (Confederacy). Here are only few of Sirene's representative diary entries:   “January 4, 1863. One year ago today what sorrow fell on us; my dear brother Birney (her brother) died at the hospital in Buckhannon. He belonged to Co E 3d Regt Va Vols. He was one of the many that gave his life to his country. Great excitement here now in the consequence of there being no soldiers on the Creek. Rumor says there is to be some sent up through here this week. I had a letter from James & Lorenzo this week, they are at Winchester now. Did not have any from Watson or Walter. (Her other two brothers).   January 26, 1863. Walter was at home last night, he could not stay but one night. He started for camp this morning, and we may not see him again for some time. William Curry has the smallpox, I think if it spreads we will have something besides war to think of. The war is still raging. It seems that we will know what war is after while, everything is swallowed up in the all absorbing topic war. I do hope we will hear that General McClellan has command of the army again. I think that the President (Lincoln) ought to know better than to keep changing the commanders so often. I guess he thinks he is right but I do not. I would like to see him and tell him about it.   July 14, 1863. Good news to day, our army has been victorious in Penn. (Gettysburg) The war will soon be over. Lee's army is badly cut up and good news comes in from every side, enough to make one rejoice I think. The Stars and Stripes are floating over Vicksburg as I hope it soon will be over the whole of the U. S. A. The glorious star spangled banner. Letters from Aunt Elsey, James, and Lorenzo. Some rain last night.   July 6, 1864. Oh who would have believed one week ago that Walter would be a prisoner. He was captured at Green Springs with twelve others of that Co. Oh it is too much to be true. To think my brother will have to suffer in a southern jail, perhaps never see the outside of it. Dreadful thought but we will hope for the best. December 14, 1864. Oh my dear journal, once again I am called upon to mourn the loss of a beloved brother. We heard to-day that Walter is dead, starved to death by a set of fiends. There may be some mistake, oh if I only knew, this agonizing suspense is worse than certainty. My brother my brother how can I give you up. Our father help us.   April 15, 1865. One short week ago and we were rejoicing over the fall of Richmond, now everything is changed. The nation is shrouded in mourning, for our president was this morning killed, shot dead. O what dreadful news it is to write, words fail me to express the deep sorrow that has fallen on our nation. To think that Abraham Lincoln our President, who has for four years governed us well and wisely, was deliberately shot this morning. Also, Sec. Seward died of sickness this morning. I can hardly realize this great loss it was so sudden.”   Sirene Bunten ended her diary in 1866 but made one last entry in 1901:   "The smell of apple blossoms seems to come to me when I have this book. I think it is because I used to write in a window near the apple trees and every spring the sweet perfume came into the rooms. The old home is inhabited by another family and scattered are the friends of youth."   Pretty cheeky for a teen age girl to want to tell the President (Abraham Lincoln) that he was wrong! I wonder how many 15 year olds these days could write as well or even be as aware of important happenings as this young girl in 1863?   This complete diary was transcribed and published by Stephen Cresswell some time ago.  

I'm sure you ment to say general ridgeway.

Were photos of the OD cape posted someplace other than this thread? cheers Armygas