R and I Training Smock Green

  • Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.

CLEM

Full Member
Jul 10, 2004
2,563
573
Stourbridge
Anyone know the history of these smocks, they look interesting if not firmly in the expensive side.

 

Attachments

  • 7FB84708-FF9C-4AD2-A5EC-791EEA2E453D.jpeg
    7FB84708-FF9C-4AD2-A5EC-791EEA2E453D.jpeg
    85.9 KB · Views: 14
Last edited:
Not too sure of the R and I bit, but it may refer to the RNLI instead?

We used to wear them on Army adventure training courses years ago - heavy canvas, perhaps slightly windproof but not waterproof, otherwise just rugged and heavy and uncomfortable.

Attached are 2 similar smocks from 1960s outdoor catalogues, so it may just have been the trendy design for mountain jackets in the day, although I suspect it was a military design as so much of that old surplus kit was used post-war for outdoor pursuits (according to these catalogues at any rate).
 

Attachments

  • 20210321_144549-1.jpg
    20210321_144549-1.jpg
    84.7 KB · Views: 14
  • 20210321_144557-1.jpg
    20210321_144557-1.jpg
    81.1 KB · Views: 19
  • 20210321_144624-1.jpg
    20210321_144624-1.jpg
    96.1 KB · Views: 16
  • 20210321_144637-1.jpg
    20210321_144637-1.jpg
    92.6 KB · Views: 16
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
Not too sure of the R and I bit, but it may refer to the RNLI instead?

We used to wear them on Army adventure training courses years ago - heavy canvas, perhaps slightly windproof but not waterproof, otherwise just rugged and heavy and uncomfortable.

Attached are 2 similar smocks from 1960s outdoor catalogues, so it may just have been the trendy design for mountain jackets in the day, although I suspect it was a military design as so much of that old surplus kit was used post-war for outdoor pursuits (according to these catalogues at any rate).
Thanks for that mate
 
Just googled these and they're £149 from the Silverman's website or £89 on eBay with the seller being Silverman's! Quite a difference!


Sent from Somerset using magic
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
Just googled these and they're £149 from the Silverman's website or £89 on eBay with the seller being Silverman's! Quite a difference!


Sent from Somerset using magic
It was the bay of evil that I spotted them quite a while ago. I’ve wondered if anyone knew anything about them. The design looks good I think.
 
It was the bay of evil that I spotted them quite a while ago. I’ve wondered if anyone knew anything about them. The design looks good I think.
I found the design ok, but the canvas fabric (it wasn't Ventile either) was not. If you can get a version in poly-cotton or gaberdine, then you should be ok!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
I found the design ok, but the canvas fabric (it wasn't Ventile either) was not. If you can get a version in poly-cotton or gaberdine, then you should be ok!
Over time it seems I’ve developed a bit of a smock fetish, to go along with my longstanding stove fetish lol
It’s a similar thing to my sleep system, it’s a relentless and never ending quest of improvement to get it just so lmao
 
Last edited:
Over time it seems I’ve developed a bit of a smock fetish, to go along with my longstanding stove fetish lol
It’s a similar thing to my sleep system, it’s a never ending quest of improvement to get it just so lmao
Haha! Glad to hear that. So I am not alone...One day I will have a massive sell-out or giveaway. Too many accumulated options over the years. Rucksacks are my weakness. Smocks a continual Siren-Song.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
Haha! Glad to hear that. So I am not alone...One day I will have a massive sell-out or giveaway. Too many accumulated options over the years. Rucksacks are my weakness. Smocks a continual Siren-Song.
As afflictions go there’s worse I spose but then it can be painful on the wallet lol
 
They look like what was known as a ‘Cadet Smock’, I’ve no idea what the R & I stands for, maybe someone will enlighten us?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
Back in the 70s, my Action Man had an orange version of this. It came with the climbing outfit and was accompanied by a fetching pair of brown corduroy breeches...
I had that too I had that and the Commando ha ha. Happy Days.
 
Last edited:
So after a bit of searching, the NSN comes back as Smock - Windproof. A lot of the searches came back with those words and Royal Marines. A google of "R&I" Training royal marines came up with this link:

It looks like R&I training is Resource and initiative training which looks to be what the marines called Adventure Training in the 90's. Are there any Marines knocking about who can confirm this?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
I don't know about the quality of the R&I smock but a good well made Gorka might be better made and suited. Probably cheaper too.

 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE