LANCASTER SASS SMOCKS - Would like to speak to past or present owners

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Sep 9, 2025
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Morecambe UK
Hi Bushcraft UK community,

I'm working on a university research project focusing on smocks manufactured by Lancaster SASS. I'm speaking to original users and current users of these smocks to find out what people have used them for over the years, and also to document the history of the company. If anyone here owns or has owned a smock from this manufacturer, and would consider telling me about it, please post here and I'll provide more details.

Thank you! Best, Katie
 
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Hello Katie,

Is there any way that you can make this more of a two sided interaction, where the forum will benefit from members sharing information with you?

In the past we have allowed some links to survey monkey for academic research, but not always and not for commercial research. Lisa Fenton demonstrated a nice way how to interact with the forum when she asked for help with a survey. Lisa was known for her contributions to teaching bushcraft already.

we also have a good search function, for instance this is for all threads with more than 10 replies that have “SASS Smock” in the title, excluding sales threads, in date order.

Best regards

Chris
 
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Still got mine (and just still fits bearing in mind I got mine in my mid 20's when I was still reasonably fit), custom made without a right hand chest pocket to allow easy mounting of shotgun\rifle.
 
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Hello Katie,

Is there any way that you can make this more of a two sided interaction, where the forum will benefit from members sharing information with you?

In the past we have allowed some links to survey monkey for academic research, but not always and not for commercial research. Lisa Fenton demonstrated a nice way how to interact with the forum when she asked for help with a survey. Lisa was known for her contributions to teaching bushcraft already.

we also have a good search function, for instance this is for all threads with more than 10 replies that have “SASS Smock” in the title, excluding sales threads, in date order.

Best regards

Chris
Hi Chris - thank you for your reply and advice regarding approaching this. This project is based around in-depth spoken interviews with garment owners, which is why my request is primarily seeking people who might be happy to speak about their garment on a one-to-one basis in more detail. However, I am open to members contributing their experiences in the thread too. I will add these details into the above post. Am I OK to share my University email address on this thread so that people can email me if they would be happy to be interviewed?

If the research is successfully published I would be very happy to share the final article on this forum thread.

Thanks also for the search guidance - I had run a search however didn't specify title only, and ended up with so many results it felt cleaner to start a specific thread rather than post in all of the existing ones. However I can look at the title search ones you've filters and post there when appropriate.

Thanks, best, Katie
Hello Katie,

Is there any way that you can make this more of a two sided interaction, where the forum will benefit from members sharing information with you?

In the past we have allowed some links to survey monkey for academic research, but not always and not for commercial research. Lisa Fenton demonstrated a nice way how to interact with the forum when she asked for help with a survey. Lisa was known for her contributions to teaching bushcraft already.

we also have a good search function, for instance this is for all threads with more than 10 replies that have “SASS Smock” in the title, excluding sales threads, in date order.

Best regards

Chris
 
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Hi Chris - thank you for your reply and advice regarding approaching this. This project is based around in-depth spoken interviews with garment owners, which is why my request is primarily seeking people who might be happy to speak about their garment on a one-to-one basis in more detail. However, I am open to members contributing their experiences in the thread too. If the research is successfully published I would be very happy to share the final article on this forum thread.

Thanks also for the search guidance - I had run a search however didn't specify title only, and ended up with so many results it felt cleaner to start a specific thread rather than post in all of the existing ones. However I can look at the title search ones you've filters and post there when appropriate.

Thanks, best, Katie
I should also have added, I normally include a flyer with my forum post which has images and more details about the project - however this forum wouldn't let me link it, perhaps because I'm a new member? If I am able to include the flyer too it might be helpful. Thanks again, best, Katie
 
More than anything I remember the good quality personal service from I believe man and wife. Every phone call was friendly and always give the best advice needed. Almost friends with them the amount of kit I bought there.

Of all the companies I bought from when serving these were by far the very best
 
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Hello Katie,
Not sure about the technical reason you couldn't get it to link, it could be that you are new and haven't had enough posts approved. I don't think there is a reason not to have a linked flyer.

We don't advise sharing email addresses on the open forum since its effectively sharing it with the entire internet, it is visible to any person or bot that scans the forum, not just to registered members. Your suggestion of being contacted by direct message would be better for you in that regard, but we don't have a rule prohibiting sharing emails in the open. If you decide to take the risk, just make a note next to it that we have talked first. That should stop any other moderator who has missed this conversation helpfully removing the address to protect your privacy :biggrin2:

If would be great if you can share anything you do get published.

Very best of luck!

Chris
 
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With regard to posting your email address, you could use a DuckDuckGo email address that'll send the emails to your university email address but strip out trackers.

 
I had one of their SAS Smocks in Egyptian cotton - similar to Ventile IIRC. I sold it eventually as it was too big (even though technically my size). The company were very good for custom builds, I had some extra plastic d rings added in the pockets for clipping gear to and you could get different fabrics if you wished. You could speak to them directly - very helpful.

A lot of military folk got their ‘kit carry’ smock which had about 20 pockets! When we wore DPM it was fairly relaxed about what smock / jacket you wore so lots bought private purchase smock’s especially for use in the field and when deployed.

A found another SASS SAS smock in olive recently in a charity shop (good find!). I think it’s gaberdine but I’m not sure. I’ll be keeping this one!
 
I recall their first play with Ventile. A kind member of this forum told me that they had found half a roll. I think it was Space Monkey but old age plays tricks. I do know they had enough fabric for three SAS smocks. I had one. Still have it. Lovely company, fantastic coat. I fondly recall the convesation around whether & where I indended to carry my handgun so that they could cut accordingly.
 
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Thanks so much everyone for posting in this thread - all of this is great and really interesting to me. As I'm a new member I can't send DMs yet (at least I'm guessing that is why!) however once I can I will DM you all with a bit more information to see if you would consider being interviewed about your garment(s) and memories of the company.
 

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