R and I Training Smock Green

CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
2,460
462
Stourbridge
Anyone know the history of these smocks, they look interesting if not firmly in the expensive side.

 

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BrewkitAndBasha

Full Member
Feb 4, 2021
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Far East
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).
 

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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
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Stourbridge
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
 

swotty

Full Member
Apr 25, 2009
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Somerset
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
 
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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
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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.
 

BrewkitAndBasha

Full Member
Feb 4, 2021
91
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Far East
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!
 
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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
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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
 
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BrewkitAndBasha

Full Member
Feb 4, 2021
91
71
Far East
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.
 
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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
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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
 

Dogoak

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 24, 2009
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Cairngorms
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?
 
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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
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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.
 
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Oliver G

Full Member
Sep 15, 2012
393
286
Ravenstone, Leicestershire
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?
 
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SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
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Perthshire
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.

 
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