R and I Training Smock Green

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CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
2,430
436
Stourbridge
Anyone know the history of these smocks, they look interesting if not firmly in the expensive side.

 

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BrewkitAndBasha

Tenderfoot
Feb 4, 2021
61
66
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
2,430
436
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
1,878
246
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
2,430
436
Stourbridge
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

Tenderfoot
Feb 4, 2021
61
66
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
2,430
436
Stourbridge
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

Tenderfoot
Feb 4, 2021
61
66
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
2,430
436
Stourbridge
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
2,286
286
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
2,430
436
Stourbridge
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
392
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
2,584
452
54
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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