Oasis's Liam Gallagher Get Into An M-1951

Oasis's Liam Gallagher Get Into An M-1951
Copyright fishtailparkas.com

When Liam was looking for the right parka to wear for their new video, guess who he came to.

Yep, you guessed it...:)....fishtailparkas.com

Liam is wearing a genuine and complete m-1951 in their lastest promo video for their up and coming album "stop the clocks".

Ahead of the release of Oasis’ first ever Best Of album ‘Stop The Clocks’ (out on November 20th) and the release of the previously announced ‘collectors’ EP of the same name on NOVEMBER 13th. Oasis have made a brand new promo video to accompany ACQUIESCE, which features on the EP the video has it first has its world wide online premiere on Yahoo Thursday 5th October.

The video was shot on location in London and Japan and features a range of Oasis look-a-likes - its a video not to be missed!!! The video also gets its first UK TV showing today at 11pm on ITV2.

You can see the Acquiesce video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6KPRZ8FdQs

Look out for my parka...:)....and more pics and video when I get it....:)...

Fishtailparkas.com

M-1951 Nasty Japanese Fakes Hit The Market !!!

Articles: M-1951 Nasty Japanese Fakes Hit The Market !!
Copyright fishtailparkas.com 2006...

With the consistently rising values and increasing rarity of Genuine M51 parkas, it was only a matter of time before reproductions hit the market and guess what? They are here.

Being knocked up in japanese and chinese sweatshops these grim looking fakes are often being peddled as genuine to unsuspecting buyers.

The majority are made in Japan by a company called union casual but these are clearly being marketed as "reproductions" to the ever growing japanese mod market., who don't seem to care about originality. Basically, they are doing nothing wrong as they are telling no one these are genuine US Army Issue M51's.

However, the problem arrises when tossers then attempt to resell this repro rubbish as genuine to unsuspecting buyers for a tidy sum. There are a number of german ebay sellers peddling this fake parka as genuine so be warned.

So how good a fake is it? Well so far I have actually found two main fakes knocking about. One, the above mentioned japanse job which is actually quite good except for the lining. The shell is the right colour (Olive Drab/Oxford Green Shade 107), the material is the right mix of cotton and other fabircs, the cut is good, the hood is good, the only give aways are the lack of a conmar zipper, instead we have a shiny brass looking thing and fishtail press studs are not present on the bottom fishtails. Apart from that and the fact that is looks brand new as oppose to 55 years old, it's frighteningly good. However, you will be pleased to hear that the "good" stops with the shell, the liner is way off using an entirely different setup to the original M51, instead using an elastic cuff padded liner similar to the N3B parkas. Imagine a later m65 nylon liner with elastic cuffs as oppose to the buttons and you are somewhere near.

Next up is the Germans of fishtailparkas.de with thier "streetstyle M51" which is a direct attempt at ripping off the M51. Now, the website in question does say that it is a repro however, according to some, they don't like to make it too clear, if you know what I mean. And as for the current ebay auctions being ran by german sellers (same people behind fishtailparkas.de) claiming to have constant stocks of Brand New M51's....you have to ask a few questions....Brand New AND 55 years old ??? a constant stock of one of the hardest to find items out there?????.....

Plus the pictures in question look startling similar to the very same pictures used by the japanse makers of their M51 repro ???

So having heard a few dark stories about these german "streetstyle" fakes, I went out of my way to obtain one. Sheesh, I should not have worried it's so obvsiouly fake its painful. Sadly it is not always so easy to tell just looking at a crappy digital photo being used on an ebay ad or a website so be careful. Look at the picture above, what do you think ? its a terrible fake, wrong in every respect, yet in the picture it dont look so bad does it !!!

This "streetstyle M51" as it gets called is the wrong colour, it's the wrong material, it's the wrong cut and I really aint sure what is worse, the pathetic attempt at a repro M51 Mohair Freeze Liner or the equally pathetic attempt at an M51 Shell. Bottom line, none of it is right and you might as well go to millets or any other high street shop and pick up anyone of the glut of "lookalike" fishtail parkas knocking around...

So be careful people, call the seller, speak to them, ask if you can see the parka and try it on so you can check it out yourself. If they have a genuine parka, they won't mind one bit if you ask to see it or try it one. Be careful on ebay especially and watch out for them germans.....they are a dodgy bunch, ask anyone living in coventry 50 years ago :)....

Or you can just give me a call, most of you know me by now and that I deal only in authentic US Military parkas, you can come and see me, I will put the kettle on and you can try your parka on. Simple.

Happy hunting.....

M1965 Fishtail Parka, birth of a modern classic..

M1965 Fishtail Parka: Also known as M65 Parka and M-1965 Parka

The M-1965 fishtail parka was developed in 1965 and the M simply stands for Military.

The M Date configuration is almost international in its use amongst military gear and thus most models will be defined by their date. i.e. M-1951 parka would be patented in 1951…

The M-65 parka was the updated version of the original M-51 fishtail parka which was itself the final conclusion of the M-1948 fishtail parka.

The M-65 varied from the M-51 mainly in hood attachment and the materials used.

Looking To Buy an M65 Parka? click here...




If you have read the Article©: M1951 Fishtail Parka, history of the vintage M51 parka.

You will be aware the we left the M-51 back in 1963, constructed in 3 parts and being mainly distinguished by its attached hood and shoulder epaulettes and heavy wool lining.

The M-65 simply dropped the unnecessary attached hood and buttoned an almost exact same model hood (albeit bigger) to the collar, instead of fumbling around buttoning to lining attachments and inner hood button holes.

After dropping the not so effective shoulder epaulettes too, the main changes were in the use of more modern materials in favor of wool and expensive wolf furs. Although, the very first models of the M-65 did use Wolf Fur on the hoods this was very quickly replaced by the rather unexciting white synthetic. Also the hood lining once wool, was now nylon/polyester mix.

The M-65 shell was a little thicker in materials and a slightly darker shade of Olive Drab or OD. The standard colour for ALL fishtail parkas was Olive Drab, Shade 107. AKA Oxford Green.

The next difference was the dropping of the heavy wool liners in favour of far lighter nylon polyester mix liners. This made the M65 parka warmer and far lighter than its heavy predecessor the M51 parka.

Many today favour the M1951 fishtail parka as the connoisseurs fine vintage however, the M1965 fishtail parka is by all accounts the better parka. Its warmer, its lighter and more durable than its forefather the M51 parka. And when re-fitted with Wolf Fur, it looks as it should.

Although not as rare or valuable as the M51 parka, the M65 is becoming increasingly hard to get hold of, a problem only compounded by the US militaries lack of sales since Nov 04. Consequently, the price of M65 parkas continues to rise along with its granddad the M51..

Expect to pay £80 to £170 ($160-$340) for a genuine complete M1965 parka, the higher end of the price scale being if want genuine Wolf Fur hood with it too.

As for seeking the M1948 parka, get a mortgage first !!!

No part of this article may be copied, transmitted, stored or used in anyway without the express permission of fishtailparkas.com

The Fishtail Parka, from war coat to fashion icon...

Copyright 2006 fishtailparkas.com


The fishtail parka started life in service to the US army in 1951 to help the American soldiers cope with the freezing conditions in the Korean War.

It was known as the M1951 parka and those wanting the full history on this please see Article©: M1951 Fishtail Parka, history of the vintage M51 parka.

However, in 1960’s Britain the Fishtail Parka took on a whole new life and came to represent an entire era, a lifestyle and a statement of intent.

You were a Mod.

By 1963 the mods were here, they had their own style, their own dress codes, their own transport and indeed their own language. In a fashion culture that changed on a weekly basis forcing mods to work overtime to keep up with the changes, everything from colour to length of jacket side vents, to width of trouser bottoms and style of shoes only one item of clothing managed to stay a constant throughout the life of Mod.

This was the Fishtail Parka (US Army only).

The truth is that exactly how this came about no one really knows, it’s as much a mystery and it is a phenomena. The influencing factors can readily be drawn, fishtail parkas were cheap, warm, relatively water proof and great for riding scooters in a pre-helmet era as one could tie the fur hood right up around your face. Plus, no one else was wearing them on the street and that was important to the mods.

However, no one really knows who started it and how it caught on so quickly. It’s not like anyone can say oh that was Dave, he got one in Whitechapel for a bob and we all thought; “fuck it!…. let’s all get one”.

Therefore, one is left thinking, why not any other warm coat of that time…why that parka and why ONLY that particular parka ??

Yes we all know mods wore other jackets and coats but only one coat kept its place as the first choice for scooter riding and only one coat became the most prolific symbol of Mod and that was the Fishtail Parka.

For me, it is not hard to imagine the early 60’s and a small group of early mods, or maybe even “Coffee Bar Cats” seeking out a warm coat and stumbling across a US Army M1951 Fishtail Parka in the local Army Stores. And seeing the price, seeing the quality, seeing the benefits of warmth, head protection and durability, and the fact that no one was wearing them, made the choice that this was the coat to wear.

They rode back into town adorned in their new gear, espousing the benefits of being warm and dry, the next day 4 more mods went back to that same army store and got themselves kitted out. Within a week, you a one gang of 12 mods all riding around wearing the same Fishtail Parkas.

The same processes took place as they chatted with the mod gang in the next block, and Mr Army Stores was having a good month with lots of new visitors. These early mods, being the trendsetters and likely to be looked up to by new and aspiring mods, were soon copied.

By 1964 Mod was in full swing and thousands of mods were now springing up all over London and all needed to complete their uniform.

And by 1965, Mr Army Stores had retired to a small condo in St Moritz and every mod in London had a M1951 Fishtail Parka…

No part of this article may be copied, transmitted, stored or used in anyway without the express permission of fishtailparkas.com . If you wish to use this article simply contact me.

The Mods: where did they come from ?

Copyright 2006 fishtailparkas.com


Far apart from the golden age of 1950's America, 1950's Britain was still on rations, and struggling to get over the devastation suffered in World War II.

However, for the British youth a new dawn was rising. Thanks to full employment and hire purchase and a new found freedom from National Service, the British youth was on their own two feet with money in their pocket and they wanted everybody to know about. A new movement known as the "teddy boys" was emerging across the UK influenced by American Rock ‘n’ Roll. As Bill Haley's cult movie "Rock Around The Clock" premiered in the Trocadero in London's Elephant and Castle, followed by outrage from the British establishment and joyous riots from the youths, the Ted movement was now alive and kicking.

Ever eager for a scoop, the press did not fail to capitalise on this new front page fodder. Soon the violence, and imminent danger that the Teddy Boys posed to British society was all over the front pages. From the prime minister to the archbishop, the British establishment was in turmoil as they watched their once dutiful youths turn into unruly wild cats. Whether much of this was by natural progression or greatly fuelled by the press, the outcome was a rough, dangerous youth movement that was loving every minute in the limelight and indeed acting up to it.

The teddy boys were here and soon the music makers and fashion retailers caught on to a new and untapped market. Very soon, commercial Rock’n’Roll was being slopped out and Teddy Boy fashions were on the high street and every kid wanted a quiff and a flick-knife. Thus, almost as quick as they had come, they were burnt out by their own famed notoriety and at now at odds with themselves for becoming everything they despised, just another high street fad, the Teds were gone.

By late 1950’s the original teddy boys were no more, broken up into various sub cultures, most fell by the wayside but two major groups remained and grew from the ruins of what was once the Teddy Boys to become the “Ton Up Boys” and the “Coffee Bar Cats”…

The “Ton Up Boys”, were those teddies that had held the motorcycle and American Rock’n’Roll as their foundations and now wore leather, big boots and rode British machines to and from various road side cafés.

The “Coffee Bar Cats” aspired to a more Latin look, and their neo Italian style appreciated modern jazz, ventless thin lapelled box suit jackets and they chose Italian scooters as the superior mode of transport for such well dressed Cats…It’s not hard to figure how these late 50’s early 60’s sub culture’s and indeed underground fashions grew into the Mods and Rockers of the mid 60’s.

The Coffee Bar Cats felt they were the modern movement and the Ton Up Boys represented all that was gone and should remain buried in a pile of dirty bikes and dirty leathers. Hence as they grew and needed to encompass all their new members, they eventually termed themselves the Modernists and the Mods were born.

The “Ton Up Boys”, enjoying the same growth in numbers and being known for their love of Rock ‘n Roll found themselves becoming the Rockers. Unsurprisingly the Rockers did not agree with the Modernist view of themselves as outdated and somehow lower class. They saw the Mods with their dandy dress, penchant for wearing eyeliner and popping pills at every opportunity as an insult to all that is British and macho.

The Rockers did not like the Mods and the Mods did not like the Rockers.

The lines were drawn…..

No part of this article may be copied, transmitted, stored or used in anyway without the express permission of fishtailparkas.com . If you wish to use this article simply contact me.

M1951 Fishtail Parka, history of the vintage M51 parka.

Copyright FishtailParkas.com 2007.

The M1951 Fishtail Parka. Also known as M51 Parka, M-1951 parka

The very first fishtail parka was the EX-48-1. This was the prototype for the M-48 Fishtail Parka. This prototype featured an attached wolf fur hoood, heavy cotton shell and detachable "fibre glass" based lining plus the major distinction was it had a pocket on the arm (much like the MA1 flying jacket sleeve pocket). The production version was the M-1948 and was the no expense spared parka of the same above specification but featuring fur pile/satin liner....

This model parka is extremely rare and fetch well over £1000 at auction in good condition and complete. (Any one seeking these should contact me as I can get them but be prepared to pay...!!!)

Looking to buy an M51 parka? click here...

The concept of the Fishtail Parka design was to offer flexible extreme cold weather protection through the detachability of all parts and the "fishtail" was designed to be tied around the legs for extra insulation. The fishtail parka rear drawstrings also benefited airborne divisions as when jumping out of planes it could be tied so not to flap up and about.

The first mass production of the fishtail parka was in 1951 and hence the M-1951 fishtail parka, commonly known as the M51 parka was born. The US Military now heading into Korea and needing large amounts of cold weather field gear could not afford to mass produce the heavy, expensive and high quality M-1948. Hence, the M-1951 was born. Quite simply, a cheaper cut down version of the M-48 was needed.

The first generation of these differed from the M1948 parka in that there was no sleeve pocket, the heavy fur pile and satin full fitting lining was replaced with detachable mohair or alpaca lining and the attached hood was unlined and without fur. Whereas the M-48 was a 2 peice construction, M-48 Shell and M-48 Liner, the M-51 was a 3 part contruction with M-51 Shell, M-51 Liner and detachable M-51 Wolf Fur Hood.

Another distinction of the M1951 fishtail parka were that it featured shoulder epaulettes that could be buttoned down to hold hats or other light items.

The 1st generation M1951 fishtail parka was made of the same heavier cotton (canvas appearence) material as the M-48 and featured a thick, heavy Alpaca liner. Once again, this proved expensive to produce and the liners were hard to dry in the field once wet. Hence, the heavier M-48 material was dropped in favour of the more commonly seen thinner, lighter (shiny) cotton and the alpaca was replaced by Mohair Wool very soon into producion (1952). This 2nd Generation M-1951 is the more common of the two.

Production of the M-1951 continued in the US up to 1956 when US production ceased. After this period M-51 production continued in US territory in the now defeated and occupided Germany up until 1958. Notable German manufacturers during this time include Albatross Franz Mayer. Franz Mayer being involved in the production of the Focker Wolfe. Another run of M-51's was made around 1963 for UK and Canadian Specification. After this time, no more M-51's were produced and fishtail parka saw no new events until 1965 when it was once again updated and remade as the M-1965 Fishtail parka.

All models of the M-1951 fishtail parka are highly sought after today and are prized by both modernist connoisseurs and militaria collectors alike. The M-51 complete with all 3 parts and in good condition command handsome sums these days and the values just keep rising. Good condition complete M-51 fetch a minimum of £350-450 ($700-$900) and Mint condition or even Unissued Never Worn fetch a whole lot more. For mint or unissued expect to pay anything from £600 up to £1000 for a perfect example.

News Flash: April 2007, A Mint complete M-51 fetched a record $956 at auction.

A word of warning, unissued M-51 kit is rarer than hens teeth and in 19 years of collecting and 6 years of dealing with the largest surplus dealers and collectors in the world today, I have seen a total of around 60 peices of geunine Unissued Kit and only 7 complete unissued parkas (all 3 parts).

So anyone claiming to have "bundles" of unissued M-51 stuff has either found the holy grail or is full of shit...I tend to go with the latter :)

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