Pajamas, Summer & Winter Pajama Sets, Coat, Summer & Winter + Pajama Sets, Trousers, Summer & Winter, Bath Robes, and Convalescent Suits
Grouping of WW2 Pajama Coats. From L to R: Pajama, Coat, Winter, Lubin-Weeker Co. Inc., dated December 14, 1942; Pajama, Coat, Summer, The Stuart Keith Mfg. Co., dated April 13,
1942; Pajama, Coat, Winter, Tutelman Shirt & Pajama Co., dated December 14, 1942.
Pajamas are loose, usually two-piece, lightweight or wool coats and trousers designed especially for sleeping. These garments were exclusively distributed to patients residing at Hospitals (only in the rear, if available, but mostly in use in the Zone of Interior). They were manufactured of cotton (summer) or flannel and wool material (winter) and were used to protect, save body warmth, provide comfort, serving as basic clothing for the patients.
Pajamas were already in use by the United States Medical Department during World War 1 and continued to be used in World War 2. The major color shades in use were; light gray-beige for the summer version, and light gray for the winter issue. Convalescent Suits were made of dark blue and maroon cotton, while Bath Robes were manufactured out of heavy or lightweight maroon or blue corduroy fabric.
Illustration of Robe, Bath, Medium. Manufacturer is Progressive Coat & Apron Mfg. Co., dated 31 October 1941. It is a long coat made out of lightweight maroon
corduroy fabric (probably a summer version). It has a round and open collar that closes with 2 straps, 1 breast pocket (left) with white embroidery
(MD over USA), 2 slightly slanted hip pockets, a waistbelt, and 2 long sleeves.
The article uses as basic references Medical Department Supply Catalogs issued by the War Department. It must be noted that individual Pajamas (Coats & Trousers), Pajama Sets (Coats & Trousers), Bath Robes, and Convalescent Suits are listed under different classifications: Class 7 and Class 9.
Medical Supply Catalog – War Department – November 1, 1942
Class 7 – 71500 – 71800 range: Hospital Linen and Bedding (under overall Heading, Class 7 Items)
Item 71630 – Pajama, Coat, Summer: (large, medium, small)
Item 71640 – Pajama, Coat, Winter: (large, medium, small)
Item 71650 – Pajama, Trousers, Summer: (large, medium, small)
Item 71660 – Pajama, Trousers, Winter: (large, medium, small)
Illustration of Pajama, Coat, Summer, Type 1, Medium-Large, with white ornamental flat braid and round buttons. Although manufactured by The Stuart Keith Mfg. Co. and dated
April 13, 1942, the garment is based on Federal Specification No. DDD-P-76, dated 17 December 1936. The coat is made out of cotton, it has a round collar, is
adorned with white gimp, closes with 4 white cord buttons, has 1 breast pocket (left), and 2 long sleeves. It can be worn either tucked into the corresponding trousers or
worn loosely over them.
Another Item is listed under the same heading:
Item 71710 – Robe, Bath
Following Items are listed under the same heading:
Item 71740 – Suit, Convalescent, Coat: (large, medium, small)
Item 71750 – Suit, Convalescent, Trousers: (large, medium, small)
Illustration of Suit, Convalescent, Coat, Medium, manufactured 6 July 1945. The garment is based on Specification No. P.Q.D. – 500-A, Pattern Date January 17, 1945. It is a
short jacket type of coat made out of dark blue cotton. It has a buttoned collar, closes with 5 flat black removable metal buttons, has 1 breast pocket (left) with white
embroidery (USA over MD), 2 slant hip pockets, a wide integrated waistbelt with 2 extra buttons (almost like an Ike jacket), and 2 long sleeves. The jacket is a waistlength
type. The Coat is worn together with the corresponding Suit, Convalescent Trousers. These suits came in either maroon or dark blue cotton.
Class 9 – 97450-97930 range: Unit Assemblages and Component Parts (under overall Heading, Class 9: Field Equipment and Supplies)
Item 97791 – Pajama Set, Coat, Summer: 50 medium, 30 large, and 20 small of 71630 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97792 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Summer: 50 medium, 30 large, and 20 small of 71650 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97793 – Pajama Set, Coat, Winter: 30 medium, 20 large, and 10 small of 71640 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97794 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Winter: 30 medium, 20 large, and 10 small of 71660 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Illustration of Pajama, Coat, Winter, Large. Manufacturer is The Nite Kraft Corp., dated November 16, 1942. The design is based on Specification A.M.P.O 139-D and is made out
of flannel/wool, it has a round collar, closes with 4 white plastic buttons, has 1 breast pocket (left), and 2 long sleeves. It can be worn either tucked into the corresponding
trousers or worn loosely over them.
Medical Department Supply Catalog – War Department, June 1, 1943
Class 7 – 71500 – 71800 range: Linen and Bedding (under overall Heading, Class 7: Hospital Equipment and Supplies)
Item 71630 – Pajama, Coat, Summer: (large, medium, small)
Item 71640 – Pajama, Coat, Winter: (large, medium, small)
Item 71650 – Pajama, Trousers, Summer: (large, medium, small)
Item 71660 – Pajama, Trousers, Winter: (large, medium, small)
Item 71710 – Robe, Bath
The following change was introduced May 1943 (to become effective 10 May 1944):
Item 71708 – Robe, Bath, Summer
Following Items were kept listed under the same heading:
Item 71740 – Suit, Convalescent, Coat: (large, medium, small)
Item 71750 – Suit, Convalescent, Trousers: (large, medium, small)
Class 9 – 97450-97930 range: Unit Assemblages and Component Parts (under overall Heading, Class 9: Field Equipment and Supplies)
Item 97791 – Pajama Set, Coat, Summer: 50 medium, 30 large, and 20 small of 71630 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97792 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Summer: 50 medium, 30 large, and 20 small of 71650 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97793 – Pajama Set, Coat, Winter: 30 medium, 20 large, and 10 small of 71640 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Item 97794 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Winter: 30 medium, 20 large, and 10 small of 71660 packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (97470)
Illustration of Robe, Bath, Medium. This is a Winter version manufactured by Sigmund Eisner Co., dated January 26, 1945, based on Specification A.M.P.O. No. 300-M, dated April
3, 1944. It is a long coat made out of dark blue corduroy fabric (a winter version). It has a round and open collar, 1 breast pocket (left) with light blue embroidery (M.D.
over U.S.A.), 2 hip pockets, a waistbelt, and 2 long sleeves.
Medical Supply Catalog – War Department – 1 March 1944
Class 7 – 7151000 – 7178000 range: Linen and Bedding (under overall Heading, Class 7: Hospital Equipment and Supplies)
Item 7163005 – Pajama, Coat, Summer, Large
Item 7163010 – Pajama, Coat, Summer, Medium
Item 7164005 – Pajama, Coat, Winter, Large
Item 7164010 – Pajama, Coat, Winter, Medium
Item 7165005 – Pajama, Trousers, Summer, Large
Item 7165010 – Pajama, Trousers, Summer, Medium
Item 7166005 – Pajama, Trousers, Winter, Large
Item 7166010 – Pajama, Trousers, Winter, Medium
Grouping of two different types of Pajama, Trousers, Winter, Medium-Large, Type 2, and Large, Type 2. The top pair is made of flannel/wool and was manufactured by Progressive
Coat & Apron Mfg. Co., dated July 7, 1942. They have an integrated waistbelt, and a fly with 4 small white plastic buttons. The bottom pair of Trousers was made by William
H. Noggle & Sons Inc., dated December 14, 1942, and has a partially loose and integrated waistbelt and a buttonless fly.
New Items were introduced under the same heading:
Item 7170805 – Robe, Bath, Summer, Large
Item 7170810 – Robe, Bath, Summer, Medium
Item 7171005 – Robe, Bath, Winter, Large
Item 7171010 – Robe, Bath, Winter, Medium
Other Items were also listed under the same heading:
Item 7174005 – Suit, Convalescent, Coat, Large
Item 7174010 – Suit, Convalescent, Coat, Medium
Item 7175005 – Suit, Convalescent, Trousers, Large
Item 7175010 – Suit, Convalescent, Trousers, Medium
Class 9 – 9745000-9794800 range: Unit Assemblages and Component Parts (under overall Heading, Class 9: Field Equipment and Supplies)
Item 9779100 – Pajama Set, Coat, Summer: 60 medium (7163010) and 40 large (7163005) packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty: Canvas (9747000)
Item 9779200 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Summer: 60 medium (7165010) and 40 large (7165005) packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty: Canvas (9747000)
Item 9779300 – Pajama Set, Coat, Winter: 45 medium (7164010) and 15 large (7164005) packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty: Canvas (9747000)
Item 9779400 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Winter: 45 medium (7166010) and 15 large (7166005) packed in Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty: Canvas (9747000)
Sample of a label as used for a Robe, Bath.
Remarks:
Summer Pajamas were made out of light cotton in gray-beige color, with early types still being adorned with flat white gimp and white braid buttons, while Winter Pajamas were manufactured in Flannel and Wool, in a light gray color shade. Later versions no longer possessed ornamental flat braid and buttons. They were instead all provided with plain white plastic buttons.
Left: Sample of a label as used for a Pajama, Coat, Summer.
Right: Sample of a label as used for Pajama, Trousers, Winter.
Bath Robes were made out of corduroy cloth (cotton pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales) and existed both in maroon and dark blue color shades.
Convalescent Suits were manufactured out of dark blue or maroon cotton cloth, and closed with flat black metal (removable) buttons.
Sample of a label as used for a pair of Convalescent Suit Trousers. Note the label is sewn into the waistband of the garment.
Some of the wartime manufacturers were: William H. Noggle & Sons Inc.; Puritan Mills Inc.; Lubin Weeker Co. Inc.; Progressive Coat & Apron Mfg. Co.; Tutelman Shirt & Pajama Co.; The Stuart Keith Mfg. Co.; Sammax Drapery Mfg. Co.; Charles Rabin & Co. Inc., The Nite Kraft Corp.; Sigmund Eisner Co.; Samuel Elman Co. Inc. …
Sample of a label as used for a Suit, Convalescent, Coat.