Norwegian shirts

[badjez]

Can anyone provide details on the ubiquitous 'norgie' shirts.
They seem to have come into use in the 1990's, but as I have never seen any official authority for them to be demanded from Ordnance I presume they were private purchase, or bought with Regimental funds.

When, and why did they cease to be used?

Thanks, Stephen.

[Roy]

Hi Stephen,

I can't help much, other than to say I recall them being popular private purchase items (within the Paras) in the mid 1980's.

Cheerio,

Roy

[Tiger Pete]

Hi Stephen,

These were initially private purchase (I bought my first in 1989) but then were officially issued with CS95 (combat soldier 1995). Although, they were never as good as the original and not as popular once on issue!

KR,

Pete

[wardog]

Issue shirt in the early 1980s was rough cloth so if you could use a Norwegian shirt it was more comfortable. I think a smoother OD shirt came on issue in the mid 80s. This relates to combat kit issued in the RAF. I think you could get Norwegian Army shirts through the NAAFI. Dog handlers were allowed to use whatever kept us warm at night and no two handlers on a shift would be dressed exactly the same. Regards, Paul.

[wardog]

double post

[badjez]

Thanks all.

Roughly when did their use die out? Was it as result of the introduction of CS95 or that they became difficult to find (and expensive if you went to Silverman's)

Stephen.

[Hawthorn]

Stephen,

Not much help probably but they were still very much in use in 1992 when I left the Recce Platoon, 2nd Coldstream Guards, were still private purchase though.

Simon.

[oc14]

Originally Posted by badjez

Thanks all.

Roughly when did their use die out? Was it as result of the introduction of CS95 or that they became difficult to find (and expensive if you went to Silverman's)

Stephen.

Stephen
as others have noted, they were initially privately purchased items (from roughly mid 1980s onwards). They became an issue item when the CS95 Clothing System was introduced. When the PCS (Personal Clothing System) was introduced from around 2005 the good old fashioned Norgie was phased out/retired and was replaced with a thermal, micro fibre equivalent (lighter olive colour, longer tail flap, thumb loops and less robust zip). The Norgie still is and will remain a cold weather classic and can still be seen being sported by "old sweats" and those who know that it is superior to it's replacement !
Intrigued as to why you're asking ?

PL

[Mike Jackson]

Mine (last worn in a friend's Kubelwagen on New Year's Day) is labelled: SHIRT MANS FIELD EXTREME COLD WEATHER 8405-99-973-8803 SIZE108cm CT34A\866. Is this now a valuable collectors' item? Mike

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Mine (last worn in a friend's Kubelwagen on New Year's Day) is labelled: SHIRT MANS FIELD EXTREME COLD WEATHER 8405-99-973-8803 SIZE108cm CT34A\866. Is this now a valuable collectors' item? Mike

All sorts of these shirts are regularly sold on ebay.

For the Army, the Navy and the Airforce, plus many of the countries in NATO:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...orgie&_sacat=0

[54Bty]

Around 1980 I think it was the PRI shop supply of the Norgie shirts was exhausted and further supplies were unavailable, not sure why. Of course this did not stop those that already had them from wearing them.

Marc

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Mine (last worn in a friend's Kubelwagen on New Year's Day) is labelled: SHIRT MANS FIELD EXTREME COLD WEATHER 8405-99-973-8803 SIZE108cm CT34A\866. Is this now a valuable collectors' item? Mike

Mike,

Yes, but only if you are a valuable collector!!!

Tim

[grey_green_acorn]

From the Army Clothing Catalogue

Tim

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by wardog

Issue shirt in the early 1980s was rough cloth so if you could use a Norwegian shirt it was more comfortable. I think a smoother OD shirt came on issue in the mid 80s. This relates to combat kit issued in the RAF. I think you could get Norwegian Army shirts through the NAAFI. Dog handlers were allowed to use whatever kept us warm at night and no two handlers on a shift would be dressed exactly the same. Regards, Paul.

The mind boggles! Mike

[wardog]