French "New Gen" Combat Jacket, CCE, Surplus

Oh là là, what a magnifique combat jacket from the land of gourmet cooking! To be precise from their military police. No hood, enough pockets, and a camo pattern that works in most forested environments. Not abused either, so an awesome find at this price.

A little bit about the history. Gendarmerie i.e. the French military police and the French army have shared the same gear over the years. Both used the green F1 and F2, and the F2 Camo. However, when the army got the "FELIN", the Gendarmerie got the "New Generation" clothing. While they look very much the same, there are some differences.

Features

This jacket has two buttoned breast pockets, two vertical zippered breast pockets, and zippered pockets on both sleeves. If you like patches, you are in luck. Both sleeves and both sides of the chest have slots for hook and loop patches. On the right side of the chest, the slot is for a name tag, so you don’t have to ask the bouncer: Don’t you know who I am?

The jacket is closed with buttons, which is nothing unusual. However, the way the buttons are attached is very clever indeed. They are threaded on a narrow velcro strip that is then sewn on the jacket. This way the buttons will stay on no matter how violently you open and close the garment. This isn’t a brand new invention, the same concept was already used hundreds of years ago, However, it would be nice to see it become commonplace everywhere.

There is no hood or any adjustment at the hem. The garment doesn’t have any regular lining either but it does feature a mesh lining in the upper back area where you sweat the most. There are also ventilation holes in the backside under the flap, which is a pretty smart idea for keeping water from raining on your buttcrack. The cuffs have a snap fastener adjustment where you can choose either a relaxedly snug or very firm army-style fit.

Condition

Used French military surplus but in very good condition. Some signs of use are there but nothing major. Clean and intact.