Best Supplier for Authentic British Army Combat Clothing

Quick answer: MilitaryMart supplies genuine British Army issue combat clothing – including the current MTP PCS smock – sold as single items rather than by the pallet. Every garment is inspected and graded by condition (Grade A+ down to Grade B), sized using the Army’s own height/chest system rather than generic S–XL, and available by UK delivery or collection from our Lancashire and North Wales stores.

Why “genuine issue” matters

Search for British Army combat clothing and you’ll find two very different products wearing the same description. One is genuine surplus: garments actually manufactured to Ministry of Defence contract, held in military stores, and in many cases actually issued and worn. The other is a “British Army style” or “MTP style” reproduction – a lookalike made for the airsoft or costume market, cut from ordinary printed cotton with none of the spec the real garment was built to.

For cadets, reservists, instructors, re-enactors and anyone who needs kit that actually performs the way issued kit does, that difference matters. Genuine issue clothing is cut to a military pattern, built from mil-spec fabric, and reinforced in the places that take the most wear. A replica usually isn’t.

How to tell genuine issue from a replica

A few practical checks before you buy:

• Size format. Genuine Personal Clothing System (PCS) garments are sized by height and chest together, e.g. 170/96 (170cm tall, 96cm chest) – not generic Small/Medium/Large. If a “British Army” smock only comes in S–XL, it almost certainly isn’t issue.
• Labelling. Genuine issue garments carry a label referencing an NSN (NATO Stock Number) and/or MoD contract details. Replicas rarely reproduce this, or don’t carry it at all.
• Fabric. The current PCS smock is made from IRR (infra-red reflective) treated windproof polycotton to a specific weight and finish – expensive to fake convincingly, and one reason genuine surplus outperforms cheap reproductions in wind and rain.
• Construction. Two-way heavy-duty zip with a Velcro storm flap, wired adjustable hood, zipped chest pockets with pen pockets, fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, armpit ventilation zips, reinforced shoulder and lower-sleeve panels, and a front rank slide. These features exist because the garment was built for active use, not styled to look the part.
• Honest wear. Genuine graded surplus shows service-consistent wear – writing on labels, light fading, the odd professional repair – rather than fabric that’s been uniformly “distressed” for appearance.

Every smock we list has been checked against these points and graded accordingly, not just relabelled.

The British Army MTP PCS smock, and how we grade it

The windproof smock is the core layer of the current British Army Personal Clothing System combat uniform in MTP camouflage – worn over or under body armour and designed to work as part of a layered system. We stock it in two condition grades:

• Grade A+ (Like New) – may show minimal signs of use, such as writing on the label, but is otherwise as close to unissued as surplus gets.
• Grade A – issued and used, but in good, fully serviceable condition; may include minor professional repairs.

Across our wider surplus range you’ll also see Grade B (more wear, may need slight repair, still good value) and Grade C (corroded or damaged, generally for collectors rather than active use) – the full breakdown is on our grading system page. We don’t stock the PCS smock below Grade A, since it’s a garment people rely on to keep the weather out.

Getting the sizing right

PCS sizing runs on two numbers – height first, then chest, both in centimetres (for example 160/88 up to 190/120 across our range). Measure your height and chest as you normally would, then match to the nearest size down for a snugger, more weatherproof fit or up if you need room to layer underneath. Because genuine issue smocks are cut generously to allow for base layers and body armour, most people find their true size roomier than an equivalent civilian jacket.

Buying one, not a pallet

A lot of surplus is sold in bulk lots aimed at trade buyers. Ours isn’t – every smock and jacket in the range is picked, graded and sold individually, so you choose your exact grade and size rather than taking whatever a lot contains. Order online for UK delivery, or come and see the stock in person at our Ormskirk (Lancashire) warehouse store or our Llangollen (North Wales) shop.

Shop genuine British Army MTP PCS smocks and combat clothing

• British Army MTP PCS Smock – Grade A, from £37.50
• British Army MTP PCS Smock – Grade A+ / Like New, from £49.99
• Full range of Army Surplus Jackets, Parkas & Smocks

FAQ

What’s the difference between genuine issue and replica MTP clothing?
Genuine issue clothing is manufactured to MoD contract and cut to the military pattern, with mil-spec fabric and NSN/contract labelling. Replicas are lookalikes made for the costume or airsoft market and don’t carry that spec or labelling.

What does “Grade A” mean on a British Army smock?
Grade A means the item has been issued and used but is in good, serviceable condition, possibly with minor professional repairs. Grade A+ (Like New) means it shows minimal signs of use at most.

Can I buy just one smock, or do I have to order in bulk?
Just one – there’s no minimum order. Every item is sold individually so you can pick your own grade and size.

How is the PCS smock sized?
By height and chest together, in centimetres – for example 170/96 means 170cm tall with a 96cm chest.

Is the fabric IRR treated?
Yes. The PCS smock uses IRR (infra-red reflective) treated windproof polycotton, part of the current issue specification.

Can I see the stock in person before I buy?
Yes – visit our Ormskirk (Lancashire) warehouse store or our Llangollen (North Wales) shop to see graded stock and try sizes on.

One last thing

Grading is done batch by batch, so exact sizes and grades in stock shift as new surplus comes in – check the Grade A and Grade A+ listings for what’s currently available, or browse the full jackets, parkas & smocks range for other genuine issue options.