SWEDISH 1940S DARK GREY THREE PIECE SUIT BY COLLIJNS. SIZE CA EU 46-48 (US/UK 36-38)

DESCRIPTION

This three-piece suit is of Swedish origin and was made by Collijns, a legendary Swedish ready-to-wear manufacturer. It was most likely made sometime in the latter half of the 1940s, or possibly in the very early 1950s. It was originally sold at Carl A. Olsson, a menswear shop in Gävle. The cloth is dark grey with an even, uniform colour.

The jacket is single-breasted and fastens with three buttons. It has horizontal front pockets with flaps and a breast pocket. There is a buttonhole in the left lapel. The back is straight and closed, with no vents. It is fully lined and has three internal pockets – one large pocket on each side, plus a smaller pocket on the left.

The waistcoat has four front pockets, two at chest level and two lower down. It is single-breasted and fastens with six buttons. There is an adjustable buckle at the back to alter the fit.

The trousers have double pleats, slightly slanted front pockets and a button fly. They feature what is known as a belt tunnel, a construction in which a belt, when worn, is partially concealed within a channel running along the waistband. This is a very common feature of Swedish trousers from the 1940s. There are buttons for braces on the inside of the waistband. The hems are turned up.

As for the condition, it is good in the sense that there is no significant damage to the cloth. There is, however, some discolouration, mainly to the linings of the jacket and waistcoat. The trousers also show slight signs of shine from wear. There is some discolouration to the trouser lining as well. Please study the photographs and form your own impression of the condition.

SIZE

The suit falls somewhere between a modern EU 46 (US/UK 36) and EU 48 (US/UK 38). The jacket's chest measurement is closer to the smaller of the two sizes, whereas the trousers' waist measurement corresponds to the larger. In terms of length, the suit is also generally closer to the larger size, both in jacket length and trouser length. Please scroll down for exact measurements and seam allowances.

JACKET

Chest (A) : 52 cm

Waist (B) : 48,5 cm 

Sleeves (C) : 67 cm

Shoulders (D) : 44,5 cm

Total length (E) : 78 cm (75,5 cm measured from neck seam)

WAISTCOAT

Chest (A) : 48,5 cm

Waist (B) : 45,5 cm (with adjusters fully open)

Shoulders (C) : 26 cm

Total length (D) : 51 cm

TROUSERS

Waist (A) : 42 cm

Length (B) : 107 cm 

Inseam (C) : 80 cm 

Cuff width (D) : 23,5 cm

Seam allowance trousers waist: 1 cm 

Seam allowance trousers length: cm 1,5 + 9 cm if the cuff is removed.