M-51/M-65 liner question (2024)

I've been in the same situation, recently. I purchased a NOS 1952 M-1951 field jacket last spring, size small. Since I've been searching for an M-1951 liner for it in the same size. Fortunately, I've recently been able to M-51 liners for it, with one being near mint. I also have a 1971 M-1965 field jacket and two 1970's M-65 liners.

Anyhow, this morning I tested the 1975 M-65 liner in the NOS M-1951 jacket and it does work! I hadn't tried before because I'd been told that it didn't work...that the M-65 liner wouldn't fit an M-51 field jacket. Anyhow, I wanted an M-51 liner for the jacket. The only issue, and it's minor or a non-issue, is that the M-51 jacket has two "extra" buttons, on each side, one in the collar area and one at the waist, where the M-65 liner has no buttons holes. Otherwise, the small size liner fits the small size jacket just fine all the way down to the two button in cuff tabs on each sleeve. Again, I used a 1975 dated M-65 liner. I don't think they changed over the years, after 1975, but I really have no idea.

So, the with the M-65 liner being superior to the M-51 liner as far as warmth and durability go, that's probably your best bet. On top of that, they're availability is far and above that of the M-51 liner, especially in size small. However, if you really want an M-51 liner, I have two extra here in size small. You can have one of those. Both are in solid condition, but one is a bit less used than the other. Both are hole, tear and repair free. The one that is in better condition has a 1952 date. I'd just ask you to pay shipping. God knows how much that would be. I could give you box dimensions and I figure the total weight of the package would be 2 to 2.5 lbs. I'm in NYC.

- Ian

^ You’re quite welcome and sure thing, Peter! Just let me know.

- Ian

Hi Ian,

I possess a June 1952 manufactured M-1951 field jacket in size: Small Regular. I've done an extensive online search for a M-1951 liner in new or good condition, but no luck so far. I've read your posting from October 2017 and I'd be grateful if you could guide me in the right direction to locate this hard-to-find liner.

Thanks for your help!

Tom

Tom,

The way I found mine was by looking weekly on eBay. I’d search “M-1951 liners” in general and, in militaria, under Korean War, I’d search “liner.” You could also just search “liner” in Militaria. My success came early fall once people began thinking of jackets, again. However, it’s pretty easy to search, at least, once a week. For some reason, they don’t seem to be as common as you’d expect, anymore, but when you do find one in size small, in good to NOS condition, it won’t cost a fortune. As I said, if you don’t find one before the fall, don’t fret as that’s likely to be your best bet.

- Ian

Ian,

Thanks for your input. I've been searching regularly on ebay and other sites regularly. No luck so far. I'll patiently search until fall as you mentioned.

By the way, would you know if a Size XS or M liner fits on nicely to a Size S field jacket? I've located XS and M, but not S.

Many thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated it.

Tom, that I don’t know. Unless it’s really inexpensive, I wouldn’t try the x-small. I wouldn’t bother with the medium at all, since the size small jacket is already relatively “roomy,” from my point of view.

Try to be patient and do all three of those searches religiously. I’d be quite surprised if a very nice small liner doesn’t show up by early fall. Right now is a bad time for jackets and any cold weather items, in general. Then again, you might get lucky with someone who is spring cleaning. Also, sometimes you’ll find a small M-1951 listed that has a nice liner. If the jacket isn’t expensive, this may be an avenue toward picking up a nice liner. You may be able to say keep the old jacket, I just want the liner. Or, you’ll have a spare jacket.

- Ian

Ian,

Thank you for your great insight. Since I've never tried the XS and M in person, it was hard to make an informed decision. I will definitely take your advice and search for the Size S religiously.

Sorry and I have another question. I found an affordable new M-65 liner in Size S. Specification: MIL-L-43466. Does the year of manufacture of the M-65 liner make a difference in terms of fit for a 1952 M-1951 field jacket? I read about the button small issue on your previous post.

Thank you so much!

Tom

You know, I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t not think so. Since I don’t believe that button placement ever changed on the inside of the M-65 jacket, any GI issue M-65 liner should work. The one I tried was a 1975 issue.

- Ian

Ian,

Got it, thank you!

I'll use the M-65 liner in the interim and find that elusive M-51 liner.

Best,
Tom

Sounds like a good plan, Tom! And, I’d bet you’ll find the proper liner soon enough.

- Ian

Hey All,

I realize this is a somewhat old thread at this point, but I just came across it yesterday while looking into M-51 liners and figured this is at least some place to start.

So, I have the shell to an M-51 field jacket, which I haven't confirmed, but I believe was issued to my Grandpa when he was a plane mechanic during the Korean War. Unfortunately it did not have a liner with it, and I was only able to on my own determine it is an M-51 from the liner buttons present. Most of the printed label is also faded away, only about 40% is readable and what can be read mostly concerns the care, not the size/issue/stock number or any other identifying information. The only specifics I can see are a day/month (I think related to manufacture date), and 37", which could indicate either a S or M size.

I am trying to do 2 things right now, one replace a broken zipper pull on it, and find a liner for it. I located a brass NOS CONMAR zipper and hope I can just move the pull over instead of remove and sew in a new zipper entirely (original was I think Al but I couldn't find anything identical). I have also found a few M size M-51 liners for sale, but I don't know for sure if it is indeed a M or possibly a S size jacket. I'm wondering if anyone that has one of either size, could provide a measurement on the jacket that I could use to help determine what size I have, so that I can find a proper size liner.

Anecdotally I am 6'0" and about 215lb, and I can wear the jacket over a few thick layers and it fits fine, so I am inclined to think it's a M but a size chart I found for the Rothco M-51 fishtail parka from an Army/Navy Surplus store indicates that they are oversized compared to modern jacket sizing, so I'd like to have a better gauge as to size (I'm assuming it's also possible that the fishtail parka sizes differently than just the field jacket).

Thanks!
Jerry