Belgian Brushstroke is the "Merc Life" pattern, seen from the jungles of Congo to the silver screens of Hollywood. First adopted in 1952, the "Moon and Balls" or "Congo" pattern Brushstroke was first issued by the Belgian Army, taking significant inspiration from the colour schemes of the British Army Denison Smocks during the Second World War. The pattern was widely utilized by Belgian airborne, commando, and marine units well into the 1970s. Perhaps more notoriously, it was utilized by various Mercenary and Gendarme units of the Congolese Army during the Congo Crisis of the 1960s. It features an incredible combination of "half moon" brushstrokes of overlapping green and brown shapes on khaki, which likely significantly developed the early development of the later Rhodesian Brushstroke pattern.
We’re proud to be replicating the pattern as a 1-to-1 scale copy of an original mint condition bolt of fabric manufactred by ABL Raka in the 1950s. We are the only company accurately providing the pattern exactly as it was worn during the Katanga Rebellion and Congo Crisis.
Sizing Guide:
Waist Size
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
Inseam
30.5
31
31.5
32.5
33
33.5
34.5
Full length
42.5
43
43.5
45
45.5
46.5
47
