I thought those who collect these and those who admire them like I do might find it interesting that I walked into a Duluth Trading Company store and found a Mule. This was the first and only Duluth store I have ever been in and there to greet me 15 feet from the door was a Mule in unissued condition, beautiful nomenclature plate and all.
I had seen these in unissued condition about 35 years ago and had an opportunity to buy as many as six for $600.00 each from my wife's uncle who was a major surplus dealer and collector as well. I was returning from overseas enroute to my next assignment and had nowhere to keep one.
Anyway, I spent the next 20 minutes admiring it and explaining to everyone who would listen what they were used for and so forth. Spent about 90 seconds looking at the $70 firehose pants!
