Persimmon
Well-Known Member
With the winter season finally making way for some warmer weather and blue-ish skies I thought I would post some pictures of what has been my go to jacket over these last autumn and winter months.
For anyone who doesn’t have a N-1 jacket, I would highly recommend one. Not only is it a cool looking jacket ( well James Dean and Paul Newman thought so ) it certainly keeps you warm.
There are several manufacturers producing repro’s so there will is plenty of choice out there and you can seek out a well worn original as well should you wish.
The jacket pictured is my second N-1 purchase. Originally I bought one off a fellow forum member (EmergencyIan) that was a Buzz Rickson jacket, originally produced in 2008 in a olive drab colour. Both are great jackets.
On my original version it has the USN stencil marking on the front. On this blue jacket the stencil marking is on the back of the jacket showing US NAVY.
( I know Charles on the HPA website in the States does offer this jacket without the stencil should customers want that ).
Much as I loved the Olive drab N-1, I always liked the look of the navy blue version which was the colour when original produced but was changed I understand to better enable camouflaging of the USN personnel both at sea and on landing.
I decided to get another N-1 in this colourway and I choose the Buzz Rickson version once more. ( Other manufacturers and their jackets are also available !! ).
Buzz Rickson offer two versions of the N-1. Their standard version and the heavier Alpaca Demotex version which this blue jacket is. Hence it’s a warm jacket to wear.
I have read that the Alpaca can be slightly scratchy but I have not encountered this when wearing it. It’s a comfortable jacket to wear.
The lining colour in vintage jackets can be found in both grey or brown. This heavier Buzz Rickson blue jacket version that I have has the brown lining which distinguishes it from the lighter weight standard version.
The jacket is a superbly detailed reproduction of the issued version, with the correct weight double-faced Jungle-Cloth outer shell and woven Alpaca/wool blended lining, and faithfully reproduced components such as the period correct zips, buttons and labels.
My blue jacket pictured has been through a 'sea water wash' process which gives to some ( although there are doubters on the process ) the authentic look and feel of a jacket used well over the years.
100% cotton reproduction Jungle-cloth shell
Authentic alpaca fur and wool lining
Reproduction 1942 Talon zip
Buttoned front wind flap
Hidden knitted ‘storm-cuffs
Draw string waist.
Two external slash hand warmer pockets.
USN stencil on rear.
I turned over the sleeves to slightly shorten the length ( the blue version is about an inch or so longer than my original drab jacket ) and this has the added benefit of the sleeves now matching to the collar. I saw this on an orginal USS Hornet picture - look at the sailor holding the camera on the left side.
If I could change anything it would be that this style of jacket had a inside pocket or two to allow me to store some items that can be safely tucked away.
The front two slash pockets are deep and store items OK but sometimes its good to put things well away from potential pickpockets. Still I guess that's what trouser pockets are for !
Whether it’s the khaki colour or the blue colour version if you are looking for a jacket to keep you warm and make you look fairly cool at the same time do have a look at getting a N-1.
For anyone who doesn’t have a N-1 jacket, I would highly recommend one. Not only is it a cool looking jacket ( well James Dean and Paul Newman thought so ) it certainly keeps you warm.
There are several manufacturers producing repro’s so there will is plenty of choice out there and you can seek out a well worn original as well should you wish.
The jacket pictured is my second N-1 purchase. Originally I bought one off a fellow forum member (EmergencyIan) that was a Buzz Rickson jacket, originally produced in 2008 in a olive drab colour. Both are great jackets.
On my original version it has the USN stencil marking on the front. On this blue jacket the stencil marking is on the back of the jacket showing US NAVY.
( I know Charles on the HPA website in the States does offer this jacket without the stencil should customers want that ).
Much as I loved the Olive drab N-1, I always liked the look of the navy blue version which was the colour when original produced but was changed I understand to better enable camouflaging of the USN personnel both at sea and on landing.
I decided to get another N-1 in this colourway and I choose the Buzz Rickson version once more. ( Other manufacturers and their jackets are also available !! ).
Buzz Rickson offer two versions of the N-1. Their standard version and the heavier Alpaca Demotex version which this blue jacket is. Hence it’s a warm jacket to wear.
I have read that the Alpaca can be slightly scratchy but I have not encountered this when wearing it. It’s a comfortable jacket to wear.
The lining colour in vintage jackets can be found in both grey or brown. This heavier Buzz Rickson blue jacket version that I have has the brown lining which distinguishes it from the lighter weight standard version.
The jacket is a superbly detailed reproduction of the issued version, with the correct weight double-faced Jungle-Cloth outer shell and woven Alpaca/wool blended lining, and faithfully reproduced components such as the period correct zips, buttons and labels.
My blue jacket pictured has been through a 'sea water wash' process which gives to some ( although there are doubters on the process ) the authentic look and feel of a jacket used well over the years.
100% cotton reproduction Jungle-cloth shell
Authentic alpaca fur and wool lining
Reproduction 1942 Talon zip
Buttoned front wind flap
Hidden knitted ‘storm-cuffs
Draw string waist.
Two external slash hand warmer pockets.
USN stencil on rear.
I turned over the sleeves to slightly shorten the length ( the blue version is about an inch or so longer than my original drab jacket ) and this has the added benefit of the sleeves now matching to the collar. I saw this on an orginal USS Hornet picture - look at the sailor holding the camera on the left side.
If I could change anything it would be that this style of jacket had a inside pocket or two to allow me to store some items that can be safely tucked away.
The front two slash pockets are deep and store items OK but sometimes its good to put things well away from potential pickpockets. Still I guess that's what trouser pockets are for !
Whether it’s the khaki colour or the blue colour version if you are looking for a jacket to keep you warm and make you look fairly cool at the same time do have a look at getting a N-1.
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