B-1 / B-2 / B-3 Jacket Succession Question

[Falcon_52]

I have a question that I have been pondering about for some time; I thought some of my fellow forum members could help me answer it. I know that the B-2 jacket was only manufactured from 1931 - 1934 when it was succeeded by the B-3, which then went on for another 10 years or so until the AN-J-4 came along. What about the B-1, though? How many years was it produced before the B-2 spec.?

From some research on the Fedora Lounge, there were 2 contracts in total for the B-1: both awarded to Switlik Parachute. This data was actually summarized from the "Full Gear" book over on the "Lounge." Would this imply that the B-1 was only made for a couple of years, say from 1929 - 1931?

I'm just fishing for further information from those who have more information/sources.

Thanks,

Noel

 

[Peter Graham]

What does a B-1 look like. Pics anyone ?

 

[Miles_Archer]

Like a B-2 but lined in shearling as opposed to pile.

 

[HDRnR]

You could probably shoot them an email, they are still in business and I think they have a museum. http://www.switlik.com/

 

[Falcon_52]

Thanks, HDRnR. That's a great idea.

 

[John Lever]

Photos from The Few courtesy of Bevan.

 

[Falcon_52]

I ended up writing an e-mail to Switlik to which they replied no, we don't have any information about the B-1 jacket and no, we don't have an example in our museum.

I guess I'll have to keep working on my time machine!

 

[zoomer]

Someone over at Hat Bar wrote to Switlik. They replied that they hadn't made B-1s "since WW2."

Out there in the real America, folks, this era is un-history. Nobody knows, nobody cares, it never even f*¢!!ing happened.

 

[John Lever]

Apparently there was an intermediate B3 type with zipped sleeves.

 

[Peter Graham]

Apparently there was an intermediate B3 type with zipped sleeves.

Interesting. I'd love to see an example.

 

[Falcon_52]

Apparently there was an intermediate B3 type with zipped sleeves.

That would be an interesting jacket. I've always wondered why the zippered sleeves disappeared with the B-3 spec. Maybe it was just down to cost - zippered sleeves are probably a lot more labor-intensive to produce than a simple sleeve.

Noel