B-3 shoulder tab replacement question

[Peter Graham]

At the minute I'm recovering from a broken ankle, the upside being that I'm getting round to all sorts of little projects that I've been putting off for ever ! One of these is replacing the leather rank tabs on my HLB B-3 which had been cut off sometime during it's history. I have some WW2 seal horsehide perfect for the job but I want to get it right. Could someone who owns an original B-3 please measure and tell me if the protruding tab is square or a slight rectangle ? I measured the stub remaining and it's 5cm across. I know the shape and size of the tabs may well vary between contracts but at least I know that one side is 5cm. Also, I assume that when the tab is folded up over the shoulder it's rough side down, yes ? Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Otter]

If it is any help on my 3 YO Eastman "house" B3 the length along the seam is 53mm and the tab sticks up above the edge of the seam tape by 45mm, so very slightly rectangular.

 

[Peter Graham]

Otter, thanks for taking the time to reply. Replaced the tabs tonight and the job's a good one. Once upon a time on this forum a lot of folk would have helped out with practical advice. Seems now that most people are more interested in the colour of knits on their Eastwear Kelso supergrain A-2's. Maybe the forum should be re-named Repro Leather Jackets ?

 

[dmar836]

I can measure if needed.
Dave

 

[Peter Graham]

Thanks Dave. That would be great. Ignore me guys. I'm just getting old and grumpy.

 

[dmar836]

Peter,
On my original RW the tabs are approx 2 3/16" wide and protrude about 2 1/16". They appear to start as square so that they appear shorter once sewn under the HH strip - and only under the first stitch line. At my age, always taking shrinkage into consideration, my guess is that they are nominally 2 1/4" square to start with.
I can take pics if needed.
Dave

 

[Peter Graham]

Many thanks Dave. I guess they varied between contracts and makers. The tabs on my HLB must have been about 2" square.

 

[dmar836]

I think mine shrank a bit.

 

[Phantomfixer]

Peter,

sorry didnt see this thread till tonight..I have a HLB B-3..all russet HH and shearling..the tabs on mine are 2 inches wide and 1.75 high..The jacket is trimmed in russet HH but the tabs are seal goat....assuming they used all the leather scraps available...

 

[Peter Graham]

Cheers buddy. I got the tabs made and fitted. Sounds like I got the size right. The arm facings and pocket on my HLB are goat and the seam tapes are horse. I used some scrap WW2 era seal horse for the tabs and it worked out fine.