14AF SMSRet
Member
Thanks for the tips, Burt. I'll definitely do some maintenance on it.
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Getting Back to Our Roots . ….. The USN Pritzker & Sons 55J14. Size 46.
- Thread starter B-Man2
- Start date
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
John
Thanks for posting . Looking forward to seeing any original USN jackets .
Dany McDonald
Well-Known Member
Burt, is the white USN (collar) original to the jacket?
ButteMT61
Well-Known Member
OK, here she is.
I wear it on the motorcycle and when we all go to any military/war movies...
I should continue to thank @airfrogusmc for selling me this 8 years ago!
IF 7823 C
Like that tag? It's a legit 48, likely '61-'63.I wear it on the motorcycle and when we all go to any military/war movies...
I should continue to thank @airfrogusmc for selling me this 8 years ago!
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Hi Dany
There was a faint shadow of a white USN on the collar when it arrived . As part of the restoration Dave repainted over the original USN. In time and with wear the newness of the paint will flake off and wear down .
Lorenzo_l
Well-Known Member
I am loving this thread. Thanks for dusting off the originals, Burt. This is in great part what this forum is all about!
I few pictures of my original Pritzker & Sons 55J14, pretty much like your own, and which I got from @Silver Surfer:
The jacket is in mint condition and is an occasional wearer. All parts, except the knitted cuffs, which I understand were period-replaced, are original to the jacket.
The back panel:
The back of the collar:
The name tag:
A detail of one of the pockets. Notice the grain:
The Conmar blackened zipper with what I guess is the original leather pull:
And the knitted cuffs. Whoever replaced them seems to have done a good job:
A fit pic:
Of my G1s, this is my pride and joy. I just need an original M442A to round off the collection : /
I also have an original Pritzker & Sons J7823, also in very good condition and that used to be in Vic's stable too. Despite it being an early 1950s jacket (circa 1953) and produced not too long after the 195155J14 pictured above, it's a much different jacket regarding the goatskin and fit. I'll be posting pictures of that jacket later.
I few pictures of my original Pritzker & Sons 55J14, pretty much like your own, and which I got from @Silver Surfer:
The jacket is in mint condition and is an occasional wearer. All parts, except the knitted cuffs, which I understand were period-replaced, are original to the jacket.
The back panel:
The back of the collar:
The name tag:
A detail of one of the pockets. Notice the grain:
The Conmar blackened zipper with what I guess is the original leather pull:
And the knitted cuffs. Whoever replaced them seems to have done a good job:
A fit pic:
Of my G1s, this is my pride and joy. I just need an original M442A to round off the collection : /
I also have an original Pritzker & Sons J7823, also in very good condition and that used to be in Vic's stable too. Despite it being an early 1950s jacket (circa 1953) and produced not too long after the 195155J14 pictured above, it's a much different jacket regarding the goatskin and fit. I'll be posting pictures of that jacket later.
Last edited:
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Lorenzo
That’s a “keeper for life “ . Love everything about this jacket from the mouton collar to the blackened Conmar zipper. Thanks for helping to keep the “Vintage “ part of VLJ alive … !
Dumpster D
Well-Known Member
Did they make them like that or is that a mod? If it's a mod, to what purpose?
Lorenzo_l
Well-Known Member
Thanks go to you, Burt. As for the jacket, and with most, if not all, originals, I am just a temporary caretaker, as most previous owners would have have been.
Lorenzo_l
Well-Known Member
They were made like that. My understanding is that blackened zippers would reduce reflections that would give away a downed airman's position.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
They were made that way . Never really knew why.
Dumpster D
Well-Known Member
Must be a reason, whether it's because of night flying or something? I couldn't say for certain, but I'm sure it was a thing.
The earlier N-2B's/Parkas I've seen had blackout Zips on the hood and Main zip, Presumably they were flying B-52's and stuff like that.
Air force and Army don't do stuff for no good reason.
AH-1W
New Member
I have a similar Pritzker jacket that needs the same sort of restoration including knits, zipper, and lining.
Attachments
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Are you considering getting it restored ?
Dumpster D
Well-Known Member
Are you considering keeping it original?
