crsnmorton
New Member
I recently acquired a jacket that is a real curiosity. I bought it off ebay from an outfit in Thailand who thought it might have been an RAF Irvin Jacket from WWII that had been converted into a D1 jacket for the USAAF in the 50's (a Dirvin?). Or maybe re-purposed as a civvy jacket. As soon as I unboxed the beast it was clear that it had indeed once been an Irvin and the one piece front panels and long length pegged it as a pre-war jacket. The still wonderful surface (very supple) and short nubby golden honey fleece supported this. It is also a large size, easily a modern 44 (6 in Irvin sizes?) which as you know is pretty rare in itself. If this jacket had been untouched and original, it would be worth $1,500 to $2,000. I paid with shipping about $290.
Now for the modifications: the collar has been cut back a little, maybe by an inch and then properly finished. The belt has been removed. Presumably frayed sleeve ends have been refinished with a different color/quality fleece. B3 style pockets have been added to the outside. An abomination you say, but wait. In truth, in the attempt to turn this jacket into a D1, its functionality has actually been improved. Original collars (though beautiful of line) can be a bit cumbersome. Some RAF pilots got into trouble for actually cutting off the entire collar (though I assume their punishment was tempered by how many Gerrys they had shot down.) Nobody likes those side-entry slash pockets but pockets are nice and B3 type exterior pockets at least fit in with the era.
Almost every repro Irvin I have ever tried suffered from either being too bulky, too tight in the shoulders, or not supple enough. The quality of the sheepskin on this jacket is amazing, short and stubby and with a classic honey color. The exterior finish is in remarkable shape and very supple. I am a guitar player and liken this jacket to a classic vintage guitar that has been heavily modified. A totally original 1954 Fender Stratocaster with honest wear is worth between $40,000 and $60,000. If it has been refinished and otherwise modified, the price drops to perhaps $8,000 to $12,000, though it still has the soul of a 54 Strat. This jacket is probably worth what I paid for it (though I suspect more), but it still has the soul of a pre-war Irvin.
Now for the modifications: the collar has been cut back a little, maybe by an inch and then properly finished. The belt has been removed. Presumably frayed sleeve ends have been refinished with a different color/quality fleece. B3 style pockets have been added to the outside. An abomination you say, but wait. In truth, in the attempt to turn this jacket into a D1, its functionality has actually been improved. Original collars (though beautiful of line) can be a bit cumbersome. Some RAF pilots got into trouble for actually cutting off the entire collar (though I assume their punishment was tempered by how many Gerrys they had shot down.) Nobody likes those side-entry slash pockets but pockets are nice and B3 type exterior pockets at least fit in with the era.
Almost every repro Irvin I have ever tried suffered from either being too bulky, too tight in the shoulders, or not supple enough. The quality of the sheepskin on this jacket is amazing, short and stubby and with a classic honey color. The exterior finish is in remarkable shape and very supple. I am a guitar player and liken this jacket to a classic vintage guitar that has been heavily modified. A totally original 1954 Fender Stratocaster with honest wear is worth between $40,000 and $60,000. If it has been refinished and otherwise modified, the price drops to perhaps $8,000 to $12,000, though it still has the soul of a 54 Strat. This jacket is probably worth what I paid for it (though I suspect more), but it still has the soul of a pre-war Irvin.