Here are some photos of the early B-3 which I bought earlier in the year. This is a first for me, as I have never owned a pre-War undyed B-3! They are as rare as hens' teeth, especially in the condition of this one.
This beauty came from a collector in Japan. It was made in the 1937 fiscal year under the 37-2063-P contract. I do not know the precise size of the contract, but if the known size of A2 contracts for this period is any guide, between 1000 and 1500 would be a reasonable guess.
The fleece is remarkably soft and the undyed skin is strong and very supple. It is a really decent size 44 and can be worn, with care as she is an 80 year old lady!
The workmanship is excellent and it is annoying that the maker is unknown. Why they did not put their name on the contract label in 1936-7 really is a mystery. Perhaps the contract labels were made prior to the maker being confirmed.
The jacket really is in an amazing state of preservation, with all the stitching being strong and secure. There is wear to the right cuff, but the hem and the left cuff are pristine. The straps are perfect as are the buckles. I have photographed two ways of using the chest buckle and the United Carr collar snap.
The zip is a M-34 Talon, no.7 and works faultlessly.
Sadly I do not know to whom this B-3 was issued as the name strip has been removed and there are no other clues to ID him.
This is a truly remarkable early B-3 and I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story!
This beauty came from a collector in Japan. It was made in the 1937 fiscal year under the 37-2063-P contract. I do not know the precise size of the contract, but if the known size of A2 contracts for this period is any guide, between 1000 and 1500 would be a reasonable guess.
The fleece is remarkably soft and the undyed skin is strong and very supple. It is a really decent size 44 and can be worn, with care as she is an 80 year old lady!
The workmanship is excellent and it is annoying that the maker is unknown. Why they did not put their name on the contract label in 1936-7 really is a mystery. Perhaps the contract labels were made prior to the maker being confirmed.
The jacket really is in an amazing state of preservation, with all the stitching being strong and secure. There is wear to the right cuff, but the hem and the left cuff are pristine. The straps are perfect as are the buckles. I have photographed two ways of using the chest buckle and the United Carr collar snap.
The zip is a M-34 Talon, no.7 and works faultlessly.
Sadly I do not know to whom this B-3 was issued as the name strip has been removed and there are no other clues to ID him.
This is a truly remarkable early B-3 and I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story!
