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AN-J-3 questions

Abyss

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I'm starting to take an interest in AN-J-3 contract/pattern (? - not even sure it is correct to call them contracts since they were never officially issued) jackets. The gussets with bi-swing back and no mouton fur collar seems like a very nice combination. I've read the Navy jacket guide (many times, actually!) about this jacket and searched the forum for previous posts. It's a fascinating story and I still have some questions.

How many different manufacturers made an AN-J-3? I know of Monarch and Willis & Geiger. Were there any others?

It seems like examples have been found in both horse hide and goat hide. Does anyone know which was more common?

Which set of feature combination was the most common - internal wind flap/no epaulets, external wind flap/epaulets, or some other combo?

Thank you all for reading! I appreciate any insights the forum can provide.
 
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Abyss

Well-Known Member
I have one additional question.

Has anyone ever owned, seen, or have pictures of a Willis & Geiger AN-J-3 with the internal wind flap and no epaulets?
 

mulceber

Moderator
How many different manufacturers made an AN-J-3? I know of Monarch and Willis & Geiger. Were there any others?
Probably, but those are the two names I've heard.
It seems like examples have been found in both horse hide and goat hide. Does anyone know which was more common?
I've only ever seen/heard of goat being used.
Which set of feature combination was the most common - internal wind flap/no epaulets, external wind flap/epaulets, or some other combo?
Hard to say, but I've found it very difficult to find present-day pictures of anything but the W&G external storm flap/epaulets combination
 

flyincowboy

Well-Known Member
just got a few pics of ANJ3 with epaulet and windflap and love the concept. look more practical with the internal pocket B swing and the gussets..


ANJ 3.jpg
ANJ3  back.jpg
ANJ 3  epaulets + windflap.jpg

AN-J-3 official pic.jpg
 

33-1729

Well-Known Member
Here’s the one I reproduced a few yrs ago. It’s essentially a navy jacket without the fur collar.

A great looking jacket!

By far the best candidate of an AN-J-3 in the wild is in a photograph on The Flight Jacket Gallery from John Chapman (VintagePhoto1.jpg and below). Instructor jackets are typically not military issue, like the picture of the Boeing instructor in the same folder, but this one looks like the real deal. And as with a joint Army/Navy jacket it's not a total surprise this person is in the Army Air Force.

VintagePhoto1.jpg
 
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