AN-J-3A deal, 42

[Nickb123]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165762965197?hash=item26983e1ecd:g:3lkAAOSwefdjZyf7&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoIPsnUyeFYIFIeeAvNALfsztNP6L8C23l/TXZirSK2Zgx+rYI/lfci0AFHA6uPYB5CNacDZTT4h3KElj+Q5kP6fBLAnmRP41Oh5AsZqfMJ61W4l9i/mKzimo3R/jfrGI0d4ZLwYNHIglGuxFoRUhDVztwexiW5VdsyUS+Ne+nI4Pm97w8XL+ZLYzUvEF6X9aWWFditdshWkOLJxtDa65Xxg=|tkp:Bk9SR_CCouiKYQ

 

[Ritchy]

Nice jacket tank you for sharing

 

[Silver Surfer]

some oddities with this one. I not seen this type of talon zipper used on any m, an, or g series jacket. I could be wrong, but I believe that the zipper is a '50s civy talon. albeit, the jacket appears to be in very nice condition, and the replaced knit elements are in nice condition, as well.

 

[Chandler]

USN stencil under collar (according to description).

I think someone has a G-1 for sale.

 

[MikeyB-17]

I reckon the zip’s been done.

 

[Nickb123]

Replacement zip and knits, but how about that collar stencil? And it has the pencil pocket stitching.

 

[Cyril]

USN stencil under collar (according to description).

I think someone has a G-1 for sale.

right, for an AN this should be a "US" like below, but still a nice jacket...

 

[Nickb123]

Buyer accepted my offer!

*seller. where’s my coffee?

We’ll see about this one.

 

[Nickb123]

right, for an AN this should be a "US" like below, but still a nice jacket...

View attachment 85903

You could be right. However, something tells me it’s legit. See this LW Foster example: https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...er-an-j-3a-with-usn-on-the-back-collar.21756/

 

[Silver Surfer]

I went back to have a look, and saw that there are no threads in the stitch holes in the top back of the collar, even though there are threads in the stitch holes in the zig zag up down pattern. replaced fur glued on? just have to see when it is shown.

 

[Chandler]

You could be right. However, something tells me it’s legit. See this LW Foster example: https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...er-an-j-3a-with-usn-on-the-back-collar.21756/

That's an odd one. Spec label looks brand new (Aviators? Very Navy sort of spec -- was that a Foster's thing?). But even the leather looks more AN-like than the example in this thread.

 

[Nickb123]

I received an obituary for the pilot (RIP). A Navy Cross recipient.

I think this mystery deserves further inspection. I’ll let you know what I find.

 

[ausreenactor]

With some history the jacket has more appeal. Enjoy the acquisition.

 

[Nickb123]

With some history the jacket has more appeal. Enjoy the acquisition.

Hopefully the collar wasn’t fussed with. I’m now worried (what a worry) it may be a Foster 55J. If that’s the case it will probably be too small. I found a thread from years ago - I apparently owned a rather mint one that ran about 2 sizes small. I didn’t even know what a 55J14 was then as a different animal from a G-1 - apparently good condition ones aren’t common. When you forget what has come through your hands it’s certain the addiction has gone a bit haywire.

Anyhow the seller was nice. The gentleman who owned the jacket is a treasure.

 

[Nickb123]

Mystified. It arrived. Lovely thing, cut like an 55J14 would. stitched underarm grommets? Not an H and L Block, that I know. No tags anywhere inside pockets.

 

[Nickb123]

Collar has had some sort of botched surgery, I suspect the mouton is a replacement. goatskin feels more 50s than 40s. Any ideas what we have here?

 

[Ritchy]

Nice jacket !

 

[Chandler]

The stitching on the pen slot may be a clue?

 

[Nickb123]

The stitching on the pen slot may be a clue?

To my novice eye, it appears like an LW Foster pocket. But I don’t see any Fosters with stitched underarm grommet holes.

 

[Skyhawk]

This is a L.W Foster 55J14. Some had underarm eyelets that were embroidered. Like the one I have. Also that stencil is unmistakable.

The zipper is a replacement. The original would be a blackened Conmar with silver teeth.