B2 pocket

[buzzthetower]

It's my belief that the first jacket posted by John Lever is a civilian model of a B-1 jacket, not a B-2, and it was most likely made by Werber Leather Coat Co. for the aviation catalog market. Note the strong variations between this jacket and military examples. The pocket flap might be accurate to military examples, but it might not. Many other details deviate from military examples. Being a civilian jacket may explain why the pocket was not removed.

Index of /switlik_b1_jacket/Extras_Garment_Supply

Extras Garment Supply in Japan has a wonderful IG account worth following. Their photographs are superb:

https://www.instagram.com/extrasgarmentsupply/

 

[Enigma1938]

That one is interesting, seems Buzz Rickson borrowed their B-2 pleated pocket design (first jacket batch) from that early flight suit.

I knew all that pictures already. I hoped there would be one with a survived pocket but there's still nothing...

 

[John Lever]

It's my belief that the first jacket posted by John Lever is a civilian model of a B-1 jacket, not a B-2, and it was most likely made by Werber Leather Coat Co. for the aviation catalog market. Note the strong variations between this jacket and military examples. The pocket flap might be accurate to military examples, but it might not. Many other details deviate from military examples. Being a civilian jacket may explain why the pocket was not removed.

Index of /switlik_b1_jacket/Extras_Garment_Supply

Extras Garment Supply in Japan has a wonderful IG account worth following. Their photographs are superb:

https://www.instagram.com/extrasgarmentsupply/

John,
That pocket also looks significantly bigger than on the military versions and as stated earlier the collar closure is different.

 

[John Lever]

The B-1 and the B-2 share the same pocket design. As far as I know the biggest difference between those jackets ist the lining. While the B-1 ist lined with sheepskin, the B-2 is lined with a wool blanket lining or more rare with a moquette lining.
Differences in the Collar may have been on a experimental basis, the B-2 itself had two different closing systems on its collars for example.
BTW, there's another detail all the manufacturers of repro B-2's doing wrong - they forget about the elastic strap in the collar back like the Irvin's had.

Lost Worlds do have the collar strap.

 

[John Lever]

These are interesting and complicated designs and most likely phased out because of costs, the B3 being cheaper to produce.
John, do you have a pattern for the Switlik B1 ?

 

[petermack09]

So, to be clear, is the pocket shape of a Good Wear Switlik still wrong?

I'm very much aware of the elastic strap. Finding, or making, the metal ends is difficult without an original to copy. I can assume the design, but would prefer to have an original in hand to copy. The two original B-1 jackets I've used did not have elastic straps.

The collar you see with little tabs to close the collar are Werber products, on both the B-1 and B-2 jackets. The belts used to close the collar are a Switlik product on both the B-1 and B-2.

I'm very much familiar with the lining differences, and have superb images of B-2 jackets by Switlik. Many great collector photos exist and are easily obtained of the Werber originals as well.

I'm having no luck inserting or attaching images at the moment.

https://goodwearleather.com/GoodWear_Switlik_B1_44/front_view1.jpg

I would buy that john

 

[saucerfiend]

These are interesting and complicated designs and most likely phased out because of costs, the B3 being cheaper to produce.
John, do you have a pattern for the Switlik B1 ?

Wearing the Good Wear pattern Switlik B-1. Of course, appropriately named Chapman Parachute and Equipment Company because of copyrights

 

[saucerfiend]

If I'm not mistaken, the first Irvins date back to 1932. Is the B-1 older ?

The B-1 is a 1931 Contract.

 

[CK90]

Wearing the Good Wear pattern Switlik B-1. Of course, appropriately named Chapman Parachute and Equipment Company because of copyrights

View attachment 174583

One incredible looking jacket, from the master himself no less.

 

[John Lever]

Love those collar straps

 

[pj_odin]

As for Werber B2, I think that in addition to the box-like appearance of the pocket, there is probably a flannel lining inside the pocket, and there is also a cloth on the leather of the chest. Note the marks of the pinholes, especially the transverse pinholes under the pocket cover.The two seam marks in the pocket are not because of the double stitches, but a flannel square sewn inside

Given that Werber's B2 is so similar to Switlik's B-1/B-2 (ver-1, w535 AC-4552), maybe Switlik's pocket is the same way, but that's just speculation without any proof.

 

[Enigma1938]

As for Werber B2, I think that in addition to the box-like appearance of the pocket, there is probably a flannel lining inside the pocket, and there is also a cloth on the leather of the chest. Note the marks of the pinholes, especially the transverse pinholes under the pocket cover.The two seam marks in the pocket are not because of the double stitches, but a flannel square sewn inside

Given that Werber's B2 is so similar to Switlik's B-1/B-2 (ver-1, w535 AC-4552), maybe Switlik's pocket is the same way, but that's just speculation without any proof.

View attachment 174603

View attachment 174605

The exemplar in pic1 had two pockets at one point (rigger made i guess) and a few different squad patches, that jacket has surely seen some action even not in combat.

 

[Enigma1938]

If you look at the todays pictures of the original B-2 jackets it's interesting to see the color of the hide when the top coat / finish is rubbed off. Some guys have complained about the color of Buzz Ricksons Repros when the Finish is gone at high point areas and reveals the hide underneath, but it seems not so different from originals

 

[petermack09]

If you look at the todays pictures of the original B-2 jackets it's interesting to see the color of the hide when the top coat / finish is rubbed off. Some guys have complained about the color of Buzz Ricksons Repros when the Finish is gone at high point areas and reveals the hide underneath, but it seems not so different from originals View attachment 174609

That's looks like the Buzz i sold to Haitham,,plastic feeling hide with a terrible topcoat.im sure originals didn't look like that after 20mins wearing, that's why I punted it very quickly. Could be an awesome jacket with proper leather.

 

[Enigma1938]

That's looks like the Buzz i sold to Haitham,,plastic feeling hide with a terrible topcoat.im sure originals didn't look like that after 20mins wearing, that's why I punted it very quickly. Could be an awesome jacket with proper leather.

I've seen one before with issues like you describe, but with mine I am completely satisfied (besides the wrong pocket design fact). No big area abrasions no plastic like Leather. Seems there were some differences in the used materials back then, eventually has something to to with the production batches or years, maybe someone has threatened the leather with some bad stuff... who knows

 

[buzzthetower]

"I hoped there would be one with a survived pocket but there's still nothing..."

Agree completely. There are aspects of copying vintage jackets that lead to pain what to do. One often has two possible outcomes: don't make the repro, so no foul, or copy what you think it is, but you really don't know. In the case if the pocket, I am not in possession of the original product, and made up my pockets, but they're close. Perfect, nope. Just close. I wish I could handle the real thing.

That pocket system must have been so dangerous, they were removed with tremendous vigor. No other flight jacket I know of has such an inherent flaw.

 

[mulceber]

"I hoped there would be one with a survived pocket but there's still nothing..."

Agree completely. There are aspects of copying vintage jackets that lead to pain what to do. One often has two possible outcomes: don't make the repro, so no foul, or copy what you think it is, but you really don't know. In the case if the pocket, I am not in possession of the original product, and made up my pockets, but they're close. Perfect, nope. Just close. I wish I could handle the real thing.

That pocket system must have been so dangerous, they were removed with tremendous vigor. No other flight jacket I know of has such an inherent flaw.

I suppose the only *truly* authentic option would be to make the repro without the pocket, but with really authentic stitch holes where the pocket would be. I wonder how many customers would be lining up for that.

 

[John Lever]

OK...so where are all these pockets ?

 

[2BM2K]

Here is a period photo with B1/B2 jackets (probably 1933?);

Source: https://flic.kr/p/iT38Ei

 

[pj_odin]

I believe this guy has two pockets