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Best B-10 repro?
- Thread starter sparidon
- Start date
Eastman are very wearable and are unbelievably close to an original of the same contract that I was lucky enough to be able to side-by-side.
Pike are thinner so they are easier to wear in warmer conditions but still secondary to eastman.
BUZZ and RM are excellent and the options of brown knits and white collars are nice to have. Eastman provides best value in my opinion though, especially when the alpaca lining in some non eastman jackets is too coarse and actually limits movement.
Pike are thinner so they are easier to wear in warmer conditions but still secondary to eastman.
BUZZ and RM are excellent and the options of brown knits and white collars are nice to have. Eastman provides best value in my opinion though, especially when the alpaca lining in some non eastman jackets is too coarse and actually limits movement.
foster
Well-Known Member
Last December I was researching B-10's so I could purchase a quality replica. I decided on Eastman, as their length fit me the best. The Buzz Rickson offering did not get any longer past size 44, but Eastman's did increase slightly (as I understand it, the increased length in larger sizes is normal). I bought a size 46, and I am 6'3" tall and maybe 215 to 225 lbs (don't own weight scales in the house). Normally I take a 42L or 44L suit.
One thing I was curious about is the Buzz Rickson Superior Togs replica which has the red knits. I like the appearance of this, but I did not find any original photographic evidence of these, nor am I familiar with originals like this. I assume they exist, otherwise they would not be copied, and I admit the reference material available for me to examine is very limited. But I wonder if anyone knows approximately how many B-10 jackets like this were originally produced?
One thing I was curious about is the Buzz Rickson Superior Togs replica which has the red knits. I like the appearance of this, but I did not find any original photographic evidence of these, nor am I familiar with originals like this. I assume they exist, otherwise they would not be copied, and I admit the reference material available for me to examine is very limited. But I wonder if anyone knows approximately how many B-10 jackets like this were originally produced?
TankBuster
Active Member
I think Buzz recreated the "Red Knit" B-10 on the premise that someone used knits off an A-2 jacket to replace the green B-10 knits. A field repair of sorts. A far stretch at best. I do admit to liking the combo however.
mezz07
New Member
According to Buzz Rickson a relatively small number of B-10s were produced during the war with berry colored A-2 knits because of a temporary shortage of green knits. So the color combination is definitely authentic and is documented. And since the colors look good together I think Buzz did a good thing here.
mezz07
New Member
I admit to a small amount of bias since I own a Superior Togs B-10 with berry knits. But the colors are historically accurate even if they were produced in small numbers. And authenticity is what matters in my book. Personally as long as there is documented use of a certain color I'm ok with it.
I've also seen some Buzz L-2As and B-15C Mods with green knits. Those are definitely a curiosity. I suppose knits from tanker jackets were used in lieu of proper blue knits.
I've also seen some Buzz L-2As and B-15C Mods with green knits. Those are definitely a curiosity. I suppose knits from tanker jackets were used in lieu of proper blue knits.
TankBuster
Active Member
Roughwear said:
I'm with Andrew. I've never heard of actual wartime production of this combo. If they have photos or documents, I would love to see them. My guess is that it was a field repair using A-2 jacket knits versus being produced that way.
Peter Graham
Well-Known Member
I can now offer some input to this thread as I've just received a used BR B-10. It must be the 'house' version as it has Buzz Rickson on the label but appears to be a copy of the same Stagg contract which until recently I owned an original example. This contract has a really nice pattern with sharply scalloped pockets and epaulettes fitted and BR nail it perfectly. I once owned a BR B-15A and was very disappointed with the alpaca. More like grey wool. The alpaca in this jacket is just the right blend and colour, and like the original, is itch free. I'm really chuffed with the jacket but I've never seen an Eastman although I prefer the Stagg pattern to the Roughwear.
Phantomfixer
New Member
Roughwear said:
would be nice to see something...but dont think it will happen...Personally I do like the Berry knits on the B-10...the folks at HPA talked me out of the Berry B-10...They said the sizes ran small.....my loss...
mezz07
New Member
This is from HPA's own description for the berry knitted B-10:
"Buzz Rickson’s offer a Special Edition of a rare B-10 produced by the Superior Togs Co., Inc. during WWII. Some wartime contractors were permitted to use reddish or berry-colored wool knit cuffs and waistbands on flying jacket production, the most notable being Aero Leather of Beacon, NY in the production of A-2 jackets, but at least one B-10 contractor also utilized this same knit color and this was Superior Togs."
http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/buzzrlanding_2.php
I take HPA at their word. They state that some Superior Togs B-10s were manufactured with berry knits from the factory, not a field repair. I don't want to be contrary, but this is what I believe. I wish I could find more proof, like a picture of an original. If I'm wrong then the mistake is on HPA and/or Buzz Rickson's I suppose.
"Buzz Rickson’s offer a Special Edition of a rare B-10 produced by the Superior Togs Co., Inc. during WWII. Some wartime contractors were permitted to use reddish or berry-colored wool knit cuffs and waistbands on flying jacket production, the most notable being Aero Leather of Beacon, NY in the production of A-2 jackets, but at least one B-10 contractor also utilized this same knit color and this was Superior Togs."
http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/buzzrlanding_2.php
I take HPA at their word. They state that some Superior Togs B-10s were manufactured with berry knits from the factory, not a field repair. I don't want to be contrary, but this is what I believe. I wish I could find more proof, like a picture of an original. If I'm wrong then the mistake is on HPA and/or Buzz Rickson's I suppose.
mezz07
New Member
This is a quote from Buzz Rickson's 2012 catalog about the Superior Togs B-10. It's translated from Japanese:
"The color of knit parts of most of B-10 jacket was the same color, olive drab as outer shell is. This particular B-10 jacket produced by Superior Togs Co., Inc. had red-color knit cuffs and waistband which were leftover from A-2. The suppliers needed to use the leftover parts from earlier models when the regular materials were in short supply in early wartime period.
http://bp-catalog.com/book/catalog.php?code=buzzricksons12&userid=yhk10123
"The color of knit parts of most of B-10 jacket was the same color, olive drab as outer shell is. This particular B-10 jacket produced by Superior Togs Co., Inc. had red-color knit cuffs and waistband which were leftover from A-2. The suppliers needed to use the leftover parts from earlier models when the regular materials were in short supply in early wartime period.
http://bp-catalog.com/book/catalog.php?code=buzzricksons12&userid=yhk10123
