BILL KELSO N-1

[Grant]

It's just a low rez teaser pic of Kelso's new N-1 deck jacket, but it doesn't look half bad. If they can get the Bedford cord shell and thick alpaca lining right, they may have something here.

 

[D97x7]

Having recently been infected by the N-1 virus, I'm very keen to see how they look.

 

[Otter]

Having recently been infected by the N-1 virus, I'm very keen to see how they look.

This particular vaccine might take quite a while judging on their recent performance.

 

[B-Man2]

If it’s as good or even better than the Buzz
N-1 they definitely will have a winner .

 

[MaydayWei]

Having recently been infected by the N-1 virus, I'm very keen to see how they look.

I think we may all have the virus.
If symptoms such as excessive mouth-watering, googling N-1 deck jackets on ebay, and a burning sensation in your wallet region persist for greater than 4 hours, please consult a doctor.

But joking aside, there appears to be a 100 pound price difference between the Olive version and the Khaki one. Anyone know why?
I would guess it is due to the scarcity of the khaki jungle cloth over the olive jungle cloth. But beyond that, I can't (for the life of me) figure why.

 

[Grant]

FWIW, I've never seen an original N-1 in khaki, other than faded used and abused ones. Personally, I wish they'd reproduce the earlier and much rarer blue N-1 with US NAVY stenciled on the back.

 

[Brent]

I don't know either but my expensive BR is Khaki. I also bought a Houston knock off in blue and wear it far more than the Buzz.

Regards,

 

[D97x7]

The khaki one is 100% alpaca lined whereas the olive is 50/50 wool and alpaca, I assume that's where the price difference is.

 

[Grant]

Interesting. I recently sold a Korean War N-1 that was 50/50 wool/alpaca. It was nice but not as warm as my all alpaca WWII N-1.

 

[MaydayWei]

The khaki one is 100% alpaca lined whereas the olive is 50/50 wool and alpaca, I assume that's where the price difference is.

I think you're right.
My confusion arises from the fact that the 4th picture of the khaki N-1 listing clearly states 50% Alpaca /50% Wool on the label of what appears to be the BK Khaki N-1:

Jacket, winter N-1, alpaca lined with zipper. Olive drab shade no. 3 - Bill Kelso Mfg.

The N-1 jacket was introduced around 1943 as part of the Navy’s new and improved line of special and protective clothing. The jacket construction requirements were covered by specification No N: 37-J-3 INT according to which it was a hip length jacket the shell of which was made by a heavy...

billkelsomfg.com

Maybe BK offers 50/50 or 100% Alpaca in both colours.
But wouldn't that be inconsistent with historical accuracy? Correct me if I am wrong, but I had always thought that the later Olive N-1's were 50/50 while the Khakis were only made in 100% Alpaca.

 

[D97x7]

Rereading it again, yes I think they do.

 

[D97x7]

No it appears I was wrong and so was the site, it's now the khaki one that's 50/50 and the olive that's 100%
Bill just answered my query on FB.

 

[MaydayWei]

No it appears I was wrong and so was the site, it's now the khaki one that's 50/50 and the olive that's 100%
Bill just answered my query on FB.

Ah, even the best of us make mistakes.
Thanks for clarifying that, Nick.
But now you've just made the Khaki N-1 all the more attractive at that new price!

 

[jack31916]

The Olive N-1 look promising and is cheaper than Buzz Rickson or Real McCoys.

Some good reading on (N-1) USN Deck Jackets here: https://segui-riveted.blogspot.com/search?q=deck+jacket

Btw: when searching the Net I came across this one: https://www.redcloudoverall.com/col...cloud-赤芸-lot-7710-15-usn-n1-deck-jacket-olive. Looks like a Bronson relative.

 

[ausreenactor]

Need to sort that A-2 queue out first.. This is what drives people nuts!

 

[ButteMT61]

My issue with the N-1 that I own and others I have seen is that they aren’t longer and nature as opposed to being rather boxy.
those pics in to look nicely the opposite and would appeal to me. Maybe it’s my 6’-4” frame but while I love my Pike Bros, I wish it were longer.
These look promising. Not that I’m in the market...

 

[Brent]

Should these N-1 deck jackets be noted with the DEMOTEX-ED label? Or is that just a Buzz thing?

Regards,

 

[ausreenactor]

Should these N-1 deck jackets be noted with the DEMOTEX-ED label? Or is that just a Buzz thing?

Regards,

Not all of the BR N-1s have that label/lining. Depends on the model.

 

[Grant]

DEMOTEX-ED labels are rare to find in original N-1's. Here's the more common WWII label in mine and a shot of the Conmar zip. Korean War era labels N-1's have a completely different spec label.

 

[Brent]

My BR, which has the DEMOTEX-ED label, is khaki but I'm not sure if it is 100% alpaca. Going to look into that.
Grant is that N-1 olive.?

Regards,