Flight jacket identification

[Tom Bird]

Hi folks! Any ideas for this flight jacket identification?.... Looks like a sort of proto B3??? Original, replica???Thanks for your help & take care of you fellas!

 

[D97x7]

Looks like a B-3 with a broken zip that's had buckles stitched on instead of being repaired. Pretty sure it's no prototype.

 

[Tom Bird]

Yeah, that could....any other ideas?

 

[mulceber]

Pretty sure D97x7 is right. If it was a prototype for the B-3, it wouldn’t be a mixed batch as this one appears to be. Mixed batch jackets were all made in about 1941. This is a field repair.

 

[Tom Bird]

Yep, that's make sens man!

 

[B-Man2]

Agree , parachute riggers addition which would make this an original B-3

 

[YoungMedic]

Looks pretty badass

 

[Bombing IP]

To me its a very strange set up .First it would take a lot more work to set this up compared to replacing a zip .Secondly it would allow drafts to filter through . Lastly it would catch on things as you move around the aircraft a zippered front would be so much better !.

BIP

 

[Silver Surfer]

pix are not showing. wazzup?

 

[PilatusPilot]

Hi guys!! I got a good deal on a vintage g1 jacket... But I'm not sure if it's a real one!! Or if it is, what year and what company.. I'm not a pro I just love those jackets, so for those who know lots, I'd love some of your expertise! Let me know if you need more pictures.. I didn't know what to look for so took some basic shots

 

[MikeyB-17]

It is real. That’s a 1964 Ralph Edwards Sportswear 7823 C series. Looks to be in good shape, although I suspect that may not be the original zip. Vietnam era mouton-collared G-1’s like that have gone up considerably in price in recent years. You did well if you got it for a good price.

 

[PilatusPilot]

I got it for 90$ Canadian at my local military surplus!!! And the zipper looks equally old I can post some pictures. Also thank you very much

 

[MikeyB-17]

Then you did very well. Haven’t seen one that cheap for a long time. Now they’re usually well into the hundreds for black label G-1’s of that era.

 

[PilatusPilot]

Yeah, it was the only he had, and he said he never had a jacket like that before... I think he didn't know the value of it either so he just sold it to me to get rid of it!! Also what do you mean black label g1?

 

[pj_odin]

This appears to be a modified version of the original B-3.



Its ontology may be a contract number produced by HLB company after year 41.



Based on the fact that it's a mixed batch, I guess it's 42-5112p

 

[MikeyB-17]

Also what do you mean black label g1?

Up until the early 70’s, G-1’s had black labels with either gold or silver lettering. Later ones had white labels, and usually Dynel (faux fur) collars, often made from pressed cowhide as opposed to goatskin, and are generally regarded as not the jackets that the black label ones were-and don’t command the prices.