Found Vintage Aero Leather ANJ-4 Jacket with Kit Bag

[DanielMunich]

Hi all, i am new here. I am always looking for Vintage Clothing everywere. Now i found this Jacket. Can someone tell me how this Jacket is compared to other Pieces from this same period. Is it rare or not so rare? Maybe i want to sell them.! Leather is in good condition, everything is soft,also the fur is good and clean.,Jacket smell also good.
I am looking forward to an answer
Best regards Daniel

 

[Earloffunk]

Sounds like you have found something interesting. Maybe - Even though your Main interest seems to be selling - you should First Introduce yourself?

 

[DanielMunich]

Sounds like you have found something interesting. Maybe - Even though your Main interest seems to be selling - you should First Introduce yourself?

Hi Earloffunk, my name is Daniel from Munich 48 years old;
I am more collector from different Vintage Clothings, Levis Denim, Leather, Military; I am looking always and everywhere on Flee Markets in Germany.
I wouldn't necessarily want to sell but if I can make another collector happy.
Best Regards Daniel

 

[Silver Surfer]

I didn’t know that aero-Scotland was making a “time worn” finish, ala avirex.

 

[DanielMunich]

I didn’t know that aero-Scotland was making a “time worn” finish, ala avirex.

Here us the full text from the Tag
Jacket AN J-4
DWG.NO.AN-6553
A.C.Contract
NO.43-13616-AF
Property
Air Force, U.S.Army
Aero Leather CLO.CO
Beacon N.Y.

 

[flyincowboy]

WOW such a nice aged jacket with a nice patina!

 

[Grant]

It's not an AJN4, it's a rare AN6553, and a far cry from a Scotland repo.
According to Aota, Aero Leather Clo. Co. of Beacon had one 1943 contract (with two versions) for the AN6553 and a matching AN6554 trousers contract.
Finding an AN6553 in any kind of condition is rare these days, so nice find.
Too bad someone butchered the lame zipper replacement!

Also, cool kit bag!

 

[Mr. Mike]

It's not an AJN4, it's a rare AN6553, and a far cry from a Scotland repo.
According to Aota, Aero Leather Clo. Co. of Beacon had one 1943 contract (with two versions) for the AN6553 and a matching AN6554 trousers contract.
Finding an AN6553 in any kind of condition is rare these days, so nice find.
Too bad someone butchered the lame zipper replacement!

Also, cool kit bag!

Well I actually do think it is an AN-J-4. I came across some other original AEROs and typically the AN-J-4-identification is stated in the top right of the label above the contract identification AN6553, just like in the photos from DanielMunich. I'll attach some label photos of the ones I have seen as comparisson.

Do second your statement regarding a rare catch (even) in this condition. And yes - the kit bag is great for sure!

 

[Grant]

Cool, thanks for posting! I wonder if it has something to do with the version 1 or version 2 contracts Aero had?

 

[Mr. Mike]

Cool, thanks for posting! I wonder if it has something to do with the version 1 or version 2 contracts Aero had?

A pleasure Grant!. I think the version question rather falls into the discretion of house style like with most of the original makers in other areas too (as we see it often in our A-2 assessments). As far as I am aware the Aero design had two variations. One had the leather folded around the edges (like in the version Daniel presented here), while the later version had literally cut pieces of horsehide leather sewn to sheepskin (which could be seen as cut edge along the pockets, the sleeve facings, and other parts - probably at some point Aero must have asked the Army if they could stop folding edges and just use cut edges). Earlier Aeros of the same 13161 contract had very well designed pockets and facings, like in Daniel's example here. Some other curiosity of that house style seem to have been the usage of either buttons and button holes vs. snap closure on the pockets which apparently occurred in both versions (earlier as well as the later productions).

Also he triangle on the chest for the oxygen clips did appear almost randomly it seems on both versions of the Aeros. I still find that fairly strange as these variations even seem to have existed within the same contract. That I did not experience e.g. in any of the A-2 contracts yet.

 

[DanielMunich]

Well I actually do think it is an AN-J-4. I came across some other original AEROs and typically the AN-J-4-identification is stated in the top right of the label above the contract identification AN6553, just like in the photos from DanielMunich. I'll attach some label photos of the ones I have seen as comparisson.

Do second your statement regarding a rare catch (even) in this condition. And yes - the kit bag is great for sure!

View attachment 66091 View attachment 66092

View attachment 66093

Yes., i can confirm. My Jacket have the same Tag.

 

[DanielMunich]

Here some better Pictures presented on a Tailor Doll. The Jacket and the Bag was found in a Wood Box in the Roof of an old House.
Nobody knows who put this Zipper on. The Jacket was apparently belonged to a Boing Pilot after the War Time.

 

[ausreenactor]

G'day and Welcome!

Great fund all the same. Thanks for seeking out the VLJ and sharing.....

Super sleuth work gents....as always.