He's having a laugh...!!

[havocpaul]

Either this guy's telling porkies or Alpha are on medication if they really verified this as original....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alpha-Ind-VINTAGE ... 53df282ce5

he says "I warmly welcome questions, observations and assistance", certainly the last one for sure!

 

[deeb7]

History according to Alpha ...

Travel back to 1959, Knoxville, Tennessee. The United States Department of Defense recruited Alpha Industries to revamp its military jacket. As the jet age took flight to greater heights and ground troops encountered trickier terrain, the technological needs and real-life demands of our soldiers changed. Simply put, but not simply achieved, Alpha reengineered outdated designs. As better fabrics were developed and tested, Alpha made better jackets for the troops – better designed, better produced, and more reliable. Alpha garments were ranked as warmer, more comfortable, more durable and designed to meet any climatic challenge.

 

[johnny english]

Perhaps his mum was Marilyn Monroe ?
I saw here an old photo of her in Korea wearing a jacket like this.

It looks to be of a similar construction to an early 90's Alpha N-3B I've got.
similar zips

 

[havocpaul]

It's one of Alpha's vintage series from 1990's onwards, possibly even more recent as it has the Alpha small label on the shoulder pocket.

 

[Tim P]

I just offered him this.....



Please dont think me rude but this is a genuine Alpha jacket and is a remanufacture from the 90's based on a 50's pattern. Note the word vintage on the label. This would have no place on a military spec jacket. At the same time Alpha produced their 'replica' series which are in the same vein but without artificial weathering. Please note that any military garment produced by alpha bears their name but not the stylised A logo. I am very familiar with these jackets and hope you don't feel I am being at all intrusive in offering this information.
Wishing you every success with the auction
Tim

 

[MikeyB-17]

No doubt he will be delighted to be told that! I feel your helpful comments will fall on deaf ears-'Alpha have confirmed that it's genuine'-yeah, genuine Alpha, but not genuine 50's Alpha! :roll:

 

[Roughwear]

So when do you guys think it was made? 1980s?

 

[havocpaul]

These came out in the 1990's, not badly made because at the time there were no serious repros available, prior to the Jap repros appearing, but not 100% accurate. At least they were made in USA unlike current Alphas.

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks Paul.

 

[Atticus]

I think that Alpha wasn't even Alpha when the B-15C was being issued. I think that Dobbs didn't become Alpha until the mid-fifties. And, come to think of it, I don't recall ever seing a Dobbs B-15C....though they could have existed.

The jacket above isn't even Alpha's "good" B-15C repro. It is a "vintage" series jacket...which has the (yuk!) removable collar. It isn't the "Replica" Alpha which was so sought after here on VLJ a few years back.

Once again, if Alpha wanted to, they could make a repro B-15 that would rival Buzz or whoever...for a third the price.

AF

 

[Tim P]

I think that Alpha wasn't even Alpha when the B-15C was being issued. I think that Dobbs didn't become Alpha until the mid-fifties. And, come to think of it, I don't recall ever seing a Dobbs B-15C....though they could have existed.

AF

that is my understanding too.

 

[Roughwear]

I know Alpha made an L-2B in 1960-the MIL-J-7448C spec, from their AF36(600)7801 contract. They were also awarded a 1959 contract for an NB3 on 30th December 1959. So this would suggest the firm dates from the end of the 1950s.

 

[deeb7]

So this would suggest the firm dates from the end of the 1950s.

Travel back to 1959, Knoxville, Tennessee ....

 

[watchmanjimg]

The latest Dobbs product I'm aware of is the '58 MA-1 8279B. The N-3B contract mentioned by Roughwear is perfectly consistent with Alpha's stated "birthdate" of 1959. I've also heard of the Alpha 7448C but have never run across one in person. Fascinating!

 

[Tim P]

I got this back. This seems like a mistake but the claim to have had it since the late 70's early 80's is interesting.. perhaps they did a run then?


Hi Tim.
Thanks for you message. This jacket seems to have caused much interest and conflicting advice.
Before listing it and being a responsible seller, I sent a number of photos to Alpha Industries asking for their help in dating it. They advised that it was made between late 1940 to early 1950.
As for it being made in the 1990's, that is simply not possible as it has been in my personal possession since the late 70's early 80's. 2 other members have also expressed concern, citing it no doubt as an Aplha product, but from the 80's. According and until I can take the matter further with Alpha, I will be ending the listing. I am most grateful.

 

[Jason]

I don't think Alpha started to use that stylised A with the three bars until the mid/late 80s?

The simple retort to his "but Alpha said it was made in late 40s to early 50s" is - how can a company make something before they existed in 1958... with the first contract being delivered to the military in 1959.