HLB Corp B-15 Jacket - Real or not?

[917_k]

Afternoon All,

I’ve recently acquired this B-15, but drawn a blank on what it actually is. I understand H.L.B Corp were one of the contractors to make wartime B-15s, but it must have been a relatively low number as they don’t seem especially common. The tag in this jacket looks like a legit wartime contract tag, however the jacket itself has a few anomalies that suggest it might be a civilian market jacket.

Most of it is correct for an actual AAF issue jacket, including the off-centre zipper, slash pocket studs and tag (doesn’t say anything like “original type” or something). The zipper however is Prentice, which I’ve never seen on a B-15 before and the hook loop on the inside doesn’t look correct. There is no AAF or AN stamp present anywhere.

Are these anomalies unique to the HLB contract, or did HLB make these for the civilian market and just stick wartime contract labels in them? (There is nothing to suggest the tag has been added to the jacket at some laterud appreciate any help or info anyone can give.

Thanks Rob

 

[foster]

Zipper puller could have been replaced at some point.
No AAF roundel on the sleeve, but I think not all of these came with one initially?

 

[917_k]

Yeah, I’m pretty sure the lack of sleeve markings isn’t a big deal as a number of B-15 military contracts didn’t have this, so it’s not a clear giveaway as to whether it’s an actual issue vs civilian jacket. The zipper could have been changed for sure.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Hello,

Hey I may be wrong but here are my observations.

I think there are details or hints that could indicate it's a good candidate for a port-war production.

Zipper: Prentice not Talon or Conmar?
Knits: Are they wool or cotton?
Stamps and Roundel: Missing?
Label: Do I see ghost stitching over the label?
Hanger: It' looks inconsistent like round instead of flat?

And also the fact that the B-15 seems to have been produce for the civilian market in good quantities by original manufacturers.

But all that being said, we need to look for originals and compare, who knows you may have a good original there!

Dany

 

[B-Man2]

Don’t have anything that would be helpful but I’d suggest you PM Jorge with your concerns about the jacket . I think he has a couple of originals in his collection and he may have more info to offer on the subject .