Holy Grail of B-3s, the 1937 undyed sheepskin contract!

[MikeyB-17]

Another one.

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks Mike. This looks like the 1935 Werber contract (35-1545) which did not have the sleeve facings. Looks like the chest buckle has been removed/fell off!

 

[Garylafortuna]

There are environmentally friendly dry cleaning plants operating just about everywhere now. Might be worth enquiring. Their cleaning cycles are gentler on garments I think.

 

[John Lever]

The only thing I would try is a light dab with a damp cloth. You could spray on some warm water from a mist spray.

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks John. I'll give it a try.

 

[Peter Graham]

I'd hesitate to try cleaning it with anything more than warm water. It looks great with the combat worn look anyway.

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks Peter. I may try using a little water spray on a section and dab it carefully as John suggested.

 

[MikeyB-17]

That's 80 years of honest wear-'patina' if you will. I wouldn't touch it myself.

 

[Peter Graham]

That's 80 years of honest wear-'patina' if you will. I wouldn't touch it myself.

After looking at it again, I totally agree with Mike. Leave it as it is. It's not as if you're going to wear it to a dinner party anyway !

 

[dmar836]

I think I agree. A while back I bought some lanolin oil/soap as once suggested(since it's "from sheep") and with a microfiber cloth wiped the fleece of a B-3. I think it might have helped but Woolite or anything else might have had the same effect. I didn't "wash" it mind you - just dipped the cloth in the soap mix and rubbed it on the fleece cuffs, etc.
Considering they used to scrub these things with acetone, I doubt I hurt anything. I might try it on the flesh side of a B-7.
Yours is clean enough to leave as-is IMO.

Dave

 

[Garylafortuna]

Another thing that may remove some of the grit is those sticky roller things that are used to remove pet hair and lint from garments. It worked very well removing the soil from the collar of a woolen pea coat. It is also non invasive and should not be a threat to the integrity of the jacket.

 

[dujardin]

fabulous
splendid
good catch

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks guys. The jacket will remain untouched.

 

[johnwayne]

Crikey Andrew, yet again you pull a cracker out of the hat, I don't know how you do it! Nice.
Cheers
Wayne

 

[Falcon_52]

Excellent, Andrew! Thanks for posting photos of this beauty. I especially find the collar snap female end fascinating. I have never seen one like it before; quite unique.

Noel