Irvin Jacket Buckle Variation?

[Jennison]

I had the privilege of seeing a private RAF uniform collection. I’m looking to buy a reproduction Irvin, so I was paying particular attention to the details on those packets. I noticed a belt buckle on one example that looks different from the ones I’ve seen here. It’s dull nickel like the rest, but it’s also modestly stylized. According to the collector, he doesn’t believe it’s a replacement and he’s seen at least one other like it. I’m wondering if a particular Irvin contractor used these buckles. Have any of you seen this type?

Thanks Jennison

 

[Shanghai-Mayne]

I don’t remember, have seen any forum discussion about Irvin buckle.

 

[Falcon_52]

Interesting, I don’t recall seeing this type of buckle before. It looks like it was originally enameled or painted brown, perhaps.

 

[Enigma1938]

Interesting, I don’t recall seeing this type of buckle before. It looks like it was originally enameled or painted brown, perhaps.

I don't think so, it's rather leftovers from decades of leather care products together with dirt and rust. Just look at the buckles pin. That said I've never seen such a buckle also on a Irvin, think it has something to do with war-related shortcomings in materials / hardware so they sometimes used what they was able to get.

 

[B-Man2]

Post a picture of where the holding portion of the leather and belt buckle are sewn together. That would be a good place to determine if it’s been re-sewn or if there are extra stitch holes . If there are none then either the same stitch holes were used when a different buckle was installed ( very unlikely) or it’s the original buckle .

 

[Dumpster D]

That looks totally one of a kind custom hand work to me. Maybe someone was a belt maker with some downtime, or brought it in special to a jeweler for mods. Very cool.

 

[Jennison]

Post a picture of where the holding portion of the leather and belt buckle are sewn together. That would be a good place to determine if it’s been re-sewn or if there are extra stitch holes . If there are none then either the same stitch holes were used when a different buckle was installed ( very unlikely) or it’s the original buckle .

Good idea. I’ve put in a request for an image or two of that area.

In the meantime, here’s an interesting detail of another Irvin. The collector tells me that most of the ID marked examples he’s seen have been in this yellow paint. He’s not sure why that is other than the paint must’ve been readily available for some reason. All I can think of are prop tips, maybe, but I doubt it. Any ideas?

 

[Dumpster D]

Wonder if it's the same paint they used here?

I've seen utility vehicles in a yellow, like dozers and stuff from the 40's, probably used for building roads. Something they'd probably have plenty of, on hand.

Very curious, I've often wondered what type of paint it might be.

I've also noticed just under the letter "M' is a small mark that might be a signature or initial as well...I need to go take a closer look again now when I get a chance to bring this Jacket out:

 

[Dumpster D]

Also, please post some more photos for us!!! Quit Teasing!!

 

[B-Man2]

Wonder if it's the same paint they used here?

I've seen utility vehicles in a yellow, like dozers and stuff from the 40's, probably used for building roads. Something they'd probably have plenty of, on hand.

Very curious, I've often wondered what type of paint it might be.

I've also noticed just under the letter "M' is a small mark that might be a signature or initial as well...I need to go take a closer look again now when I get a chance to bring this Jacket out:

View attachment 150095View attachment 150093

So I’ll venture a guess here . During WWII yellow paint was in abundance at every air base throughout the European and Pacific theaters. It was used for everything from painting no parking and security areas on the base , to names on aircraft , to help identify High Explosive ordnance . If you look at some photos you can see it’s all the same color yellow paint (See photos) . So it’s no surprise that many of the flight jackets were painted using that same yellow paint . For instance

 

[B-Man2]

Aircraft

 

[Jennison]

Also, please post some more photos for us!!! Quit Teasing!!

I’ll have to ask him to send me more photos (and he’ll run out of battery doing so). To give you an idea of the breadth of this particular collection, I asked him if he had any crush caps (I love those). In response he sent these photos and wrote that he had more on the mannequins….