John Lever
Moderator
Paul and Andrew,
Derek at Lewis could be a useful source of information here. He genuinely seems to be interested.
Derek at Lewis could be a useful source of information here. He genuinely seems to be interested.
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Lewis/Aviakit 'Irvin'
- Thread starter havocpaul
- Start date
asiamiles
Well-Known Member
They did do a sheepskin "flying jacket" though, didn't they? There maybe a photo of one in one of Rin Tanaka's books, and I seem to recall it being closer to the D-1 than an Irvin.havocpaul said:
Interesting to hear that they may have been a maker of Irvins during the war. Always something new to learn.
John Lever said:
I agree, I have always found him to be very happy to help and he is keen on looking back at the company's heritage and re-introducing older designs from the archive. They have plans for cloth jackets too. If you get hold of their colour catalogue it shows how they source the same or similar items such as labels and zippers, still using Lightning zips where appropriate. it is rare to find a company with such a rich history still maintaining the standards of manufacture from their factory here in UK....take note Belstaff (Italian company now).
John Lever
Moderator
Does Derek work in the Great Portland St. shop ?
m444uk
Active Member
Roughwear said:
Their 1929 label mentions aviation clothing
http://www.lewisleathers.com/gallery/ab ... ers_2.html
What does the G in DGL stand for ? It doesn't tie in with the directors names at that time.
Bud Ganz the US importer was not involved until the 1950's according to the website archive.
Interestingly ,their 1941 ad in flight magazine offers cash for used "Irvine type jackets"
John Lever
Moderator
It would be cool to find out that a WW2 contractor was still making Irvin jackets. I wonder where this would put Motol[sh]ita ?
m444uk
Active Member
John Lever said:
Looking at the vintage ads it's clear Lewis were selling their own 1936 pattern flying boots. It's surprising given the success of Eastman and others over the last 20 years that Lewis haven't marketed flight gear. They could claim in their advertising they are the only genuine makers. Everyone else has just bought the rights to trade names and make reproductions.
John Lever
Moderator
Derek just sent me a scan from a 1953 catalogue showing their 'Irvine [!] ' jacket.
Apparently there has always been confusion over the spelling.
On the same page is a dead ringer for the French cycle jacket. They plan to re-introduce this summer.
Apparently there has always been confusion over the spelling.
On the same page is a dead ringer for the French cycle jacket. They plan to re-introduce this summer.
The spelling of the name on my 1933 Irvin Air Chute jacket's label is "Irvinsuit". However the manufacturer is given as "Irving Air Chute". It did not have an "e" then and I think the "e" was added post War but not by IAC.
As far as the G is converned in DGL no one seems to know what it stands for. Another contender is Gamages of London, but until the original contracts can be located who actually made DGL jackets is likely to remain a matter for speculation.
As far as the G is converned in DGL no one seems to know what it stands for. Another contender is Gamages of London, but until the original contracts can be located who actually made DGL jackets is likely to remain a matter for speculation.
John, any chance of posting the scan of the Irvin from that catalogue? The situation with Aviation Leathercraft is sadly not uncommon, a famous and recognised name bought and then IMO abused to the detriment of the original product and legacy; with their owing the Irvin brand they prevent any other maker using such a name despite several companies now making more authentic and sympathetic jackets to the originals.
