M445: can the damage be mended?

[jack aranda]

I'm thinking of taking a run at this jacket:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-WWII-US-NAVY-SH ... 1|294%3A50

but, the shoulder damage looks serious enough to put me off a bit. Is this the sort of tear that can be reasonably repaired? I don't have the resources to pursue a hopeless cause. Any insights, or experiences with similar problems and your results or frustrations will be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[John Lever]

I looks hopeless to me. I know that Aero have refused to even try to fix US Navy jackets because of the salt water causing the skin to rot.
This one looks better, but it's always a huge risk with these things.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... tsupported

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jack it seems to me the best way to handle the repair is to replace the whole section ,the jacket basically looks in good shape as presented in the photo ,but like John says its a crap shoot and you might end up having to do more and more work the more you wear it.I am an A-2 guy I think John would know better than me as this is his territory so to speak . Want further insurance it is not a bad buy ask questions of the seller /does he wear it on a regular basis or is it a static display ,when it split did it get any worse quickly , questions along this line would make up your mind to yes or no on this.

Rgds Jeff good luck

 

[MikeyB-17]

I'd be inclined to give it a miss-USN sheepskins have a terrible reputation for rotting-apparently the effect of salt water exposure. Even ones that look OK have been known to fall to bits. Unless you have a guarantee that it's never been to sea, I'd give it a wide berth (to use another nautical phrase).

 

[bazelot]

Ben, I would stay away from it as a wearer period. If it ripped already, it will rip again. I used to own a lot of those Navy jackets and they tend to be fragile, especially if they are already ripped. As a display though it looks really good. I was actually watching it in My Ebay list

 

[fishmeok]

It's toast- save your money.
Cheers
Mark

 

[Peter Graham]

It's toast- save your money.
Cheers
Mark

I agree. Stay well away. It will fall apart.

 

[jack aranda]

Thanks, guys. good advice from people I respect. I'm going to pass on this one. I appreciate all of your input.

 

[hacker]

I know I've come on the scene late, but I've owned quite a few Navy sheepskins (still have one here), and the jacket listed is a time bomb ...good for display only. It's just a sad reality...I suspect there may be a few good ones out there, but without running it thru your hands, it would be pure luck buying online...either the good or bad kind.

Hacker

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jack with all the guys input leaning the same way not much to think about ,good question bye the way .The best part your money stays in your pocket and it becomes some other guys problem .After reading what the other forum members said I have learned something about this type of jacket .


Rgds Jeff

 

[bristolherc]

I agree with all of the above comments about these jackets being time bombs....but not wanting to hijack the thread in any way, ......I disagree with the comments regarding exposure to salt water as being the cause of the fragile nature of these jackets.

I've seen similar rot in original Irvins and USAF shearlings. Sometimes the rot is confined to a specific panel on an otherwise sturdy jacket.

When last in Japan, I was lucky enough to visit a hide distributor and also the offices of a tannery, and I asked them about this sort of rot in shearling hides. Their take on it was that during the tanning process, bacteria, whether already present, or introduced during the tanning was the cause of the rot we see.

My 2 cents,

BEVAN.

 

[MikeyB-17]

There y'go-I was just passing on what I've heard several times over the years regarding the salt water thing. It does seem though, that the USN jackets seem to have a worse tendency towards rotting than others, for some reason.

 

[Roughwear]

I would agree about USN shearlings. They are generally more fragile than B-3s or Irvins. Even complete ones can rip at any time of worn. It's best to avoid them unless you want one for display.

 

[John Lever]

I agree with all of the above comments about these jackets being time bombs....but not wanting to hijack the thread in any way, ......I disagree with the comments regarding exposure to salt water as being the cause of the fragile nature of these jackets.

I've seen similar rot in original Irvins and USAF shearlings. Sometimes the rot is confined to a specific panel on an otherwise sturdy jacket.

When last in Japan, I was lucky enough to visit a hide distributor and also the offices of a tannery, and I asked them about this sort of rot in shearling hides. Their take on it was that during the tanning process, bacteria, whether already present, or introduced during the tanning was the cause of the rot we see.

My 2 cents,

BEVAN.

Probably an accurate point of view considering salt is a major constituent during the curing process. I believe skins are salted during transit from their country of origin to preserve them prior to tanning. Even so some Australian skin are often totally rotten and full of bugs when they reach the UK after the long sea journey by ship in a container.