Monarch AN-J-3 by Dave Sheeley (Maverickson)

[coolhandluke]

Skip,

Not to resurrect the dead but who does this jacket look with age on it now? In talks with Dave about creating an AN-J-3 and this is exactly what I want! Making a deposit with him Friday. So thankful to have stumbled upon your thread.

Skip's jacket was actually listed for sale on eBay almost exactly one year ago.

 

[WilsonDukeofLizards]

Skip,

Not to resurrect the dead but who does this jacket look with age on it now? In talks with Dave about creating an AN-J-3 and this is exactly what I want! Making a deposit with him Friday. So thankful to have stumbled upon your thread.

Funnily enough, I pinged Dave about an AN-J-3 a couple of days ago too. Although I'm more interested in the Air Force type.

 

[MeatballMedic]

Skip's jacket was actually listed for sale on eBay almost exactly one year ago.

View attachment 178129

View attachment 178131

Thank you for finding that!

That jacket has aged beautifully. Looking forward to the wait for one. A jacket to some, and art to us.

 

[MeatballMedic]

Funnily enough, I pinged Dave about an AN-J-3 a couple of days ago too. Although I'm more interested in the Air Force type.

Must be something in the air. His work looks great and I think it would be something very cool! I’m wanting one with the epaulets and bottom flap pockets. I love the functionality of the snap buttons and they are better for securement (imho) but nothing looks as sharp as the button.

What specifically denotes the “Air Force” type?

 

[WilsonDukeofLizards]

I'm sure someone far more knowledgeable than me could chime in but by Air Force type I mean exterior wind flap and epaulets (so it looks more A-2-like). I think that's the W&G. I totally agree with you on the snaps/button debate.

 

[coolhandluke]

@MeatballMedic, if you end up going with this contract, I would recommend making sure that it is not too trim in the chest. I went with an AN-J-3A, which is the same exact pattern and I wish that it had another 1-1.5" in the pit to pit measurement. I'd go with whatever chest measurement that you wear in a comfortable fitting A-2, regardless of the bi-swing back. My jacket can't be zipped up beyond the top of the windflap without puckering and feeling restricting.

I believe that the armholes are higher and narrower than on a Monarch M-422A, which makes the chest feel more restrictive than jackets with lower armholes and the same pit to pit measurement.

Regardless, the jacket is an absolute work of art that you wouldn't regret buying. Just be aware that its resale value will suffer since it's a civilian jacket. IIRC, Skip's AN-J-3 sold for less than $400 USD + shipping on eBay. Because of that fact alone, I would lean towards one of Dave's reproduced military contracts.

 

[mulceber]

What specifically denotes the “Air Force” type?

Pretty sure he means the Willis & Geiger (most likely civilian?) type that had epaulets and an A-2-style storm flap.