Need help with year, ID and value of 2 bomber jackets

[rayd]

Hello, New to this blog, and first post. I just won 2 bomber jackets in an auction. There were amazing WWII air-force items, blood chit, leather flying caps, ect. The man was either a great collector of WWII era pilot stuff, or a pilot himself back then. It was an estate sale so no info who he was as of yet. Sorry about the rant but I always loved bomber jackets and these 2 seem to be the real thing, but regardless, they fit me so I may keep one and sell one. The one with the R.M I take is from England. I paid $600 for it. The other says it was contracted to the air force, but which one? Is it US or English as well? That one I paid $250 for. Take a look and I would love to know if I overpaid, or what I actually have. I love them regardless, so that is all that counts I guess, Thanks!

 

[rayd]

The second is an Irvin if that helps

 

[Saint-ex]

Both are Irvin jackets so Royal Air Force gear.

The first one, without pockets, seem to be an original to me, to be confirmer by more experimented.

The second one, with pocket is a repro, by aviation leathercraft. Original don't have pockets.

 

[B-Man2]

St Ex is spot on . The first jacket is an RAF issued Irving jacket that still has the heating umbilical wires attached . The second jacket is a commercially made Aviation Leathercraft Irvin . You didn’t get hurt money wise. Nice purchases .

 

[Southoftheborder]

And don’t leave the original Irvin on a hanger it’s too old to take that strain and it will destroy the shoulders after a while. It’s a good size and looks in good condition with the label which is uncommon so you did very well with that.

 

[mulceber]

And don’t leave the original Irvin on a hanger it’s too old to take that strain and it will destroy the shoulders after a while. It’s a good size and looks in good condition with the label which is uncommon so you did very well with that.

Can’t emphasize that enough. Putting the jacket on a coat hanger for the photo is ok, but don’t store any old jackets, and especially not old shearling like that.

 

[Micawber]

It's all been said but depending on final fees and shipping you did well.


As has been said the first is an original heated Irvin type jacket by Robinson & Ensum as issued to British and other Allied aircrew in the Second World War in a good, somewhat unusual big size. Treat it with care!

The second is a post Second World War jacket still produced by Aviation Leathercraft who hold the rights to the Irvin name. This jacket has the benefit of pockets [not found on as issued wartime Irvin type jackets] and being younger would be ideal for day to day wear as long as you will not sweat that it is a perfect copy of a wartime example.

You did well.

 

[rayd]

Thanks guys for this very promising report on my purchases. I am going to keep and wear the repro and sell the original I think. Thanks again for the replies!!