Original AN-J-3?

[J00i]

Hello!

I have recently purschased what I belive is an AN-J-3 jacket with ripped linning and cuffs. Am I right in my identification? And what maker would it be then?

I was wondering what you guys think about the lining and cuffs, can I hand it in for restoration or would that diminish the historical value of the jacket?

Lastly I was wondering what you think about the value of the jacket as it is now, mostly wondering if I got a goView attachment 174085od deal or not!

Thanks for the help!

Regards Johan

 

[Saint-ex]

Hi !

The bottom snap is not present on original ANJ-3 as far as I know.

Civilian version I guess.

 

[J00i]

Hi !

The bottom snap is not present on original ANJ-3 as far as I know.

Civilian version I guess.

Ahh, really? Maybe a later addition?

Thought I saw a willis and Geiger AN-J-3 jacket with a bottom snap button although I might be mistaken

 

[bseal]

Hello!

I have recently purschased what I belive is an AN-J-3 jacket with ripped linning and cuffs. Am I right in my identification? And what maker would it be then?

I was wondering what you guys think about the lining and cuffs, can I hand it in for restoration or would that diminish the historical value of the jacket?

Lastly I was wondering what you think about the value of the jacket as it is now, mostly wondering if I got a goView attachment 174085od deal or not!

Thanks for the help!

Regards Johan

Based upon the price you told us, it would be hard not to think you scored in a big way. If it’s an investment for retirement or for a kid’s 529, one would not make repairs. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

 

[J00i]

Based upon the price you told us, it would be hard not to think you scored in a big way. If it’s an investment for retirement or for a kid’s 529, one would not make repairs. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Not sure I understand your reply but then again im not a native english speaker so knowing what a 529 is might not be essential for me.

But either your saying, to retain value over time dont do any restoration work cause it would diminish the value of the jacket or your saying restoration work is super expensive?

 

[Pilot]

Sorry as mentioned above,
not a ww2 jacket..
Would give it back if you bought/paid for it already

Skinnjacka / aviator/ AN-J-3 Navy G-I

Utropspris: 1295 kr. Typ: Auktion. Slutar: 2025-01-02 11:42:53. Köp & sälj begagnade & oanvända Skinnjackor på Tradera.

www.tradera.com

 

[J00i]

Sorry as mentioned above,
not a ww2 jacket..
Would give it back if you bought/paid for it already

Skinnjacka / aviator/ AN-J-3 Navy G-I

Utropspris: 1295 kr. Typ: Auktion. Slutar: 2025-01-02 11:42:53. Köp & sälj begagnade & oanvända Skinnjackor på Tradera.

www.tradera.com

Aah well that would be unfourtunate. I guess I was to excited when I found it!

What am I missing then? In terms of identifiers? Would be nice to know if im gonna refund the jacket with a cause.

 

[Pilot]

Its just far from a WWII original.
pe wrong knittings , snap on the bottom ( I believe there is another not legit one on the collar.. but unsure since difficult to identify on the photos …).
Its just all wrong IMHO… but others may again chime in.

 

[J00i]

Its just far from a WWII original.
pe wrong knittings , snap on the bottom ( I believe there is another not legit one on the collar.. but unsure since difficult to identify on the photos …).
Its just all wrong IMHO… but others may again chime in.

Yea, i agree with the knittings! They look weird, the button however i saw on a AN-J3 which has been attributed to willis and geiger but I guess to much on mine is off to make it plausible.

 

[J00i]

Yea, i agree with the knittings! They look weird, the button however i saw on a AN-J3 which has been attributed to willis and geiger but I guess to much on mine is off to make it plausible.

 

[Pilot]

Yea, i agree with the knittings! They look weird, the button however i saw on a AN-J3 which has been attributed to willis and geiger but I guess to much on mine is off to make it plausible.

Yes you are right… red flags…

 

[J00i]

Yes you are right… red flags…

Yea, red flags i disregarded since the price was good! Classic misstake!

But would you not agree that there are somethings going for the jacket aswell? I mean if you dont think about the knitting i would for exampel say the jackets leather pattern is in line with what I see on other AN-J-3 jackets. The Willis and Geiger jacket has exterior windflap and ephilates, red lining without tag and what looks to me like goat leather. I mean its not completly of target.

 

[Saint-ex]

In fact, yes it looks like a ANJ-3. And 99,9% of people on earth will never make the difference!

So if you like it and leather is supple and without bad smell, change the knits and enjoy.

 

[J00i]

In fact, yes it looks like a ANJ-3. And 99,9% of people on earth will never make the difference!

So if you like it and leather is supple and without bad smell, change the knits and enjoy.

Haha, I guess your right! The mini differences are negligabel.

But you know its more that I would like to understand what the difference actually is, but I guess its already been answeared, knit.

Do you then think is a reproduction of some kind, i dont know how popular this type of jacket has been to reproduce. Or is it as you suggested earlier a civilian version.

 

[Saint-ex]

I'm far as a specialist but I learn from the best here.

I understood that during WWII and after, a lot of maker (even the Army/Navy suppliers) sold Civilian versions.
Some when exactly the same, some adapted to public needs.

Could be one of these. But again, I'm not an expert.

 

[Nickb123]

I would keep it (and buy it) without hesitation. Knits look to have been replaced.

Though I’ve never seen the snap on the bottom, it looks like it’s from the 1940s.

 

[mulceber]

Disagree with much of what has been said. That’s absolutely a Willis & Geiger AN-J-3. I own the jacket shown in post 10, and both John Chapman and Dave Sheeley have identified it as W&G. The snap seems to be a variant that W&G did.

Now as to whether it’s a “real” government-issue AN-J-3, probably not. But then, afaik government-issue AN-J-3s have only been confirmed in photographs. But it’s at least a private purchase jacket from the era, and of a type used by the military. I’d grab it, if it’s at a reasonable price.

Compare to this one sold by John Chapman - the only difference is the snap:

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale Original AN-J-3 Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

 

[J00i]

Well the jacket was already picked upp when I wrote the post, was a little Quick on the trigger maybe! I agree with @mulceber (although im very new to this) it looks to me like AN-J-3, civilian or otherwise i guess it is hard to say.

Anyways, thankfull for all the responses and now im just anxiously awating the packade! Will uppdate with some pictures when it has arrived.

 

[mulceber]

Worth keeping in mind as well that, if it isn’t a government contract, that doesn’t mean it’s non-military. Plenty of private purchase jackets ended up in the hands of military pilots and their civilian flight instructors.

 

[J00i]

Worth keeping in mind as well that, if it isn’t a government contract, that doesn’t mean it’s non-military. Plenty of private purchase jackets ended up in the hands of military pilots and their civilian flight instructors.

Hmm! Havent considered this but that ofcourse makes alot of sense. Will be intersting to se if i can figure something out when i have it at hand, like the marks at the epauletts on your jacket.