Maverickson
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
It brings me great pleasure to present my now restored size 40 Switlik Parachute And Equipment Co. M-422. This jacket was a basket case when received back in October of 2018. Since receiving I've been busy sourcing all the needed parts and diligently working towards bringing this jacket back to it's former glory.
According to my research at the National Archives in Washington D.C this jacket is one of 247 jackets that were delivered to the USN. That order was comprised of three separate deliveries directly sent to N.A.S Pensacola. All made during the first quarter of 1941. Notwithstanding, all prior to my research (which proves beyond a doubt it's authenticity) this jacket went unrecognized and in fact was seldom if ever listed as a credible USN contract.
In addition, I have subsequently found that not just the Switlik but all per War USN jackets were in fact stitched 100% using silk.
My Switlik jacket is now a permanent reference and model for any and all of my future reproductions using this same pattern.
The Switlik stencil is quite unique. My stencil maker recons that it was a 100% factory concoction with no continuity to the spacing.
All the original stitch holes were perfectly aligned both front and back.
Again, the original stitch holes were followed and aligned front and back.
You are looking at Switlik's unique map pocket. Please also note that the zipper's original track was also followed.
In doing the restoration I completely disassembled this jacket down to it's individual panels. The hide was in fact found to be vegetable tanned. Before restitched using 100% silk thread throughout as per original I patterned it complete. Thereby eliminating any guess work for my future reproductions.
This restoration work was done by me as an max effort. I spent untold man hours diminishing ghost stitches from previous repairs. Then reused the original stitch work so as to minimize any extra holes.
Now and through my good work this jacket is as close to original as I can possibly get it. To maintain authenticity I sourced every thing needed to make this jacket correct to the make and model. The zip is the correct model blackened brass M-39 Talon. The knits were replaced using knits that I had made to duplicate those used by the factory. In keeping with the vintage look I faded a dark brown mouton for 6 months. The lining on the body of the jacket I sourced is as close as I can get and a dead ringer to the same original brown colored rayon as seen on the inside of the pockets.
Unfortunately, the label is in fact a reproduction. As the previous owner kept it's original label. However, I had a reproduction label made that duplicates the original label's exact dimensions and nomenclature as seen on that original Switlik label.
In doing this restoration what strikes me the most and not unlike all the jackets I've restored, this Switlik jacket's design is full of idiosyncrasies and there are almost to many to list. Notwithstanding it was built using completely individualized factory construction techniques. Moreover, every single individual panel differs from all others I've seen to date or are completely unique to this particular maker. Few of which could ever be correctly ascertained simply from a photo.
Cheers, Dave
It brings me great pleasure to present my now restored size 40 Switlik Parachute And Equipment Co. M-422. This jacket was a basket case when received back in October of 2018. Since receiving I've been busy sourcing all the needed parts and diligently working towards bringing this jacket back to it's former glory.
According to my research at the National Archives in Washington D.C this jacket is one of 247 jackets that were delivered to the USN. That order was comprised of three separate deliveries directly sent to N.A.S Pensacola. All made during the first quarter of 1941. Notwithstanding, all prior to my research (which proves beyond a doubt it's authenticity) this jacket went unrecognized and in fact was seldom if ever listed as a credible USN contract.
In addition, I have subsequently found that not just the Switlik but all per War USN jackets were in fact stitched 100% using silk.
My Switlik jacket is now a permanent reference and model for any and all of my future reproductions using this same pattern.
The Switlik stencil is quite unique. My stencil maker recons that it was a 100% factory concoction with no continuity to the spacing.
All the original stitch holes were perfectly aligned both front and back.
Again, the original stitch holes were followed and aligned front and back.
You are looking at Switlik's unique map pocket. Please also note that the zipper's original track was also followed.
In doing the restoration I completely disassembled this jacket down to it's individual panels. The hide was in fact found to be vegetable tanned. Before restitched using 100% silk thread throughout as per original I patterned it complete. Thereby eliminating any guess work for my future reproductions.
This restoration work was done by me as an max effort. I spent untold man hours diminishing ghost stitches from previous repairs. Then reused the original stitch work so as to minimize any extra holes.
Now and through my good work this jacket is as close to original as I can possibly get it. To maintain authenticity I sourced every thing needed to make this jacket correct to the make and model. The zip is the correct model blackened brass M-39 Talon. The knits were replaced using knits that I had made to duplicate those used by the factory. In keeping with the vintage look I faded a dark brown mouton for 6 months. The lining on the body of the jacket I sourced is as close as I can get and a dead ringer to the same original brown colored rayon as seen on the inside of the pockets.
Unfortunately, the label is in fact a reproduction. As the previous owner kept it's original label. However, I had a reproduction label made that duplicates the original label's exact dimensions and nomenclature as seen on that original Switlik label.
In doing this restoration what strikes me the most and not unlike all the jackets I've restored, this Switlik jacket's design is full of idiosyncrasies and there are almost to many to list. Notwithstanding it was built using completely individualized factory construction techniques. Moreover, every single individual panel differs from all others I've seen to date or are completely unique to this particular maker. Few of which could ever be correctly ascertained simply from a photo.
Cheers, Dave
Last edited:
