Scored an ELC B-3 .50Cal

[269sqnhudson]

Going off of the measurements of my B-6, which is loose on me these days, and the measurements of the B-3 on History Preservation (weird that the Eastman site doesn't have such a chart), I'm fairly confident a size 44 would fit just about right, given the thickness of the shearling. It would be awesome to try them on and compare, but considering I'm in the US, it pretty much is impossible. There is an online store selling a size 44, but unfortunately, they don't have a 46 I could exchange for in the event that ends up being too small.

What is your actual chest measurement?
I have to say I'm struggling to understand how 26 1/4" pit to pit is too big for a 48" chest. That's 4.5 inches over chest size on a heavy sheepskin jacket...that's totally normal surely, possibly even on the slim side. These weren't worn over T-shirts either!

 

[adfrost]

What is your actual chest measurement?
I have to say I'm struggling to understand how 26 1/4" pit to pit is too big for a 48" chest. That's 4.5 inches over chest size on a heavy sheepskin jacket...that's totally normal surely, possibly even on the slim side. These weren't worn over T-shirts either!

My chest measurement as of today is 43" and the B-3 has a 27" pit-to-pit, which means there's 11" of space...4" more than my B-6, which is already large on me. And I don't play on wearing a B-3 with layers...that's the whole point of a heavy winter jacket, IMHO. Otherwise, I would just stick to layering my B-6, which is what I have to do now for it to fit. So there you go.

 

[269sqnhudson]

Sure but my question is why are you surprised that a 48 is too big on a 43 chest? Of course it is! What surprises me is that an Aero 50” fits you at all!

 

[Griffon_301]

Another point not to miss is that shearling will get thinned out over the years...mY 20+ years old B-3 has shed quite some of its shearling and I can fit it's 44 size now over a 46 size A-2 without feeling too bulky...so IMHO you will notice that your B-3 will feel even roomier and bigger in a few years time...
I wouldn't buy shearlings a size larger than my normal jackets because of that...

 

[adfrost]

Sure but my question is why are you surprised that a 48 is too big on a 43 chest? Of course it is! What surprises me is that an Aero 50” fits you at all!

I‘m pretty sure I’ve addressed most of this, but I’ll give you the run down:

1. I’ve lost weight recently. Obviously this will affect sizing.
2. This was a last minute purchase on eBay (Discovered, bid, and won in less than 15 minutes)
3. I was not aware of the specific measurements of a size 48 Eastman B-3 and the seller didn’t list them. I found those after making the purchase.
4. My size 48 Aero M-422a is extremely trim fitting. So not having measurements, I was actually concerned this jacket, also being a size 48, would also be trim-fitting.
5. My B-6 is wearable, but airy unless I wear an additional layer under it, and even then it’s large.

So now that I have adequately described and owned up to all my assumptions, lack of important data and other failures in this purchase, are you satisfied?

 

[Griffon_301]

It's a great jacket nevertheless and with a good wool pullover or rollneck sweater underneath, it should give a good look, a little boxy maybe but still good! Or you could also try and wear an A-2 underneath...I did that with the A-2 and my B-6...hey-we are nerds in a way anyhow so we can dress up like nerds too!

 

[269sqnhudson]

Just responding to what you said, that's all. Being a 43" chest not sure what you were expecting...

"I probably would've been better served by a 46 (much to my surprise/dismay). It's pretty roomy."

 

[adfrost]

Just responding to what you said, that's all. Being a 43" chest not sure what you were expecting...

"I probably would've been better served by a 46 (much to my surprise/dismay). It's pretty roomy."

If your point was to remind me that I fucked up and spent a bunch of money on something that didn’t fit, I didn’t really need it, but congratulations, you have succeeded. Again, I ask, are you satisfied?

 

[269sqnhudson]

I’m made mistakes and that’s not my aim. I suggest you cool off just a little.
I just often see (in the 23 years I’ve been on the many versions of this forum) people hugely upsizing and downsizing and I’m always a little perplexed is all.
Unless you paid retail I’m sure you’ll make at least the majority of the money back.

 

[Lonewolf051]

I think she looks great! my grandad had a surplus B-3 that fit just like that one, "roomy" and sleeves were a bit long, he just rolled the cuffs up a couple inches, then brought it into the bathroom everytime he showered to let the heat and steam shrink up the shearling and leather, after a couple months of frequent wear plus the heat/moisture every couple nights, that B-3 moulded perfectly for him, and still couple have a thin sweater underneath! That was nearly 40 years ago though, he and the jacket are long gone now

 

[Clark J]

Sounds like you need to move that way to big for ya B-6 !!