Talon M42 or Conmar M45 zipper for my W&G ANJ-3-A

[Ritchy]

Hi there
I finally decided to restore the horsehide ANJ-3-A for my wife who loves it.
I already have the good knitwear purchased from MASH.
This jacket was originally supposed to have a brass Talon zipper but I couldn't find NOS one.
So I'm considering a field restoration with a metal Talon M43 or a brass Conmar M45.
Should i favor the supplier or the material?
All I have to do after is to get the label from Dave (@Maverickson)

Thanks for advices

 

[mulceber]

I vote neither. The right type of zipper seems to be the blackened conmar type that was also used on the 55J14s. Both Dave Sheeley and John Chapman should have them. I’d buy from one of them.

 

[Ritchy]

Dave's original with a brass Talon zipper

 

[mulceber]

That’s actually a blackened conmar, same as on these:

 

[Ritchy]

My apologize JAN, you're right

 

[mulceber]

No worries - those 55J14 conmars look a lot like a talon - especially some of the crappy early repro talons.

 

[Silver Surfer]

look on greedbay, and blacken it with gun bluing. Easypeasy

 

[Ritchy]

Thanks Vic, I already have a NOS M45 Conmar but I don't really understand your message to blacken it

 

[Spitfireace]

Most Navy zippers were blackened. Why? There has been speculation here. Anti-corrosion? Anti glare? Nobody really knows.

look on greedbay, and blacken it with gun bluing. Easypeasy

Can also use a Sharpie permanent marker. Does work. At least for a while. Easier and less messy to do.

 

[mulceber]

But...JC and Dave Sheeley sell them already blackened: a more authentic zipper for an original jacket, and likely not that expensive either. And since you're already buying a spec label from Sheeley....

 

[Ritchy]

I'm going to ask Dave @Maverickson

 

[Maverickson]

Hi All,

All the horsehide W&G 35805 ANJ-J-3A jackets I have seen came equipped with a Talon. What I refer to as a late War (44/45) brass (blackened) Talon. As found used with AN-J-3A's and last seen used on 1948 or 1949 manufactured 55J14 G-1 USN type jackets.

Cheers, Dave

 

[mulceber]

I stand corrected - thanks for weighing in Dave. Regardless, @Ritchy, you’ll get the right zipper from Dave Sheeley.

 

[Spitfireace]

There you go!