What would you do with this B-3?

[Spitfireace]

Or actually he told me he's going to Australia by email when he sold me the jacket. I know what being deployed means since I was in the RCN and he is living in a military area so I don't think he's lying. But it sure makes it convenient to not deal with this.

 

[Spitfireace]

Also, as this becomes a rant, I would be quite irritated that the seller obviously hid the commonly torn shoulder and the condition of the stitching. Anytime you have multiple, random areas of missing cotton thread there's a reason, typically dry rot. The rest of the jacket has had the same exposure and isn't far behind. This type of damage is hidden when close up shots are not shown. It did photograph for the seller much better than it's actual state, IMO.
Did he describe this as, "good shape considering it's age"?
Dave

I think you hit the nail on the head when you say, "irritated by the seller hiding the torn shoulder"

 

[Spitfireace]

I remember that conversation. I think it was here. Dr H is a wealth of knowledge about leather production and treatment. I called a recommended dealer in NYC when I first started collection in the mid-90s. He was very hesitant to quote a price for a B-3. I didn't get a good vibe as he kept saying, "It depends on what you want to spend..." and kept saying that you could walk out the next day and it could be on the floor in pieces regardless of what you spend. I have not found that to be true in well preserved examples but it is true of those not protected or put on hangars for years.
It's tricky but I'd bet you could get into a fair wearer for around the $600 mark. I paid around $900 for one and maybe $800 for another several years back. I think the market for collectable B-3s has softened a bit. The lower end of all the collectable stuff will always remain low end.
My first instinct would be to return it out of principle. It's still sellable to another but you should not feel obligated to be stuck with it unless you value it. That cash could go towards a better one - or at least one that you could resell more easily. Second would be to leave it as a display item(on a bust with a Mae West that would cover the zip). If you don't collect for display then not sure.
As I mentioned it did look every bit worth $230USD in the sellers pics.
Dave

I might just restore it if the seller doesn't get back to me

 

[Spitfireace]

Aero Leather or maybe Byson?

 

[Spitfireace]

I always feel like I'm resposible for history or something.

 

[Pilot]

Question about the bullion...
What is the value of such a bullion patch? someone here mentioned its very valuable.
Thx...
Nice B-3, I am sure it can be restaured with a lot of patience and dedication.

 

[Spitfireace]

How much patience though? I can see spending 600 CDN dollars but other than that........

 

[Pilot]

How much patience though? I can see spending 600 CDN dollars but other than that........

Andrew here is ( also) excellent in restauring...he can for sure give the best advice about all am.

 

[Spitfireace]

As others have said I too would be very wary of wearing or using that. WWII US sheepskin flying jackets are notorious for getting super delicate with age and fall apart at the drop of a hat. Strangely enough original RAF Irvins are far more robust and have fared much better than their American counterparts. I can remember having a discussion about this here or at the hat place about a decade ago and there was the idea that this could be down to the difference in tanning between the US and British sheepskins.

You could get this restored but it'll cost a bit to do so and if it's not going to worn then there's no real point. If it was me I'd keep it for display and leave it as is. Keep it out of the sun and away from any humidity.

What about this Irvin?

 

[Smithy]

If you mean the Irvin in the eBay auction you posted in the other thread just now and which Andrew has commented on, well if the measurements fit and you get it for a good price go for it if that's what you're after.

If you want a real wartime original Irvin for wearing you're best to skip this and wait for that. You can always post a request for an original Irvin here and see what comes up. You are a smaller size am I right? If so you should have more opportunities and the prices will be better than larger jackets.

 

[Spitfireace]

I did it.. just looks like such a good Irvin....I don`t need a crappy old piece of shit.. looks too good IMO

 

[Spitfireace]

Good price....can not ignore it

 

[Spitfireace]

Devon fleece....

 

[dmar836]

Question about the bullion...
What is the value of such a bullion patch? someone here mentioned its very valuable.
Thx...

Looks like the common bullion version of the CBI patch. Unless something has radically changed,not rare at all. I have them loose and on class A’s.
Dave

 

[Pilot]

Thx, will post a photo of mine...just to have an info and idea...

 

[Geeboo]

"Sheepskin from this period of time can be very fragile" x10
What a nice find, I envy

 

[Spitfireace]

Looks like the common bullion version of the CBI patch. Unless something has radically changed,not rare at all. I have them loose and on class A’s.
Dave

Not a particularly rare patch. Worth about $75.00 US or so. Interesting thing about the placement of the patch is that when in theater the patch is placed on the left arm. When the airman returns to the US the patch is required to be placed on the right arm. I initially thought that the patch was on the wrong arm because maybe it was put on sometime after the war to enhance the jacket. I couldn't really see anyone bothering to do that though, and now I know the story behind it.

 

[Spitfireace]

If you mean the Irvin in the eBay auction you posted in the other thread just now and which Andrew has commented on, well if the measurements fit and you get it for a good price go for it if that's what you're after.

If you want a real wartime original Irvin for wearing you're best to skip this and wait for that. You can always post a request for an original Irvin here and see what comes up. You are a smaller size am I right? If so you should have more opportunities and the prices will be better than larger jackets.

I bit the bullet and bought that Irvin. It is a late war Irvin assembled from trousers and also a former Coastal Command jacket in this case. Had it sent to Aero and checked out. It looks like pretty much all I expected and will be fitted with a belt and zipper and will make a good wearable shearling if worn with respect. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread (I'd have to go back and check who) Irvin's are more robust generally than B3's are. Mostly you don't seem to see the tears in Irvin's that B3's get. Once you have to repair tears in the shearling it's a major undertaking. Costly to the point of just not worth it. I've been advised by some very knowledgeable people. To each their own though. Thanks to everyone who put their input in.

 

[Spitfireace]

 

[Spitfireace]

As others have said I too would be very wary of wearing or using that. WWII US sheepskin flying jackets are notorious for getting super delicate with age and fall apart at the drop of a hat. Strangely enough original RAF Irvins are far more robust and have fared much better than their American counterparts. I can remember having a discussion about this here or at the hat place about a decade ago and there was the idea that this could be down to the difference in tanning between the US and British sheepskins.

You could get this restored but it'll cost a bit to do so and if it's not going to worn then there's no real point. If it was me I'd keep it for display and leave it as is. Keep it out of the sun and away from any humidity.

this is where I decided to get an Irvin thanks for the advice Smithy. Original Irvins are much more robust as far as I've seen since I've gotten more wise to shearlings.