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rare b-3 ?!

R

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
This is an exceptionally rare B-3 with a 1936 fiscal year on the spec label. The shape of the horse hide on the upper arms is different from all other B-3s I have seen, assuming it has not been altered. The contract number 36-1154V is not mentioned on page 39 of Full Gear. I would guess this will sell at least $2k.
 
D

deeb7

Gone, but not forgotten.
Roughwear said:
... The contract number 36-1154V is not mentioned on page 39 of Full Gear.
Click to expand...

Interesting that the 37-2063 P recorded, and illustrated, also has the "unknown buckle on the chest".
 
R

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
Biddding has now picked up on this rare bird. I would imagine very few were produced in 1936 as it would appear to be a contract which is not recorded in any books or elsewhere as far as I know.
 
TankBuster

TankBuster

Active Member
I have heard that it was a special order for pre war AAC men stationed in the Arctic. I can't
remember where, but I guess it would make sense. I've seen 2 others in the years I've been
collecting. They were both in better shape than this one, but not as large! (sz48)
The others I had seen both sold for around $1,200.
Sheepskins are always a gamble! Regardless, this is a pretty cool jacket. I hope it goes to a
good home that will preserve it properly. They always need a little extra TLC!
 
D

deeb7

Gone, but not forgotten.
TankBuster said:
I have heard that it was a special order for pre war AAC men stationed in the Arctic. I can't
remember where, but I guess it would make sense.
Click to expand...

I think that all the early ones were natural colours, until the coating was introduced later in the 1930's.
 
TankBuster

TankBuster

Active Member
Could be. There are so few around, it's tough to get a good idea.
I think the Arctic idea was in a book I read, but I can't remember
which one.
 
R

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
deeb7 said:
TankBuster said:
I have heard that it was a special order for pre war AAC men stationed in the Arctic. I can't
remember where, but I guess it would make sense.
Click to expand...

I think that all the early ones were natural colours, until the coating was introduced later in the 1930's.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure about the Arctic, but as David says the early B-3s were finished with undyed skins.
 
asiamiles

asiamiles

Well-Known Member
Peter Graham said:
I still can't work out what the buckle on the chest is for on those early B-3's. Any ideas ?
Click to expand...
It must be something of a standard size that seemingly straps over the left shoulder, from the seat or parachute harness? Or from an oxygen mask? Someone on here with more knowledge of flying must be able to make a more informed guess.

I'm amazed the buckle is still attached as it must be quite heavy, so one would think it would easily drop down pulling on the stitching and the leather and eventually fall off.
 
R

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
Silver Surfer said:
yes, very rare, and not bad, no bad at all. odd measurements though. a bigger b-3 [sz 44+] with 23" arms?
Click to expand...

I notice the cuffs are turned back so perhaps the seller measured them like that. I would have expected the sleeves to be around 25"-26" long on a size 48 B-3.
 
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