A beat up ol' 'Irvin' flying jacket.

[SpitfireIV]

Hi guys,

Just looking for a few pointers on a recent accusation. So I picked up this beat up 'Irvin' style flying jacket for pretty cheap from eBay recently. The seller didn't give much info and I didn't want to ask too many questions that might alert them to the fact that it may have been a Cirrus and you know....starting price may have gone up!

I say Cirrus for a few reasons, ie the shorter zippers at the cuffs and the style of cuff zipper used, the buckle arrangement on the collar, the three vents in the underarm gussets and the style of buckle on the waste belt.

I'm happy enough with what I got for the price I paid. I took a gamble with a few rudimentary measures given and lucked out I reckon as regards fit. What I did get feels and smells very very old however and I can't see a Cirrus label, just one very grubby suede label inside with all I can make out being 'RAF PILOT' and under this 'IRVIN', there is some more text but I can't make it out.

The jacket is fairly beat, and in need of a damn good clean and conditioning but I don't mind. I have a '71 Spitfire (the automotive variety) so it'll be a nice jacket, once I carry out some repair work on, to wear in the colder days with the top down.

Apart from the right front panel and right upper arm front section which was professionally repaired by a previous owner (obviously thought enough of it to have pro repairs carried out) with a very supple and thick shearling the rest is original and quite hard.

Does anyone know who may have made this and an approx year?

Has anyone here ever been in touch with any of the current makers with regard to obtaining small sections of shearling for repair panels?

Some pics (sorry about the grubby trousers, was just in out of the workshop )

 

[Monitor]

Cool! Love these!

 

[Will Zach]

Very cool. I call them "rescued" jackets, as in those that found a home with someone who appreciates their age and history. Good luck with the identification.

 

[bn1966]

Had a few Cirrus jackets, rubbed label is certainly about the right size / colour for one of theirs. Had a couple of 1500 Spitfires, one was great and the other wasn’t

 

[SpitfireIV]

Cheers guys!

With a closer look I can indeed make out 'Cirrus' on the label. Happy enough with that so. I'm guessing just by the feel and smell that it's an old one!

The leather is bone dry and many patches will be required to get this one presentable!!

^ not the jacket featured here.

 

[bn1966]

Cheers guys!

With a closer look I can indeed make out 'Cirrus' on the label. Happy enough with that so. I'm guessing just by the feel and smell that it's an old one!

The leather is bone dry and many patches will be required to get this one presentable!!

^ not the jacket featured here.

That car brings back memories, good and bad I wear an Eastman D-1 shearling having baked in my last Irvin type, car wise I’ve discovered the Abarth 595 Competizione...small and aggressive

 

[SpitfireIV]

Ok, so I've been tipping away at this jacket on and off when I can get a few moments. 70-80% of the jacket was dry as stuff, like paper, literally, with not much force in certain areas you could push your finger through!! I know there's not much life left in it being realistic but it's being a fun project and perhaps someday might offer up some shearling should I get another 'Irvin'.

But for now I've cleaned it all over on the outside and gave it multiple lashings of conditioner, it certainly seems to have made the leather more subtle and brought a bit of life back! I've added patches, some obvious, some not so much, repaired tears, removed some of the tapes and put them to better use and still have a few more little holes to patch in. This I'm doing by repairing from the inside out; cutting down and shaving around the hole and adding a shearling patch, not always the same color!

The only thing that concerns me now is the fact that the replaced left side panel is crease free and fresh looking, doesn't fit in with the look of the rest of the jacket! It'd seem too that when the previous owner had the front panel replaced the collar was removed so the centre stitch seam doesn't match the centre seam down the back, that's annoying me...

 

[dannyk]

Ok, so I've been tipping away at this jacket on and off when I can get a few moments. 70-80% of the jacket was dry as stuff, like paper, literally, with not much force in certain areas you could push your finger through!! I know there's not much life left in it being realistic but it's being a fun project and perhaps someday might offer up some shearling should I get another 'Irvin'.

But for now I've cleaned it all over on the outside and gave it multiple lashings of conditioner, it certainly seems to have made the leather more subtle and brought a bit of life back! I've added patches, some obvious, some not so much, repaired tears, removed some of the tapes and put them to better use and still have a few more little holes to patch in. This I'm doing by repairing from the inside out; cutting down and shaving around the hole and adding a shearling patch, not always the same color!

The only thing that concerns me now is the fact that the replaced left side panel is crease free and fresh looking, doesn't fit in with the look of the rest of the jacket! It'd seem too that when the previous owner had the front panel replaced the collar was removed so the centre stitch seam doesn't match the centre seam down the back, that's annoying me...

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Eh but like you said it’s a fun little project. A good way to kill some time, test yourself and learn more. I think that’s what matters. So on that count good job!

 

[ton312]

Awesome project! Jacket looks superb to me. Talk about sustainability, love everything about it. Well done!

 

[Johnf]

i tore my Eastman early war 2 panel and I was miffed to say the least until I saw Monty in His Devon Fleece with pretty well the same patch repair on the lower back.

 

[Luigi79]

Hi
I look that you are very able in repair tears
If you can explain the way you use i would be very grateful

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I'd wear that Jacket! Wow great work on the repairs!