COMPARING TWO ORIGINAL B3s

[aswatland]

Recently i took possession of a duo tone B3 by H. Bernstein in a size 42. It is a transitional B3 in that the maker used hand dyed shearling for the cuffs and one size panel. The rest of the fleece is machine spray dyed. Prior to late 1941 B3s were made using the hand dyed method. The Bernstein contract dates from 1942. There is a picture of one in the Eastman Golden book. The jacket is in remarkably good condition with very little wear to the cuffs and hem. But it has seen service!

The second jacket also does not have the maker on the label and is also a size 42. This contract also dates to 1942 and is machine sprayed a seal brown. The facings are a little lighter than the seal brown shearling, but darker than the russet facings on the Bernstein. It was worn by a Lieutenant in the USAAF and has virtually no wear and I would describe it as "near mint".

The photos show the differences between the two jackets.

Bernstein

No-name maker 42-21700p

Honey-coloured veg tanned fleece of the Bernstein

Chrome Tanned fleece of the Non-name maker

Bernstein pocket

21700p pocket-note the differences in shape.

Hand dyed cuffs on the Bernstein

Machine sprayed cuffs

 

[aswatland]

Part 2

Bernstein spec label

21700p label

Buckles on the Bernstein

21700p

Collar seam on the Bernstein

21700p

Bernstein's tripple marked Talon zip

Tripple talon on 21700p

 

[jamespibworth@n]

Thanks for sharing those with us, just great!:eusa_clap

Interesting for me to see the some of the constriction differences from say an Irvin, for example the inside sleeve seams are not taped and the zip is tape is ‘exposed’ on one side.

I am under the understanding that B3s have not lasted as well as Irvin’s due to the skins used. Is this correct?

James

 

[aswatland]

Thanks James, You are quite right about the fleeces used for B3s. They are usually not as robust as those used for Irvins due to the type of fleece used. My two originals are exceptions and are wearable jackets. Here are a couple more details:

USAAF decal on the Bernstein

Lieutenant bar on the insignia tag on the other jacket.

 

[Mike1973]

A great couple of survivors! Where do you keep this wonderful collection of jackets though?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Leaky, moth-infested garden shed?

bk

 

[aswatland]

Leaky, moth-infested garden shed?

bk

Too true. The jackets soak up the rain!lol

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Sheepskin makes good insulation for that leaky roof.

bk

 

[aswatland]

Quite! Now which Irvin or B3 shall I test on the roof?