H.L.B. Corp B-3 (A.K.A: Old smokey!!!)

[Dumpster Diver]

This was from Ebay around 2006 or 07, I payed under 200 US for it because the Back Was split from the shoulder all the way around and under the Gusset pannel, add to it that its a Size 38. Although it was done like bacon when I got it and literally saturated in nicotine it was relatively NOS considering because it had Khaki Tape from the pacific theatre of operations and was seldom needed out there by the owner.

Maybe You know how to date them from the contract No.

This was worn by someone named T. A. Miller by the nametag, please let me know where to get some info if theres an archive file perhaps.

Wonder what its actually worth too...hmm.

Im very proud of this one, BUT There was an unfortunate series of events I will not get into Right here in this thread, concerning some serious Vandalism that happened here back in Febuary...that I feel is too personal a matter to discuss at this moment but a lot of my collection was stained with smoked Mussel oil by a former bandmate of mine with some severe mental health issues, lets just not go there for now ok.

That being said, this one got goobered and smelled very fishy, and some leathers I own had begun to grow mold even from that, Due to limited space it was kept in storage so I didnt find it like that until it had dried on. Not a lot I could do to prevent it at that point. It would have made some of you gag in disgust. Not to mention the NICOTINE!!! WHOAH!!!

I gave the inside fleece a Real good Brushing, and spray-out with some diluted Euchalan and *cough cough*

Well well, if it isnt the smoker!!!

At least it smelled of a premium american Brand.

Now, I have no before pics of the split, or Zipper, but I assure you all the buckles and snaps were green and caked in oxide that Just wouldnt polish out.

I put a new Zip tucked under the original tape and It was all very Tedious and time consuming work but I believe turned out alright in the end.

Time for a Bath in some saddle soap, It was horrifying to see how much came out of it when I got the suds frothing!!!

Was long overdue for some oil treatment anyway.

Its probly a good thing Its too small for me to wear because Its one BEAUTIFUL CUT!!!

Heres a couple examples from last night. The Care and love I put into my Jackets knows no bounds, thats why they made such a Target for Vandalism, We will not get into that type of sick psychology Just yet, theres plenty more to clean around here, most of you couldnt take it.

But ITs been through worse I guess.

thanks for checking it out Boys!

 

[ButteMT61]

OK dude, you've been here long enough to post image links properly!

Copy a URL above (pick one).
type [ i m g ]paste URL here[ / i m g ]
Now, in my example above, remove all the spaces.
Your images magically appear here and the lazy TFL'ers like me won't have to do the work ourselves lol

 

[aswatland]

You have done a very good restoration job on this B-3. The contract dates to mid 1941.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Ok, I will use this Thread to begin Practicing Embedding Images, however I dont have a photobucket or understand the URL thing exactly. Im Very Computer Illiterate. Theres some More Detailed pics I need to take of things anyway, plus it looks better being worn than on my cheap laminate flooring. But its not like we need to see a GIANT picture of my nasty filthy-drity Grease Rags either! Haw haw!

thanks for the compliment Andrew, I spent a solid 6 hours on this so far, not counting previous cleaning and treatment or including repair work. It does take a passion and a bit of know-how doing all the work as correctly as possible, theres more than a few Jackets out there with inferior Repairs, with premature wear and abuse for sure!

speaking of Abuse...

Forgot to mention there was a deep slash across the front panel Just above the name tag. was real fresh too, Like someone else who ordered it Was in a hurry to open the box and Stabbed it with a box cutter..thats the ONLY explanation, the previous owner didnt know how to look after these Jackets obviously. (nor did the person who shipped the jacket Know how to pack a Box right either I guess) these people also dont seem to know proper Fitting jackets as per the Torn Back. and before I forget the little Pannels Between the buckles are Red Veg Tanned Leather and they had both DRY ROTTED away more or less and you can see my Patch Jobs with the Very white Fleece.

Seems to me this Jacket is very stiff because it was never really broken in hard. Being Less worn, and therefore much Cleaner the air tends to get right into to the hide, whereas On some REALLY dirty Jackets that have been worn and worn and worn with Years of Engine oil saturated into the leather tend to be a lot more Rugged and solid at this age, I think the dirt stuck to the oil forms a crude but effective protective barrier against the moisture, and oxygen and oxide getting to the hide. Very Scientific!

but its still common for the leather to become brittle, and stiff, then someone tries it on, and bends down to tie their Shoes...Whooopssss.

I have another like that, you know..the whole; *fat guy in a little coat* thing (hahah)

In the near future there will be additional Resto Jobs that will be posted of some real *Dumpster diver* specials for all you other grimesters out there in Dumpster land!


The only other real issues with this one are rust stains on the collar from when the buckles went bad. Leather is INCREDIBLE! all the metal snaps are done like dinner, yet the leather is Just hanging in there still.

 

[ButteMT61]

I thought that was a skirt :rofl:

 

[Sloan1874]

You don't need to use photobucket any more. Simply click on the 'tree' icon on the bar above the quick reply text box. Then click on the 'computer' tag. Then 'select file' button. Go to the 'downloads' folder on your computer, and double click the image you want to upload. You'll see it's URL appear on the screen, then you simply click 'upload' and you get this beaut! .

 

[ButteMT61]

You don't need to use photobucket any more. Simply click on the 'tree' icon on the bar above the quick reply text box. Then click on the 'computer' tag. Then 'select file' button. Go to the 'downloads' folder on your computer, and double click the image you want to upload. You'll see it's URL appear on the screen, then you simply click 'upload' and you get this beaut! View attachment 7224 .

Oh yeah, they did upgrade didn't they? Good deal.

 

[Sloan1874]

Makes life a lot easier that's for sure. I wonder how the new of owner of that last Hippy Jacket is getting on. If he's been working those sleeves since September he should just about be able to flex his arms without breaking out in a sweat.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

See if this works. thanks for the computer tips!

PS. This thing still doesnt smell quite Right, and it stained my fingernails brown.

Heres a couple with the accessories, give you a good idea how small this thing is on me! Er...maybe its not small, Maybe Im just on the heavy side.

 

[ButteMT61]

Looks great! And it can't smell worse than my hands from staining deck furniture yesterday lol

 

[Sloan1874]

Sleeves look fine. I think you could rock it without getting any odd looks. How does the B-6's warmth compare to an Irvin's?

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Thanks!

Yeah, Except for my *I had too much caffeine and not enough Water today-dry eyes Face.*

And the pants arent in keeping with the Khaki reg either..hah. theres not a lot of elbow Room inside a size 38 for me, I need a 46 now, Im not 18 anymore.

Ya furniture stain, Notably I wore gloves to do some staining this summer, but latex gloves can also make your hands smell weird too I guess.

I would say the Devon style Irvin I have is warm enough in body and sleeve without a Fresh coat of Neatsfoot oil, and While the B-3 is about the same temp wise, I find my B-3 Is a little better because of the Boxy Collar to cut down the wind a bit.

BUT..the Room of the Irvin in the cuff is much more Relaxed and sort of comfy, the B-3 I find has finicky cuffs, its hard to wear the Right thing under a B-3 less an Irvin is more forgiving and free and easy in the mid section too. B-3s are sort of Streamline and tailored, Irvin has a looser Sag that I like on a casual day, and looks good with almost ANY casual wear.

The Irvin Is heavier to me I think.

at the shoulders is a little more giving with my B-3 because of the tighter waist Cut giving more upper baggyness in the shoulers.

 

[ButteMT61]

Wife grabbed me to do the "honey do's" during football. Normally, for many reasons, I'd grab the gloves too. This time I made a mistake. I've had migraines since yesterday and I know it's from the stain.

I dig the jacket. The outfit looks great!

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Yeah, ahahahah...I finished a big Bookcase my grand father made along with some smaller tables and chairs this summer...big mistake to bring them in after only 3 days...talk about Headaches and Swollen puffy eyes..bah Good riddance to my Brain cells.

That stuff will kill ya! Indeed.