Original Rough Wear B-3 from the AC 17756 contract

[aswatland]

This is a recent addition to my collection, an extremely rare original RW B-3 from their first B-3 contract dating to the spring of 1941. It is a low production number- B154. As you can see from the photos the jacket is in very good condition without the usual wear to the cuffs and hem and the fleece is in robust condition without any repairs.

As is common with these jackets there is evidence of splicing which was done in the factory during production. It is made from veg tanned, hand dyed sheepskin giving it a typical redskin appearance. Notice the mis-matched colour of the back panels. The label is in pristine condition and it's a 42 Regular. I have replaced the original Talon zip, which was fractured in several places with the correct NOS Deco Talon. The zip slide/puller is from the original zip, as is the leather toggle. Redskin B-3s don't get much better than this!

It fits me well, although this 71 year old jacket is only for occasional wear!

 

[aswatland]

 

[Grayland]

Wow, beautiful jacket, beautiful condition, perfect fit! Did you condition the leather at all?

 

[rocketeer]

Doesnt look like it's had a hard life, not seen one that good in years.
Ebay or private purchase?
J

 

[aswatland]

Ebay UK. Poorly listed so a great deal! I believe the jacket has been in the UK since the War.

 

[aswatland]

Wow, beautiful jacket, beautiful condition, perfect fit! Did you condition the leather at all?

Thanks. I gave it a light coat of Pecards.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Beautiful. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Magnificent jacket! the fleece looks beautiful!

D

 

[majormajor]

A beautiful jacket. Congratulations on a brilliant aquisition!

 

[ducatimonster]

WOW ! Extremely nice jacket
Lovely reddish leather !

 

[Sloan1874]

Fantastic looking jacket, Andrew. One thing that has put me off getting a B-3 or a B-6 is keeping the fleece clean. Given your experience, how do they compare with Irvins?

 

[Worf]

Lucky dog, the perfect winter coat/jacket. I toyed with one myself but went the Mackinaw, Toggle Coat route. Looks marvelous and the fact that its a REAL B3 makes it even more astounding. Good pickup!

Worf

 

[aswatland]

Fantastic looking jacket, Andrew. One thing that has put me off getting a B-3 or a B-6 is keeping the fleece clean. Given your experience, how do they compare with Irvins?

Do you mean visually or to wear?

 

[Sloan1874]

My concern is that because they're white (well, compared to Irvins) they become grubby looking quickly. I know some on the Lounge say that the lanolin in the fleece helps it resist dirt, but I was wondering if this was the case.

 

[lewisskimonster]

Now thats what I would call an E-bay Score!!!!!!!! Way to go

 

[aswatland]

The fleece is actually the same shade as some of my original Irvins. I try to avoid cleaning fleece jackets unless they are very dirty.

 

[Sloan1874]

Cool, good to know. I'd be terrified to put a vintage fleece into the cleaners for fear of how it came back!

 

[aswatland]

I would never take a vintage jacket to the dry cleaners.

 

[Sloan1874]

I wouldn't have thought so!

 

[Gancho]

Fantastic jacket!