Rough Wear B3

[aswatland]

I bought this RW B3 sometime ago from the States. I have replaced the cuffs with shearling from an old B3 which I use for repairs.The rest of the shearling is strong and very supple. This is Rw's second contract, 42-5111 and dates from late 1941 early 1942. I love the contrast between the russet facings and the seal body. It's a size 42 long and even has the original white cloth tag in the pocket! The zipper is a triple marked deco Talon and is in pristine condition. Clearly the jacket had little wear in the War.

 

[Edward]

Nice! Looks like a well warm one for the winter months!

 

[Feraud]

Why was contrasting colored leather used?

 

[aswatland]

Why was contrasting colored leather used?

Good question. There are several possible reasons: 1. The manufacturers had quantities of russet horsehide to use up.
2. The contrasting facings gave the jacket a distinctive and smart look!
3. Russet horsehide was more plentiful than seal coloured?

There may be other reasons, which I am interested to know about.

 

[Edward]

I'd always figured it was a case of what materials were avaialble rather than purely a design choice - the pre war jackets seem to be one colour all over?

 

[Mountain Pilot]

RW B-3

I recently purchased from U.S. Authentic, the same replica version with contrasting leather. I added the USAAF decal to the left shoulder, and an embossed name tag, with black lettering. All this to match one I saw in an Army Navy Surplus store. From your pix, I can gladly see how the jacket will look in time. . .Wunderbar!

 

[Feraud]

I recently purchased from U.S. Authentic, the same replica version with contrasting leather. I added the USAAF decal to the left shoulder, and an embossed name tag, with black lettering. All this to match one I saw in an Army Navy Surplus store. From your pix, I can gladly see how the jacket will look in time. . .Wunderbar!

You should post a few pics when you have time.

 

[Mountain Pilot]

Check out my posting "U.S. Authentic B-3 contrasting leather"

As per your request for a pic of the new B-3. Here you go. . .
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2908577600101074773mfGiBo

 

[SamMarlowPI]

i have a B3 i got off of ebay for about a $100...i absolutely love it...really nice shearling and leather, little worn on the elbow, but looks good..only problem is it needs a zipper stop on the right hand side...can anyone help me out? i dont want to replace the whole track and i have the zipper, just need to sew or clamp or something, a little stop on the bottom thanks all! i wear it anyway, but with winter coming, i want to close it :eusa_doh:

 

[aswatland]

i have a B3 i got off of ebay for about a $100...i absolutely love it...really nice shearling and leather, little worn on the elbow, but looks good..only problem is it needs a zipper stop on the right hand side...can anyone help me out? i dont want to replace the whole track and i have the zipper, just need to sew or clamp or something, a little stop on the bottom thanks all! i wear it anyway, but with winter coming, i want to close it :eusa_doh:

I bought a naval M422a jacket once which had a flight suit zip in it with two sliders. I was able to use one of the sliders and remove the puller and squeeze it on the bottom of the zip tape. It worked well.So if you have a spare slider this might be the answer.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

so u took the extra slider and squeezed it on to the bottom so it acted as the stop? i think thats what mean lol that sounds pretty slick, i mite try that...or find a another stopper and squeeze it on the zipper bottom...ill work on it thanks