The Deck Jacket thread.

[breezer]

not bidding, got far too many jackets...........having said that I am bidding on a navy blue deck jacket........same model I had in the mid 80's.........one has finally turned up on ebay

Aero A2
Aero Waterfront
IH N1
Stevenson Overall repro flight jacket
LeftField NYC bomber
Schott varsity

on top of all that are the coach jackets, wind breakers and parkas that help me deal with the scottish weather....

 

[Bfd70]

Iron heart in the classifieds

 

[Will Zach]

So I finally was able to take Silverman's N-1 for a spin. The shell is stiff 17-oz rough canvas. I like it on a coat; it is definitely not a smooth fancy jungle cloth like in FW, IH or Dehen's, but what do you expect for 95 quid. It has a solid, utilitarian, workwear (lol) feel. Storm cuffs are one of the most solid I have seen, faux nylon fur lining will keep you warm in just a shirt underneath down to 5C. One small internal vertical pocket just big enough to fit a minimalist, credit-card sized wallet, pocket closure is a solid-feeling snap. Buttons are solid, the #5 YKK zipper smooth. Overall I am quite happy, great value imo.

 

[CatsCan]

Looks good on you mate. Enjoy the great outdoors in your new jacket!

 

[Herrvallmo]

I LOVE my Pike Bros "Omaha" deck jacket, for the price of 300euro it delivers a lot of jacket!

The jacket is crazy warm, so perfect for me here in the northern parts of Sweden though this year has been super warm(I don't mind seeing +10c in October so I wont complain) so the deck jacket is mostly seeing the closet for now.

Some pics(sorry for the toe haha).

 

[Peacoat]

That is a nice jacket. I believe Pike Brothers uses the 100% wool lining in their Omaha deck jackets. If so, and with the storm cuffs, your jacket is, indeed, a warm one.

My original issue mid 60s deck jacket uses a nylon fleece lining, and it is warm. Would rather have the wool lining, as I'm not allergic to wool, but I have no complaints about the warmth of my jacket. And especially no complaints as it was free. A friend of mine who had been in the Navy gave it to me when he outgrew it.

If I remember correctly, the original deck jackets had a wool lining. The Navy was looking for a substitute for wool as it was becoming scarce during the war. It settled on a combination of wool and alpaca.

This was a warm combination, but required dry cleaning, as did 100% wool. As the deck jacket was a work garment, it required frequent cleanings. No dry cleaning facilities were available onboard Navy ships. So, the Navy switched to the nylon fleece lining in the early to mid 60s.

 

[Herrvallmo]

That is a nice jacket. I believe Pike Brothers uses the 100% wool lining in their Omaha deck jackets. If so, and with the storm cuffs, your jacket is, indeed, a warm one.

My original issue mid 60s deck jacket uses a nylon fleece lining, and it is warm. Would rather have the wool lining, as I'm not allergic to wool, but I have no complaints about the warmth of my jacket. And especially no complaints as it was free. A friend of mine who had been in the Navy gave it to me when he outgrew it.

If I remember correctly, the original deck jackets had a wool lining. The Navy was looking for a substitute for wool as it was becoming scarce during the war. It settled on a combination of wool and alpaca.

This was a warm combination, but required dry cleaning, as did 100% wool. As the deck jacket was a work garment, it required frequent cleanings. No dry cleaning facilities were available onboard Navy ships. So, the Navy switched to the nylon fleece lining in the early to mid 60s.

Yeah it's 100% wool lining

I would love a original vintage one in navy or something cool, but they are not easy to get here in Europe sadly(or they cost a kidney) and the tax+import fee from the US is kinda brutal but I'll keep on looking haha

 

[CatsCan]

I would love a original vintage one in navy or something cool, but they are not easy to get here in Europe sadly(or they cost a kidney) and the tax+import fee from the US is kinda brutal but I'll keep on looking haha

Welcome to the Lounge, Herrvallmo!
I have worn several of Pike Brothers Deck Jackets for a long time. And I still wear one of them occasionally. Personally I am not too fond of their cut/dimensions, they are a bit boxy for my liking and the sleeves shaped too column like but this is purely a question of my personal taste. They are very utilarian and warm jackets and materials are top notch. I wish they'd refine the cut in the future.
I guess authentic period 1940s ones are getting rarer in the US, too. But the Japanese have developed a deep love for all things vintage US made since the late 1960s. For this reason you will find most originals in Japan these days and many of them in outstanding shape and condition. Plus, Japan has very good shipping policy and Europe a very good tax policy for Japan. Somtimes shipping is cheap and tax is none existent or very low. It takes a while to find out good internet sellers, but many are on ebay.com

Enjoy your jacket!
Cats

 

[Will Zach]

Welcome to the Lounge, Herrvallmo!
I have worn several of Pike Brothers Deck Jackets for a long time. And I still wear one of them occasionally. Personally I am not too fond of their cut/dimensions, they are a bit boxy for my liking and the sleeves shaped too column like but this is purely a question of my personal taste. They are very utilarian and warm jackets and materials are top notch. I wish they'd refine the cut in the future.
I guess authentic period 1940s ones are getting rarer in the US, too. But the Japanese have developed a deep love for all things vintage US made since the late 1960s. For this reason you will find most originals in Japan these days and many of them in outstanding shape and condition. Plus, Japan has very good shipping policy and Europe a very good tax policy for Japan. Somtimes shipping is cheap and tax is none existent or very low. It takes a while to find out good internet sellers, but many are on ebay.com

Enjoy your jacket!
Cats

I have a sinking feeling that given my addictive personality, N-1s could become my next rabbit hole. Like all addicts, I started small, a 99 quid Silverman's N-1. I like the timeless, simple design of the N-1. I would prefer them a bit fitted, not boxy.

So what is everyone's favorite N-1?

 

[mumpy]

I have a sinking feeling that given my addictive personality, N-1s could become my next rabbit hole. Like all addicts, I started small, a 99 quid Silverman's N-1. I like the timeless, simple design of the N-1. I would prefer them a bit fitted, not boxy.

So what is everyone's favorite N-1?

In terms of fit, I liked most the Freewheelers N-1. Best alpaca I have ever seen on it too. Stitching was pretty wobbly and unfortunately I got some weight and it was too small so I sold it.

I now have an RMC N-1 which I like but not as much as the Freewheelers one. It is also lighter and easier to wear where I live.

 

[El Marro]

So what is everyone's favorite N-1?

Big fan of the IH N-1. The rare jacket that looks good and is really warm all at the same time.

 

[CatsCan]

Sounds crazy but right next to my authentic 1978 A-2 Deck Jacket my favorite N-1 at the moment when it comes to fit and function is a cheapo one from Mil-Tec (paid 75 Euro for it). Materials are by far not up to the higher end makers, but it looks surprisingly good except the low placement of pockets although very practical. Colour is spot on, cut is great, faux fur looks good and is warm enough for autumn. For real winter I have to layer or put on another jacket. I got rid of the poor buttons and replaced them with proper ones.

 

[MrProper]

Sounds crazy but right next to my authentic 1978 A-2 Deck Jacket my favorite N-1 at the moment when it comes to fit and function is a cheapo one from Mil-Tec (paid 75 Euro for it). Materials are by far not up to the higher end makers, but it looks surprisingly good except the low placement of pockets although very practical. Colour is spot on, cut is great, faux fur looks good and is warm enough for autumn. For real winter I have to layer or put on another jacket. I got rid of the poor buttons and replaced them with proper ones.

I agree with MIL-TEC. I paid around 90 EUR and got a lot of jacket for it. The sleeves could be a cm longer, but it's ok. 100% cotton on the outside, 100% plastic on the inside.
But it looks good and I still like the boxy cut. I'll take a few pictures when I have light. It's perfectly usable as a grab'n'go jacket if you don't want it to be leather.

 

[CatsCan]

Some pics of my Mil-Tec. I ordered three different sizes and kept the one that fit the best. The sleeves are the most fitted of all my Deck Jackets. Bronson's are a tad too short on me. But with Mil-Tec I could even roll the cuff up like I see on many of the old Navy Photographs. True, the liner is polyester but is warm and looks good with the gray fibers blended in between the brownish main "fur". I really like the fit on me as I am of slender stature (right under 6ft 2 in and 172 lbs). Pike Brothers is too boxy for my body type.

This jacket is quite well made for the price tag. If one pays close attention, the outer shell is not like the real "Jungle Cloth", it's more like a sort of a simpler bedford, but you have to look very close to notice this and it's of good quality. I like the inner pocket. I attatched better buttons and overpainted the U.S.N. stencil with a fabric marker for a better match with the originals.
Of course the zipper slide and pull are generic. But no one will get close enough to really notice.

I think this N-1 is a good and cheap option for people who are new to this style and don't want to pay big money for the real stuff. To be honest, this N-1 gets the most wear out of all I have. I wish I had newer pics, these are from last winter. This fall with shorter hair, longer beard it looks the bit. Plus, for these pics I didn't especially combine it with the pants, shirts, shoes I normally combine this jacket with.

This is how the fabric looks up close. Not the heavy and tight "jungle cloth", but you really have to get very close to notice.

 

[CatsCan]

I'll take a few pictures when I have light. It's perfectly usable as a grab'n'go jacket if you don't want it to be leather.

Looking forward to see fit pics on you!

 

[MrProper]

View attachment 1729935956354.jpeg

View attachment 1729935923100.jpeg

 

[Will Zach]

Very cool.

@CatsCan, what size on the Mil-Tec do you suggest for a guy 5'9" and 145 lbs (175cm and 65kgs)?

 

[MrProper]

Very cool.

@CatsCan, what size on the Mil-Tec do you suggest for a guy 5'9" and 145 lbs (175cm and 65kgs)?

Mine is a 44 at 196 cm/90 kg

 

[Will Zach]

Mine is a 44 at 196 cm/90 kg

Thanks, it is a data point, but you are a giant compared to me, lol.

I may be looking at a 38 or 40. Are they true to size, or oversized like most military stuff?

 

[CatsCan]

@CatsCan, what size on the Mil-Tec do you suggest for a guy 5'9" and 145 lbs (175cm and 65kgs)?

They are cut and sized very well for us Europeans unlike many asian brands. I would suggest trying size 38. It is the smallest size they come in. But it will be larger on you than on me in my pictures (it's a size 38 as well). As this jacket is not as warm as the Pike Brothers version you will like to have space for layering a sweater anyway and this is what it will give you.