What are Mint Irvin trousers with mint lightning zips worth?

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Hi
can anyone give a price range of mint Irvin sheepskin trousers, what are they worth?
Lighning zips perfect, good large size, label present.
Any idea about the price range? one on Ebay.co.uk right now.
thx a lot.

 

[aswatland]

Irvin trousers in near mint condition can sell for anything up to £400. Too often they are bought for the zips and the sheepskin to repair jackets. The problem with them is how will they be used today. They display well, but wearing them is an option in the winter!

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I really hate to think of people Cannibalizing them for Parts.

Thats Just plain ignorance in this day and age, I see it all the time with vintage music Equiptment...people really are convinced they are doing a good service by trashing old gear in some way.

I paid Less than $400 Canadian for My pair of Irvin Trousers but they are well used and no doubt by someone with a motorbike, I should like to add This is THE ONLY PAIR I have ever come across in my neck of the woods out in the wild!!! This was at least 14 years ago. Now most military antique stuff is non-existing here.

Wow, You say 400 pounds! --ho ho ho!!! man!!! Must see some pics there sir!


blasphemous...well no...but not practical to wear them casually for that matter..lord knows we tried. They are pretty darn RARE and Now being 70 years old should very well be displayed. I mean come on, dont you think!

IF I had a collection of War Motorbikes in my basement, The trousers would be proudly hanging up at the bar along with the rest of my gear..you know!

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Thx, to both.
A last question. Why the ones on Ebay.co.uk dont sell? they are listed an relisted for much less than 400 UK Punds
thx.

 

[rocketeer]

The problem with them is how will they be used today. They display well, but wearing them is an option in the winter!

I 100% agree on this as not everyone whom collects flight gear wants all of it, and wearing it all at a display, walking around would be a bit of a pain. Also matching the trousers with a well worn jacket may look odd and the person with the mint jacket may not want to spend that much on them.

I really hate to think of people Cannibalizing them for Parts.

Thats Just plain ignorance in this day and age, I see it all the time with vintage music Equiptment...people really are convinced they are doing a good service by trashing old gear in some way.

I paid Less than $400 Canadian for My pair of Irvin Trousers but they are well used and no doubt by someone with a motorbike, I should like to add This is THE ONLY PAIR I have ever come across in my neck of the woods out in the wild!!! This was at least 14 years ago. Now most military antique stuff is non-existing here.

Wow, You say 400 pounds! --ho ho ho!!! man!!! Must see some pics there sir!


blasphemous...well no...but not practical to wear them casually for that matter..lord knows we tried. They are pretty darn RARE and Now being 70 years old should very well be displayed. I mean come on, dont you think!

IF I had a collection of War Motorbikes in my basement, The trousers would be proudly hanging up at the bar along with the rest of my gear..you know!

Irvin trousers came into their own on the post war market as motorcycle gear because nothing else was available. They would have been cheapi(ish) from the many surplus stores as I suspect rationing was still on clothing. Sheepskin is incredibly warm but you would not want to get it wet which is why that sort of thing for bikers lives in the past.
Wearing them today, even at military events is a problem due to their weight and also, as events are usually held in the summer months, totally impractical, where as a jacket can be taken off and held or placed on a chair for display.
It may be a shame to cannibalise them but at least they go to keep something else in good shape. It is exactly the same with the American version.
So will YOU bid on them simply to save them from this fate worse than death? And where will they be displayed? Donated to a museum or simply a few pics on here for us to enjoy for a few days.

But yes... lets see some pics.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Thats all I have...Just wondering why no bids and listed and relisted...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIG-WWII...188?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4812b504

 

[rocketeer]

I see these are not mint. Candidates for cannibalisation for sure. The fleece looks dry, as it is they are torn and probably only good for display, I doubt they could be repaired successfully for wearing.

 

[Dr H]

Sorry, but those aren't mint.
On the other hand, these look very nice (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131441421151?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT).
Are you in the market for a pair of trousers Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted?

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Yes I might sell one pair, mint with Lightning zips and label.
I with think about it...
Will list them here if decided.

 

[Dr H]

Sorry, I don't make myself clear - I thought you wanted to buy, rather than sell.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Sorry not buy, sell...just wanted to probe the price level...in case I decide to sell.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Everytime i see trousers mentioned i just gotta show my grandfathers:

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Maybe I will cut out that pocket to sew (or glue) onto my Aero Irvin....I always wanted a pocket on that jacket.

 

[aswatland]

I see these are not mint. Candidates for cannibalisation for sure. The fleece looks dry, as it is they are torn and probably only good for display, I doubt they could be repaired successfully for wearing.

Mint!!! It must have changed its meaning recently! These trousers are in a poor state and the best thing about them is the Dot British zips.

 

[aswatland]

Everytime i see trousers mentioned i just gotta show my grandfathers:

These trousers were made by Wareings and date to 1941.

 

[Dr H]

Maybe I will cut out that pocket to sew (or glue) onto my Aero Irvin....I always wanted a pocket on that jacket.

I couldn't quite understand that; you must have had your tongue firmly in your cheek...

Really interesting to see trousers with the braces/suspenders present.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Best I have seen ever...mine just look like trash if I compare...wow!..bravo!

 

[Edward]

Maybe I will cut out that pocket to sew (or glue) onto my Aero Irvin....I always wanted a pocket on that jacket.

Eep! I hope you're kidding!!

Srsly, though.... it wouldn't take much to have the pocket replicated and added to an Irvin. Given the nature of the design, I think one pocket, a la a B2, would be nice.... I've often wondered whether there were any field mods done in this manner, but I've never seen one on a genuine jacket.

 

[Dr H]

Irvin trousers in near mint condition can sell for anything up to £400.

Have you ever seen any go for higher than that, Andrew?

 

[aswatland]

No, Ian I have not.