Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 16, 2013 I recently acquired this B3 jacket. It has some interesting field repairs to the rear of the shoulders. Were the A3 leather shearling flight pants the standard issue trousers meant to be worn in conjunction with this type of jacket? Here are the front and back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted July 16, 2013 Remnants of the USAAF emblem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted July 16, 2013 Field repair on right rear shoulder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted July 16, 2013 Left rear shoulder field repair... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted July 16, 2013 Tag... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted July 16, 2013 Lastly, the zipper... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 16, 2013 Share #7 Posted July 16, 2013 What you have there is actually a B6. They are even more rare than examples of B3s but are often overlooked. I have seen mostly Aero production models but I have another maker in my collection as well. These were made of shorter shearling than the B3, with epaulets and the distinctive B6 back and side zips. These were I believe usually issued with A5 pants, also of Aero production. You see examples of this jacket show up in the Aleutian Campaign. I have two examples of B6 jackets and will post them tomorrow when i gat a chance. Do the side zips work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted July 16, 2013 Your are absolutely correct this is a B6. I assumed this was a B3 when what I was reading was the B3 moth treatment on the label. Makes sense now why I thought the shearling was noticeably shorter or less thicker. All zippers are fully functional. Just gives me an excuse to purchase a B3 now! Do you still think the price was good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 16, 2013 Share #9 Posted July 16, 2013 I would say it was quite fair for the example you have. They don't command the same prices as B3s but are surely more rare. You really do have a nice example, with all working zippers and only a few repairs. A mint example can got for lots but most have sustained damage and acquired repairs because of the thinness of the shearling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 16, 2013 Share #10 Posted July 16, 2013 Really cool to see the Crown zips on the side still working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27thdivcollector Posted July 16, 2013 Share #11 Posted July 16, 2013 Very, very nice jacket, is it possible to tell me what the rest of the treatment label reads. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebuddy Posted July 16, 2013 Share #12 Posted July 16, 2013 envious !!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 16, 2013 Share #13 Posted July 16, 2013 Carl are you looking for a B6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebuddy Posted July 16, 2013 Share #14 Posted July 16, 2013 Rob im always looking for stuff like that !! you know me !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 17, 2013 Share #15 Posted July 17, 2013 Here is one of my B6s, it is An Aero contract, in fairly decent shape. The only thing really wrong with it is the two side zips appear to have given up the ghost long ago, looks like they would have been Crown from the teeth. It seems to be a fairly standard example of B6 construction in fine shape for its age, a little flakey but no holes or rips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 17, 2013 Share #16 Posted July 17, 2013 Here is the other. It may actually be my favorite of the two. It was made by Bristol MFG and has seen quite a life. The from panels appear to be replacements as they have no pockets and I have never seen one with side straps usually the are zips (probably a switch over when it was repaired. It must have still been in service when the front was replaced because a pocket to clip O2 equipment is rigged to the upper right front. All this said it has a nasty rip on the back. Im not sure I want to repair it as it still displays well. The AAF wings are big and still bright on the shoulder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted July 17, 2013 Very nice Jacket, Rob! You don't happen to have any painted bomber jackets do? I was very close to purchasing one from the bomber "Nine-O-Nine" a few months ago but I decided to purchase a very nice paratrooper helmet instead. Here's a better photo of my B6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted July 17, 2013 Very, very nice jacket, is it possible to tell me what the rest of the treatment label reads. Thanks. The bottom half of the tag says: Type B-3 Moth Treatment R40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted July 17, 2013 Here is the other. It may actually be my favorite of the two. It was made by Bristol MFG and has seen quite a life. The from panels appear to be replacements as they have no pockets and I have never seen one with side straps usually the are zips (probably a switch over when it was repaired. It must have still been in service when the front was replaced because a pocket to clip O2 equipment is rigged to the upper right front. All this said it has a nasty rip on the back. Im not sure I want to repair it as it still displays well. The AAF wings are big and still bright on the shoulder. I think I like the first one better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_lits Posted July 17, 2013 Share #20 Posted July 17, 2013 I do have a painted D1. You dont see a lot of painted sheepskins. Nine-O-Nine, huh. A2? What did that go for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted July 17, 2013 I really like that, then again it's hard not to like any painted jacket! I got out at $2000.00. I think it was down to myself and one other person. I think it went for about $2100.00. This is it. Something tells me I should have went for this instead of the paratrooper helmet I bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27thdivcollector Posted July 21, 2013 Share #22 Posted July 21, 2013 There are some beautiful jackets on this thread fellas, thanks for sharing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now