ALL ORIGINAL Irvin RAF type Jackets - Loving that Wolf in sheeps' clothing!

[aswatland]

IAC appear to have concentrated mainly on producing parachutes from 1941 onwards. I have seen several Irvins from this contract and they are generally not as well made as late '30s/early War IAC jackets. They have many of the characteristics associated by IAC. I have seen named pre-War jackets from IAC with miss-matched belts and very narrow belt loops.

 

[Gee]

Thanks again, I'll chalk it up to IAC then.

 

[Gee]

Just had a look at the Aero Leathers website where they have a nice looking original for sale with a very curious description - apparently it was made by Waring and Gillow, who were supposedly the Harrods of their time. I remember Waring and Gillow as manufacturers of high end furniture when I was young. Can't remember any mention of them being involved in Irvin jacket production in any of the threads on this forum. Say it ain't so Joe!

 

[aswatland]

This is very interesting but I suspect someone has got confused with Wareing and Co. This particular jacket was more likely made in London by Robinson and Ensum. They may have supplied Harrods and Waring and Gillows London store, but they certainly had several contracts with the AM until they when bankrupt in 1943. Waring and Gillow did make kit bags and leather jerkins for the RAF but I have never seen an Irvin with their label in it.

 

[fenaxton44]

This one is for Andrew or any one who can help please, i am looking for an original Irvin and wanted to know about sizing, im a size 44" chest in jackets normally, what size original Irvin would fit me, i have seen size charts but are these sizes for going over your uniforms so making the jacket larger than the label size? i usually only wear a T-shirt or sweat shirt under a jacket. thank you for your help guys and girls.

 

[aswatland]

You would need a size 6 or 7 in an original Irvin. However I would ask for the actual measurements as there was considerable variation between makers/contracts. The sizes in the Irvin chart assume a service uniform is worn underneath.

 

[Mark158]

1942 Yellow-Hooded Irvin

Hi,
New to the Forum, and was wondering if I could get some advice from the undoubted Irvin experts here.
Have a 1942 dated Yellow-Hooded Irvin which I have owned since 2003. I met the chap who sold it to the local dealer I bought it from and he told me from whence it came.
It had hung - by the hood! - from the balustrade of a house in Stirling, Scotland for many years. This would probably be at the bottom of the stairs in direct sunlight from the front door; this has done nothing to preserve the leather, just gently 'cooking' it until practically no colour remained.
I treated it with hide food, then with leather preserving polish, but this needs to be re-done periodically, as the leather just seems to 'eat' anything I apply.
Have just heard about and purchased a tub of Pecard, and, since the photographs were taken, have begun its application - the result already seems amazing.
The label is named and I have looked into him, finding he was a Wireless Operator on the Liberators of No. 120 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command. So, the jacket does have provenance and has done some anti-submarine and convoy escort ops.
Being a reenactor as well as a collector, the jacket has regular use in all weathers, and, like all of you, I just love wearing it - so does my wife!!
Perhaps Dr. Swatland or Paddy might be able to tell me who made it and give me any further advice they may have.

Mark.

 

[aswatland]

Hi,
New to the Forum, and was wondering if I could get some advice from the undoubted Irvin experts here.
Have a 1942 dated Yellow-Hooded Irvin which I have owned since 2003. I met the chap who sold it to the local dealer I bought it from and he told me from whence it came.
It had hung - by the hood! - from the balustrade of a house in Stirling, Scotland for many years. This would probably be at the bottom of the stairs in direct sunlight from the front door; this has done nothing to preserve the leather, just gently 'cooking' it until practically no colour remained.
I treated it with hide food, then with leather preserving polish, but this needs to be re-done periodically, as the leather just seems to 'eat' anything I apply.
Have just heard about and purchased a tub of Pecard, and, since the photographs were taken, have begun its application - the result already seems amazing.
The label is named and I have looked into him, finding he was a Wireless Operator on the Liberators of No. 120 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command. So, the jacket does have provenance and has done some anti-sub and convoy escort ops.
Being a reenactor as well as a collector, the jacket has regular use in all weathers, and, like all of you, I just love wearing it - so does my wife!!
Perhaps Dr. Swatland or Paddy might be able to tell me who made it and give me any further advice they may have.

Mark.
http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k629/mfc21/[/IMG]

Welcome to TFL Mark. You have done a very good job of restoring your CC Irvin. Your 4637 contract jacket is rarely seen today suggesting a relatively small production run. The dark seam tapes, tan stitching and tear-drop zip pullers might point to DGL Ltd as a possible maker. A photo of the under arm vents would be helpful here. CC jackets are much harder to attribute to a specific maker than conventional Irvins as the shape of the collar, size of the rings help identify them. BTW the main zip slider/puller appear to be later replacements as this jacket would has a Dot main zip.

 

[Mark158]

Hello Andrew - Many thanks for your most interesting and erudite reply. I am puzzled as to how you managed to see the pictures, because when I tested the link it did not appear to work! Could you tell me, please, how to embed images into the actual message - I have given it my best shot, but remain defeated!
The replacement main zip - made by Swift - probably came from an RAF parachute bag, as I have seen quite a few of these, usually with a further metal puller attached. I did include a picture of the eight arm vents, but it seems to have failed to upload.
Mark

 

[aswatland]

To up load the pics here. Copy the last link ( the IMG Code) from the four options in Photobucket and just paste each picture in. You can only post a maximum of ten pics per post, so just make two consecutive posts. Here are two to get you started.

 

[Mark158]

Thank you - that is most kind, Andrew. I must be having a senior day, never mind a moment!! Have tried again to upload picture of arm vents to Photobucket, but it seems the image is corrupted. Will take another.
I cannot remember now why I was pulling such a pugnacious face in that first picture, but it is less than flattering! Good shot of the Irvin, though.
Of course I am intrigued as to who and where DGL were - could you elucidate, if possible, please?
I have seen various references in many posts in this thread regarding the possibility of you doing a book on the subject - I for one would hasten to purchase a copy, as you and some of the others have made me realise how little I really know about Irvins and their manufacture.
Mark.

 

[Mark158]

 

[Mark158]

 

[Mark158]

Will post the remainder later, Andrew - got to take my wife out for a bite to eat.
Many thanks for all your help.
Mark.

 

[aswatland]

D.G.L.Ltd was a London maker of motor cycle gear before the war. They were awarded their first AM contract for Irvins in 1940 and had several other subsequent ones. I'm not 100% certain your jacket is made by DGL. There are five known makers, Irvin Air Chute, Wareings, Robinson and Ensum, Links and DGL or DG Ltd (same firm) plus various nameless subcontractors.

 

[Mark158]

Hello again Andrew - many thanks for the additional gen. Posting remainder of Irvin pictures.

 

[Mark158]

As I said in a previous post, have purchased and begun the application of Pecard.
Just a few pictures showing how effective it has been on my jacket - I am most impressed!

 

[Mark158]

One of my favouirite Irvin pictures. Personally, I really like the yellow-hooded Irvins, and this shows a Fleet Air Arm type, of 888 Squadron, wearing his. As can be seen, a shipmate also wanted to be in the frame and managed to get his arm - and two fingers - into the shot! Picture came from this chap many years ago.

 

[Smithy]

Lovely Irvin Mark and the Pecards is doing a fine job at bringing the old girl back to life. Your reenactment pics are much enjoyed as well!

Love that photo of the 888 fellow and his two-fingered friend

 

[Mark158]

Hi Smithy,
Many thanks for the kind comments - have read this thread all through, so am well aware of your own interest and expertise in this subject! As you say, the Pecard is working its magic; just wish I had known of it when I got the jacket, it would have saved hours of lashing stuff into it that has only partially done the job!

The chap pictured took part in the Sicily and Salerno landings in 1943 and ended up in the East Indies Fleet, and, as I said, I just love the picture - glad that you do too.
Much has been said about yellow-hooded Irvins and Coastal Command - in my collection of original pictures, I have many showing them in the hands of Bomber men, including a shot taken at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Yorkshire in 1943, (76 Sqdn), where a chap can be clearly seen being fitted with such an Irvin by a WAAF Equipment Assistant. I personally think they just went where they were sent and were designed for no particular theatre of operations or Command.
Mark