B-3 Bomber jacket

[Giftmacher]

Went to a hairdresser today and on the way home I tried the luck at the local second hand store. This is what I found. Is there any way to recognize maker? Are there a lot of reproduction makers? On the market in Bohemia is just Mil-Tec. Price was not too bad, 399CZK ($20) only a few repairs will be necessary.
http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn313/Giftmacher/?action=view&current=DSCN1987.jpg

 

[Young fogey]

20 bucks for a real USAAF B-3? I'm jealous.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well..it's not a real USAAF B-3...or even an accurate B-3 repro...but for the price..a nice shearling jacket.

 

[Young fogey]

Re-reading the post I get it. Thanks. Like my fake A-2. Not all that accurate but good enough, used, for $12.

 

[Giftmacher]

Well..it's not a real USAAF B-3...or even an accurate B-3 repro...but for the price..a nice shearling jacket.

Thanks, so how much it differs from the original? I didn't find any manufacturer's mark, is it some kind of well known repro, or is it impossible to recognize (some crappy Chinese copy maybe?-judging by defects)

 

[Giftmacher]

Can someone suggest headwear that is appropriate with this jacket, except for flight helmets certainly

 

[cuthbert]

Can someone suggest headwear that is appropriate with this jacket, except for flight helmets certainly

 

[Giftmacher]

Thanks, is that all? Something more civilian maybe?

 

[aswatland]

No contest! This is the civi hat to wear with your B-3.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I would think that a newsboy/8-panel cap would look really good with that jacket. I'm looking for one to complement my A2-style jacket.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

For the price, you can hardly go wrong. I agree with V.C. Brunswick above - I would go with a dark grey or dark brown newsboy cap with this jacket.

 

[Giftmacher]

Great! Thank you gentlemen!

 

[Giftmacher]

I see very few of repros has pockets as the original. Each of them are sold for a price around $500. I found Chinese copy too, which is made from real leather, but fake fur, costs $330. What confuses me is that I haven't seen a reproduction that has the label as an original jacket. At least mine is made from real leather and fur too.

 

[Phantomfixer]

I wear a B-2 gunners cap. It is shearling and goes well in todays retro look. Just ignore the elmer fudd comments....

 

[normanf]

I see very few of repros has pockets as the original. Each of them are sold for a price around $500. I found Chinese copy too, which is made from real leather, but fake fur, costs $330. What confuses me is that I haven't seen a reproduction that has the label as an original jacket. At least mine is made from real leather and fur too.

The original B-3 had only map pockets. The repros have handwarmer pockets - not historically accurate and FL purists will frown on it but it makes for a more practical jacket. Unless you want a historically accurate B-3, what you acquired will serve you well for years to come. If the leather is dried out, apply mink oil. It will darken the leather and give the jacket more of that desirable "period" look. Wear yours in good health!

 

[too much coffee]

Thanks, is that all? Something more civilian maybe?

Hello Giftmacher;

Nice shearling jacket find for the money.
Watch the movie "Memphis Belle" and you'll get an idea of the miltary headgear to wear with your jacket or, as V.C. Brunswick suggested, a newsboy cap would look fine.

Regards.
coffee

 

[Giftmacher]

Thank you very much, you have been very helpful!