B-3, Gibson & Barnes

[TXFlyGuy]

A good friend had G&B make him a B-3 in a size 44R. The coat is beautiful! Very, very warm. And, it fit me perfectly. My normal coat size is a 40, or 42R. This B-3 seemed small. Perhaps it is all that fur that takes up so much space.

Anyway, a gorgeous coat. Another satisfied customer of G&B! He also has their Civil A-2.

 

[Fanch]

worthlesswithoutpics

 

[Peacoat]

So, as Fanch said, let's see the pics.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

OK...he is not a member here. Perhaps I can sneak a few photos over at his house. The coat is very luxurious in feel, and not as "heavy" as I would have thought.

Now, about those pics...

 

[TXFlyGuy]

 

[Monsoon]

Nice jacket, heard the B-3s were monsters. Very heavy and warm.

 

[bn1966]

Too warm for me Baking in a D1 over here at present

 

[Monsoon]

I'd love me a B-3, but think I'd opt for the D-1 or B-6.

 

[nabottle]

I love it! It makes me want one even more than I already did.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

I love it! It makes me want one even more than I already did.

This is a fantastic coat! Very warm for those cold winter days, or for when you are manning the waist guns on a B-17.

 

[aswatland]

Thanks for posting pictures of your B-3 style jacket. I can see it is loosely based on original B-3s, having slash pockets rather than the single map pocket. Does it have the two side belts and collar straps?

 

[Fanch]

I think that G&B makes two versions of the B-3, and this one is called their Shearling Civil B-3 Jacket:
http://www.gibson-barnes.com/prod-293973/Shearling-Civil-B3-Jacket.html

Their Shearling USAFF B-3 Jacket has the single map pocket:
http://www.gibson-barnes.com/prod-293972/Shearling-Usaff-B3-Jacket.html

This is the video by Dave Marshall describing the military repro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUh380dzEjlGy_6hx8Wd6_Lw&v=A6GKelju0zs

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Fanch: As usual, you are spot on. It is a civil B-3. The owner did not want the dual straps, thus the civil version was ordered. A very nice coat, for sure. Great warmth...but it is a bit small in size. 44R, but smaller than my 42R A-2, both from G&B.

 

[Fanch]

Although not historically as correct as the USAFF version, I think I prefer the civil version with its simple, understated look and the hand warmer pockets, more functional than the single map pocket. According to Dave Marshall, the G&B B-3 is much more supple and wearable than many other B-3's, like wearing a "Michelin Man" coat.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Although not historically as correct as the USAFF version, I think I prefer the civil version with its simple, understated look and the hand warmer pockets, more functional than the single map pocket. According to Dave Marshall, the G&B B-3 is much more supple and wearable than many other B-3's, like wearing a "Michelin Man" coat.

Yes, exactly! The entire coat is soft as warm butter. It wraps around you perfectly, and with almost no effort. The only problem is that our friend (in Denton, TX) will have little use for the B-3...unless we have more winters like the last one!

 

[IXL]

This last winter, up here in Oklahoma, was the first time I got any real use out of my Schott B-3. Before this, maybe wore it a couple of times each winter, just because I owned it. But this winter, I actually got to know the coat.

 

[regius]

I can vouch for Gnb'S quality, it's absolutely immaculate.

My question for their WW2 repro B-3 is that the body seems to be longer than more accurate repros. I want the shorter body look, rather than a "coat" look. Does anyone have comment on the torso length of theri B3?

 

[Monsoon]

I didn't think the body of theie USAAF B-3 was much shorter than other companies.

 

[Monsoon]

I sent an email to G&B about their B-3 and asked for more photos other than what was on the site.

Got a reply today. Sent the same pic on their website.

 

[bbq]

Although not historically as correct as the USAFF version, I think I prefer the civil version with its simple, understated look and the hand warmer pockets, more functional than the single map pocket. According to Dave Marshall, the G&B B-3 is much more supple and wearable than many other B-3's, like wearing a "Michelin Man" coat.

This looks like a great winter jacket for my neck of the woods. Average temp last month was about 13 F. Hand warmer pockets and flexible do it for me too.