help ID flight jacket

[breezer]

hey can anyone shed any light on this jacket......is it original or reproduction?

 

[aswatland]

It is an original Irvin from 1939-40. It lacks the male size of the belt.

 

[breezer]

It is an original Irvin from 1939-40. It lacks the male size of the belt.

thanks! Leather looks a little crusty and it needs a few repairs......but I might buy it

 

[aswatland]

If the price is fair it could be a bargain!

 

[breezer]

know nothing about these - but its available, might take a punt on it......stupidly I forgot to try it on for size when I inspected it earlier. Looked about the right size. Are these 39/40 Irvins rare and/ or desirable?

 

[rocketeer]

It may be rare but not that uncomon the amount we see pushed through eBay. I know collectors go crazy for good condition stuff, especially if in almost unworn condition but this looks like it has served it's owner well. Probably not that collectable unless it could be surface refinished though I doubt that would be possible. It would make a nice start to a novice collector, similar to me with a rubbish B3, I went on to upgrade to a much nicer one.
Just imagine the stories this could tell, maybe some wartime history from a bomber crew to driving building trucks during the post war winter years or taking some guy to work on his old combination before he could afford a new Mini.

 

[breezer]

thanks Rocketeeer - I like it when vintage pieces turn up locally - and yes, the history is very intriguing. I still think about the Panerai Kampfschwimmer that turned up at a local sale-room...probably brought home from the war and left in a drawer for decades.

 

[breezer]

sold for £360 at local auction - I didn't even get a bid in, shame as it fitted me well. But one arm was hanging off and as noted above, one side of belt was missing.