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Let's talk about Deck Jackets (my grail has landed)

christian-h

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Sweden
Hi Fedora Lounge!

First of all: thank you for reading. The saltest of the saltest jacket has landed after years of searching for the right example. Condition is important for me and that complicates things when the original jackets were produced during the 40s.

This is an early version, from 1944, with a Conmar zipper and it's so nice. It's quite breathtaking thinking about how this jacket was supposed to be worn by a soldier in the navy, during the world war II. Enough with the talk; here's some of todays pictures.

us-army-deck-jacket-5-jpg.1620741
us-army-deck-jacket-4-jpg.1620740
us-army-deck-jacket-3-jpg.1620739
us-army-deck-jacket-2-jpg.1620738


us-army-deck-jacket-jpg.1620745


us-army-deck-jacket-n1-5-jpg.1620743
us-army-deck-jacket-n1-2-jpg.1620742
us-army-deck-jacket-n1-conmar-zipper-jpg.1620744


So, am I the only one with a passion for the deck jackets here? Please share some pictures or drop a comment. I'll attach some inspirational pictures from my scouted gallery in the end.

Heres some extra spice, borrowed from my newly started instagram account called Seconda Vita Clothing (@secondavitaclothing). I aim to write about historic garments with inspiration pictures from the old days and share my advice on where you can source both vintage, used and new garments. At the moment I'm researching the flight jackets starting from World War 1. Please give it a follow if you like.

"Let’s talk about the iconic deck jacket. The N-1, deck jacket, was first released in 1944 and has the longest service in the US Navy history. The jackets outer shell is made of heavy cotton, with a warm alpaca lining. These jackets were worn on deck by the aircraft carrier crew during World War II and the Korean War. @thenavy_ism is a great account to follow fore inspiration. He once wrote “I love to consider the ⚓️NAVY-ism⚓️ more than an IG feed, I prefer to consider all of us more like a worldwide multiethnic community who share the same passion.” Amen to that."

Clink on the picture to get to my account!
Seconda-Vita-Clothing-Startbild.jpg

Paul Newman Deck Jacket 2.jpg

james-dean-deck-jacket.jpg


Thank you for reading!

Take care,
Christian
 
Last edited:

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,875
Location
East Java
congrats on your jacket find, nice write up, and inspirational pics. personally I don't live in the climate for one, I see some repro here in my tropical country just for look but without the padded liner it won't look the same won't crease the same, and after looking at the size chart I also don't have the body proportion for it way too long on me.
 

Bfd70

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,347
Location
Traverse city
Really great jackets. Currently a lot of options out there. Many people have written in asking questions about fit. It seems they want a trim modeling cut. I like the intended fit because it easily accommodates several layers. Last winter it was my go to (layered) down to 20f. Without layers 35 to 50 and windy/overcast is a nice broad range for these parts.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,468
Location
South of Nashville
If this is an original,* it is the best I have seen. According to the contract nomenclature, this is a 1943 Perry Sportswear deck jacket. The contract was awarded in January, 1943 and was completed in October, 1943. Congratulations on a rare find.

One minor point: Soldiers didn't wear these jackets on board a Navy ship; sailors wore the jackets as sailors serve on ships.
_____
* The only thing that causes me to think it may not be original is the condition: it is like new and unworn. What makes me believe it is an original is the zipper. It is either a Conmar M-41 or M-43, either of which is period correct.
 

breezer

Practically Family
Messages
806
Location
Scotland
my RMC N1 is my favourite jacket and works all year round in Scotland.........your new old jacket is superb, condition is unbelievable.....

side note: have recently become enamoured with the IH civilian style B2 deck jacket......am hunting for an L in khaki......
 

christian-h

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Sweden
Love the N1. Had a Pike Bros Repro, strongly leaning toward an A-2 deck jacket now. But the N1 is the coolest. Yours looks great and the condition for its age seems exceedingly rare.

Thank you for your cind words. The A-2 is a really nice jacket and it should work great in slightly warmer climates right?
 
Messages
17,512
Location
Chicago
Thank you for your cind words. The A-2 is a really nice jacket and it should work great in slightly warmer climates right?
Well Chicago is pretty darn cold, actually can be painfully cold at times. I found the N1 almost too warm given the limited time I spend outdoors during the winter. Figure the A-2 could get ‘er done.
 

christian-h

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Sweden
Practically my daily wearer at the moment when walking the dog on the wet, muddy roads around the village. Mine was produced a little later and is not an issued jacket (an Excalibur‪ by Spiewak). My most practical winter coat. View attachment 289013

That's a nice one! I just wore mine on a longer walk in bad weather and it didn't let me down. Your jacket has killer patina, nice to see!
 

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