USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

[Stearmen]

Exactly this, the classic design stems from the designers looking at what is the most effective materials to use for a person who is encumbered by the most inclement weather conditions. Naturally they looked to the indigenous people who have been surviving in arctic conditions for millennia. These are the folks who would know what is what, it is not an accident that they have survived in these harsh wildernesses for as long as they have, this is wisdom handed down from generation to generation. The classic fur hood is as practical as it is stylish. I admit regardless of all the hostility that it invites from the anti fur brigade, i am an admirer of real fur, it beats synthetic every time, do you think the Inuit peoples if they had a choice in the matter would use real fur or synthetic? I think i will follow their lead thank you very much.

That's why Roald Amundsen's expedition was first to The South Pole, and Robert Scott's expedition was a complete failure! http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwone/south_approaches_01.shtml

 

[RapidReaper]

I have a couple Vintage no-name non-military knock-off N3-B parkas here up for grabs and pretty much at garage sale prices, one sage-ish and the other Blue-ish if someone was interested...a little small though, Snug in the back and arms a little for me and Im smaller than you lot Im betting, I can post pics if you wanna see.

Here's one that fell exactly in my price range- $25. I was the sole bidder. The tears in the cigarette pocket and the back make it look cooler I think, I mean Ralph Lauren would charge god knows what for that kind of character. The hood has no fur loss but the slash pocket linings are bare.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Interesting to see where the USAF stamp is located: on your coat it's across the seam, on mine (and most) it's positioned forward of seam.

 

[RapidReaper]

^ Interesting to see where the USAF stamp is located: on your coat it's across the seam, on mine (and most) it's positioned forward of seam.

I thought that myself. The tag was off when I bought it so I don't know the maker or year.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Alpha from 1959, at least according to the tag. I'm not sure they listed the year on the old tags - Atticus?
RapidReaper - This one has the USAF stamp on the seam, like yours. Perhaps this will help you date your parka. The fur and pile looks the same.

Here's a 1972 issue N3B with a camo-printed lining, which I presume is an aftermarket job although it appears extremely well integrated.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the Albert Turner parka I just got. You can see the UV fade on the hood and the long-gone wolf fur. It's getting cleaned right now. The photos make it look banged up but it's actually in very good shape and looks great in real life. Whether I keep it or not long-term is questionable, but it's great to have a chance to handle and inspect such an old bit of gear - this parka was "born" long before me!

 

[Doctor Damage]

Masland N3A

 

[bn1966]

Masland N3A

Lovely Just like mine

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Haha, I love how you guys are nit-picking about the placement and location of the Decals...I mean have any of you ever worked in an industrial Textile plant before...we are talking LONG hours!!!

Your Aim Gets a little hazy after about 12 hours of Pressing Transfers on Jacket sleeves Im certain.

You look at some wartime Jackets, and you can tell who is a vet and who is a greenhorn on a Sewer in terms of craftsmanship Just by the Cock-eyed seams. They had to make a lot in short time, so I think that is part of what appeals to me. Strictly built for function like a bomber, the fact that they look awesome Just adheres naturally.

Green is the only colour that looks GOOD dirty IMO.

That Jacket you got for $25 bucks is the be all reason I love military gear so much!

nice score!!! wow! hey also...is that a vintage Les paul you got! heh.

 

[RapidReaper]

Haha, I love how you guys are nit-picking about the placement and location of the Decals...I mean have any of you ever worked in an industrial Textile plant before...we are talking LONG hours!!!

Your Aim Gets a little hazy after about 12 hours of Pressing Transfers on Jacket sleeves Im certain.

You look at some wartime Jackets, and you can tell who is a vet and who is a greenhorn on a Sewer in terms of craftsmanship Just by the Cock-eyed seams. They had to make a lot in short time, so I think that is part of what appeals to me. Strictly built for function like a bomber, the fact that they look awesome Just adheres naturally.

Green is the only colour that looks GOOD dirty IMO.

That Jacket you got for $25 bucks is the be all reason I love military gear so much!

nice score!!! wow! hey also...is that a vintage Les paul you got! heh.

That's a custom shop '54 Goldtop re-issue. I used to work for Gibson and picked that one out myself, before the Japanese reps in the shop could snatch it up and ship it to Japan - it used to be (in the 90's) that there would be a couple of Japanese guys in the shop at certain times to inspect all the guitars made that week (or whenever they were ready to leave the factory) and would choose only the most perfect guitars for their market, everywhere else in the world got the leftovers.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the Albert Turner parka I just got. You can see the UV fade on the hood and the long-gone wolf fur. It's getting cleaned right now. The photos make it look banged up but it's actually in very good shape and looks great in real life. Whether I keep it or not long-term is questionable, but it's great to have a chance to handle and inspect such an old bit of gear - this parka was "born" long before me!

Further to this... parka is back home after cleaning, looks excellent. Fit is too short in the arms and too wide in the chest. These things are clearly aimed at Regular length people only (so that's a friendly caution to anyone out there who is a Tall/Long and is considering vintage nylon). Normally, raglan sleeve outwear is very accommodating in terms of sleeve length since the shoulders adapt to chest size, but in this case the heavy wool insulation keeps the shoulders' shape and doesn't allow the sleeves to 'slump' and become 'longer'. I'm glad I didn't try to get a Large in the recent issue parkas, since I'm certain I'd have had the same problem. However, I can totally see how Regular and Short men do well with vintage nylon.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a Spiewak Golden Fleece N3B parka, currently listed on the Bay. It's not military, of course, but it looks like it's very good quality, probably halfway between Buzz and Alpha. I don't think they make these anymore, which seems a shame.

 

[Worf]

Finally got someone to take some pics. Here's my Southern Athletic N-3B. Viet Nam era, size XL.

Worf

 

[Worf]

Here's a couple more shots... What exactly was "modified" on this model?

Worf

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a strange and unexpected Alpha civilian N3B. The red tag on the cigarette pocket suggests a Replica Series coat. It's a shame there isn't a market for mid-level priced reproductions because this thing is clearly well made.

 

[bn1966]

I recognize this series, have had a number of them pass through my hands...yes, very good quality construction & cut fairly large & longer than some other Alphas.

My favourite sage 50's style MA-1 comes from this series (interlining is reflective of the period it represents too). Sold a dark navy one some whiles back (a bit too big in XL) was easily a modern 48. The XL sage one I still own appears to have been shrunk which is probably why it fits me (imagine it's the interlining wool / cotton contracting).

They are much more substantial than the Alpha "Vintage" series. I moved on one of them in N-2B / A form a couple of weeks ago...a very nice Parka but surplus to requirements given the service issue models from the 50's to 90's I've acquired.

I wonder if they ever made an L-2B / A in the series, now that would be nice. Thanks for posting Doc I wasn't aware there was an N-3B in the series

 

[EarlGrey]

What would you guys recommend for good N-3Bs if I don't want to go the surplus route? I've been thinking of replacing my Alpha, but can never convince myself that the price for a Spiewak is worth it...

 

[bn1966]

What would you guys recommend for good N-3Bs if I don't want to go the surplus route? I've been thinking of replacing my Alpha, but can never convince myself that the price for a Spiewak is worth it...

Some Spiewak's come up cheap on eBay if you don't mind the used route. Picked up a nice parka for the wife for only £20.00

 

[Edward]

I picked up one of these in December 2014, intending only to get myself cheaply through that Winter, but I'm still wearing and enjoying it now: http://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/silvermans-n3bs-parka?variant=4839203779 I was gonig to pick up the black one, seeing as it's civilian wear for me anyhow, but opted for the green on the basis that it would go with a wider range of clothing. Can't be beaten for the money; £100 odds cheaper than the Alpha equivalent, which I don't think is significantly better. I'd buy another one in blue of they did it. Kinda wish it didn't have the orange lining, but at this sort of coin..

 

[bn1966]

I picked up one of these in December 2014, intending only to get myself cheaply through that Winter, but I'm still wearing and enjoying it now: http://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/silvermans-n3bs-parka?variant=4839203779 I was gonig to pick up the black one, seeing as it's civilian wear for me anyhow, but opted for the green on the basis that it would go with a wider range of clothing. Can't be beaten for the money; £100 odds cheaper than the Alpha equivalent, which I don't think is significantly better. I'd buy another one in blue of they did it. Kinda wish it didn't have the orange lining, but at this sort of coin..

Nice Parka that, just had a look...wouldn't mind the black version & what a good price (agree about the orange lining).