Will hopefully receive a Bronson N-1 in navy blue today

[CatsCan]

Hi fellows,

I realized how long it has been since my last post! Time is running fast when one gets older!
After staring at the shipment status for about a week now, a parcel is finally on it's way to me, bringing in a Bronson N-1 in navy blue, the more expensive Demotex-Ed version.

After I have studied all posts about Bronson here on the lounge I thought, I had to try one. As my last posts were about my Pike Brothers khaki N-1 (which I still have but rarely wear), I am very curious how it fits compared to the other one.

In the Pike Brothers I have the size M. It fits well exept that I dislike the sleeves which are wrong in my opinion, with the fur going all the way down to the cuffs and being additionally wrapped in Jungle Cloth all around, which makes them thick and bulky and me looking kind of like a barrel.. Last week I tried their newer black N-1 in the same size M but was totally swamped. Don't know if they changed their sizing.

I was very astonished that the shop (Lee from a shop called Vtgdr-Store, where I ordered the Bronson) contacted me after I placed my order to ask me for my actual measurements to be sure I get a proper fit. He pushed me away from size M, which I had ordered in the hope for a trim fit worn over thin layers like a Tee. I thought this way I could extend the time of it being worn well into the northern German spring. Now size L is on it's way, following Lee's advice.

I will of course post some fit pics of it, when I got it, in the hope someone here is interested in seeing how size L fits on a person 6′ 1″ and meandring around 158 lbs. I have very long arms. The Pike sleeves felt short. I could have had them altered. There is plenty of material IMO.

Btw, has someone tried their "Modified USN Foul Wet Weather Deck Pants"? From the fotos they seem to look good with the khaki N-1.. Don't know about authenticity, however, I don't care too much about, beeing no re-enactor..

Cheers

Chris

 

[CatsCan]

A quick update, though still no fit pics atm, I apologize!

Received the jacket! I really like the colour. It is a dark vintage navy blue. The "U.S. Navy" print on it's back is in a dark matte silver colour just like I had expected, and looks like silkscreen paste. It isn' dominant, but when my flashlight shines on it in the right angle it is reflective! Really nice feature. I am sure, this will save my life from friendly fire, once on shore. Liner is nice, materials and colour wise... Fit and over all appearance is good on me, says my wife. And this counts a lot (she hated my khaki one, it would make me look pale and out of shape, she said). All in all, I agree with her, that this colour is more versatile.
I only could find two minor things I am struggling with. First is the repro Talon Zipper. It is brass and quite notchy, if this is the right word for it. The Pike Bros' one is steel and moves butter-soft. The other issue is maybe not so much caused by the jacket, but is the old general problem with my arms being very long. Not that the sleeves are much too short, they just feel too short, if you get what I mean. It feels as if the knit cuffs are too high up the arm. I want to pull them down to my wrist all the time. Maybe I could get used to it. Maybe never. But I see, they could be set lower by my seamstress. This should solve this problem without the cuffs protuding too much. I don't know if I should just wait until it breaks in before I alter this. Or give it a wash and pull and strech them out a bit. Otherwise the jacket is nice and well made. Torso is fitting very well. So I guess the sleeves are not too short, but my arms are too long for nearly any jacket that fits the rest of me well.

I promise to post fit pics tomorrow..

I start thinking, that I adore the look and history of N-1s for a long time now, but every time when I jump into one, it just don't feel 100% right and comfortable.. Considering, that the story goes, that Navy Personnel just jumped into the first one they grabbed, this being a hit or miss any time they had to wear one is beyond my imagination. It just feels horrible when it does not fit right. I believe, the sailors kept an eye on the ones, they experienced a good fit with. And I start to believe that they were after sleeves being long enough and not caring about how baggy the rest may be. I wished I had a size 42 to compare, but when I read the size chart, the sleeves don't get much longer. And the rest of the jacket would perhaps be too bulky then. Has anybody of you altered the sleeves on an N-1? Knit cuffs lowered?

Should I wash it before the first wear? Maybe put it on when still damp to "mold" it to my shape? Or let rain do the job?

Interesting, that judging from pics, I got the impression, that Buzz Rickson's sleeves tend to be on the longer side on N-1s. while RMC's to be on the shorter end. When this is true, then I think this Bronson navy blue one was modelled after a RMC's N-1 rather than a Buzz'.

Long story, I am sorry. Any comment is appreciated, but maybe senseless before fit pics posted.

Cheers

Chris

 

[l0fielectronic]

I have a Pike Bros and a Bronson. The Bronson I got in a smaller size and the sleeves seem a little shorter to me compared to the Pike Bros (I have longish arms too and they're just at the limit of what I'm comfortable with.)

The zip on mine runs fine and I've found the jacket every bit as warm as the Pike Bros. Only thing that really sets them apart to me is the outer material, which feels nicer and more authentic on the Pike Bros (also miss that inside pocket).

I did wonder if the fit was a little too trim around the shoulders when it arrived but after wearing it for a few weeks it did feel a lot more comfortable - I'd just try wearing it a while before trying anything too dramatic.

 

[CatsCan]

I did wonder if the fit was a little too trim around the shoulders when it arrived but after wearing it for a few weeks it did feel a lot more comfortable - I'd just try wearing it a while before trying anything too dramatic.

Thanks, Mate! You seem to know exactly, what I hoped to read! The zip on mine runs fine, too, just not as nice as on the Pike. I agree about the outer material. It seems thinner than at the Pike Brothers N-1. And though I did not count the "ribs", but it looks as they are finer and more per inch. I really WANT to like this jacket.

 

[Bfd70]

Not related to the jacket per say but i also had a very good experience with Vtgdr-store fwiw

 

[Skyhawk]

I bought a B-10. They shipped it 2 months ago and it never showed up. They have given me the old wait and see routine, and now they say when they get a insurance claim, they will ship a new one. Yay another month or two of waiting. I hope it actually shows up this time.

 

[CatsCan]

I bought a B-10. They shipped it 2 months ago and it never showed up. They have given me the old wait and see routine, and now they say when they get a insurance claim, they will ship a new one. Yay another month or two of waiting. I hope it actually shows up this time.

I am sad to hear that! I bought it over the Ebay-shop to be on the safe side (money back guarantee) and paid extra for express shipment via DHL. Had it here 11 days after I had ordered. I have read, that chinese vendors often work with part-time courier services. So I guess both, the vendor and you were fooled.

Good luck for you! Hope you eventually will receive either your B-10 or a full refund.

 

[breezer]

lets see the pics! Am starting to come back around to cheaper N1's - after buying 3 expensive ones, all with fit issues........with a cheaper jacket the imperfections are easier to live with.

 

[CatsCan]

lets see the pics! Am starting to come back around to cheaper N1's - after buying 3 expensive ones, all with fit issues........with a cheaper jacket the imperfections are easier to live with.

I will I will I will... just waiting for the late sun today.

 

[CatsCan]

Sorry for the delay of the pics, always too late home to catch the last sunlight. But weekend is close. I am curious to hear, what you say about the fit.

 

[CatsCan]

So, here we are! I apologize the bad quality, my camera is a small compact one. Light was terrible and I am not a good photographer. I tried my best to capture the jackets features... the colour is darker than it appears on the fotos... it is a really nice dark faded navy blue..
Anyway, I started to love this jacket! I think it is very well made! All the details like the hangers inside the arm pits, the cut of the strap end of the collar, the lining, the cuffs, the decent reflective print (see pics below, one without flash, one with flash to let it glow up)...

View attachment 208249

 

[CatsCan]

Cuff from other side..

 

[CatsCan]

Now for the fit pics. I chose a different strategy: I made a video where I move around and took stills. This way the quality is even worse, but it shows the real life appearance of the jacket when moving slightly...

 

[CatsCan]

last video stills...

 

[CatsCan]

Now, what are you guys saying to the jacket and the fit? I know there are some of you, who own or have owned more expensive N-1's from RMC, Buzz Rickson's and others. I would especially know, what you think about the sleeve length!
Another question for me is, what do you like to wear undeneath? The Alpaca wool makes some shirts kind of tack to the lining of the jacket, this is probably why it feels a little strange when moving. Are there fabrics, that are better than others worn under this kind of jacket? Sorry for the pants, they are my hiking pants. I have jeans to wear with this jacket, of course. But I also like, that this colour is versatile enough to be worn even with modern bottoms. I am curious, what you guys say!

 

[dubpynchon]

The fit looks good to me, the sleeves are the right length which is the main thing. I wear anything underneath mine, once the alpaca doesn't itch you're fine!

 

[thor]

Cool jacket! Fit looks good. Wear it in good health

 

[Blackadder]

I wear normal cotton shirt underneath my N-1 and I don't find any problem. It is just like any normal fur lined Jacket. BTW, I don't think Bronson uses alpaca. It is a lamb wool-synthetic mouton fur.

 

[breezer]

the lounge rules are that you tuck your shirt in before doing fit pics.... But apart from that it looks great! Can you post measurements of the 40 please?

 

[Bfd70]

Looks good. Deck jacket is so wearable. Epitome of throw and go.