Dating eBay Irvin?

[tweedydon]

First, please forgive me if posting links to "live" eBay auctions isn't allowed; if this is the case, please do remove this post!

I'm wondering about the age of the Irvin that's listed here. I'm not in a position to buy it, worse luck, but I am curious about it. I'm also interested in the wearability of older Irvins versus reproductions--I'm hard on my jackets, and would be concerned about harming an irreplaceable original!

The jacket is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-RAF-Ir...630?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4923be1e

 

[aswatland]

This Irvin dates to 1941-2 when the four panel front and back design became the norm. It is made of longer pile sheepskin rather than the short pile which was typical of the two panel early War Irvins. Yes original Irvins can be worn on a regular basis, but as collector I only wear mine now from time to time, wearing a repro on a daily basis to avoid damaging originals. They are usually more robust than American sheepskin jackets.

 

[tweedydon]

This Irvin dates to 1941-2 when the four panel front and back design became the norm. It is made of longer pile sheepskin rather than the short pile which was typical of the two panel early War Irvins. Yes original Irvins can be worn on a regular basis, but as collector I only wear mine now from time to time, wearing a repro on a daily basis to avoid damaging originals. They are usually more robust than American sheepskin jackets.

Terrific--thank you!