B-3 contract numbers

• Feb 14, 2021

• #1

S

Stanley Stoots

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I have bought 3 B-3 Shearling bomber jackets , all very vintage from a shop in England and all with a tag that says:

Type B-3
SWP No cxxxxxxxcc
UR Contract xxxxxxxx
LC xxxxxxxx
Aviation Co
Air Force JKT
U.S. Army Style

All are very old but in great condition .
The seller sold them as Irvin jackets .
My understanding is Irvin used several contractor s over the years.

Is there a reference that can decipher
these codes and illuminate the origin?

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #2

Blackadder

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Does not look like a real B-3 tag. Googled similar jacket and they don't look like actual B-3.
https://www.easyliveauction.com/cat...7628d0/antiques-fine-furnishings-art-fashion/
Original B-3 tags

 

Last edited: Feb 14, 2021

• Feb 14, 2021

• #3

S

Stanley Stoots

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Really? These jackets while wearable with no tears , have worn inside shearling and the sheepskin side is evident of a long wear over decades.
Are you thinking they are fake and/or have been artificially aged?
On eBay there are usually a handful on auction everyday. Price typically $150 plus a hefty shipping fee from England .

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #4

S

Stanley Stoots

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From my jacket

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #5

Blackadder

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Stanley Stoots said:

Really? These jackets while wearable with no tears , have worn inside shearling and the sheepskin side is evident of a long wear over decades.
Are you thinking they are fake and/or have been artificially aged?
On eBay there are usually a handful on auction everyday. Price typically $150 plus a hefty shipping fee from England .

Click to expand...

DWG no. and/or AC order no. are what should be on the tags of WW2 AAF jackets.
This is a thread with some pointers as to how to identify an original.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/help-b3-bomber-jacket-real-or-fake-b-3.85111/
Yours could still be vintage just not the original. There are tons of vintage civilian reproduction of the original. Here is one made by Avirex probably in the 80s and is well worn.
https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/listing/...external=1&from_market_listing_grid_organic=1
This one even has a tag suggesting it may be in Switzerland.
https://hodkotom.com/products/vintage-mens-us-army-air-foce-aviation-co-type-b-3-sheepskin-jacket

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #6

S

Stanley Stoots

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Thanks for the reply. If there are other perhaps external references that would add even more clarity to ‘legitimate’ reproductions, I would appreciate it

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #7

Blackadder

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Stanley Stoots said:

Thanks for the reply. If there are other perhaps external references that would add even more clarity to ‘legitimate’ reproductions, I would appreciate it

Click to expand...

I am sorry but I don't understand what you mean by legitimate reproductions? There are tons of reproductions, some very accurate like the Aero and Eastman, some more casual like Avirex and Schott.
A B-3 jacket has a very specific design like one front patched pocket and arm patch reinforcement with horsehide leather.
Take a look at Gen Patton's photo in his B-3 and you will notice those specs.
You can see some of the "repros" have neither the patched pocket nor the arm patch. There are other shearling jackets like the B-6, D-1 and Irving with different specs. Some of those repros actually look closer to a B-6 or D-1 yet they call themselves B-3

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #8

S

Stanley Stoots

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Thanks for the reply . I’m learning!

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #9

kowalski

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it would be nice to see pictures of whole jackets, not only labels, then you could say something more about them imho

 

• Feb 14, 2021

• #10

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Stanley Stoots

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Here you go. It’s been worn well, but I love it!

 

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• Feb 14, 2021

• #11

Marc mndt

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The slash pocket makes it look like a fashion / civilian jacket to me. On an accurate B3 reproduction I'd expect one patch pocket.

 

Last edited: Feb 14, 2021

• Feb 14, 2021

• #12

Carlos840

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Stanley Stoots said:

Here you go. It’s been worn well, but I love it!

Click to expand...

That's not a B-3, nore is it an Irvin, it's just a randome civilian model loosly inspired by the B-3, looks like it could be 10 years old to me.

 

• Feb 15, 2021

• #13

kowalski

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I'm not an expert but you can see right away
jacket doesn't even come close to the look of the B3 jacket. Normal, market production. made in maybe Pakistan, Turckey ...

 

Last edited: Feb 15, 2021

• Feb 15, 2021

• #14

A

AIRCRAFTMECH

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About 20 years ago Wilson Leather in Texas had a sale on their “Bomber Jackets” I bought all 3 for $50 USD each, no tax ( they do that for clothing when school starts each year). They all look identical to yours although brown with off white fur. Great work jackets, cheaper than a Jean jacket. Enjoy them. BTW, I still wear them although not as much as my repro B3’s