Unusual Irvin B-3 (pics), pre ww2?

[Buco]

Hi all,

Thought i would ask for a bit of help in identifying this unusual B-3. I have limited knowledge of B-3s but i guess it could be quite an old rare one based on the zip alone. I believe this is a zip associated with ww2 Irvins but this seems a different style to all the Irvin pics ive seen from around that time. My supplier seemed to think it was pre ww2?

Any ideas?

Many thanks

 

[Stand By]

Interesting jacket you have there, Buco ...!
It's got some features of a B3 but not others, and an AM zipper... like I always say, anomalies abound in this interest of ours !
My only guess would be that this is some type of private purchase jacket - whereby the tailor had access to some AM zippers.
I know there are many others here more qualified than myself to assess the era of the zip more precisely.

 

[hpalapdog]

The leather seems to have come from a pair of Irvin trousers. The shearling perhaps from some American ones.

 

[rocketeer]

Please correct me if I am wrong but I think I saw this jacket many years ago, probably 15 years thinking about it at the War and Peace show. I recognise all the extra bits such as the 2 B3 style pockets, the full leather waist band and what appears to be an extra bit down the centre with the zip.
Is the sheepskin topcoat very thick and had a good coating of hide food?
Over the years it nice to see things do the rounds so to speak.May have a pic of it somewhere as I thought it unusual.
J

 

[Fletch]

I've seen trousers made from a jacket, but never vice versa!

 

[aswatland]

I have seen several of these non-issued wartime jackets. I believe they were private purchases used by USAAF ground crew. This Dot zip would date it no earlier than the mid War period.

 

[rocketeer]

I've seen trousers made from a jacket, but never vice versa!

A dealer I knew often made replica B2 caps from the USAAF trousers especially if the trousers were a bit rough sometimes using them to patch and repair other jackets as well(B6s and D1s I expect). Lots of us wear sheepskin jackets but in my jacket collecting days I never knew anyone who wanted a pair of sheepskin pants to wear, other than re enacting.
J

 

[hpalapdog]

I've seen trousers made from a jacket, but never vice versa!

Later in the war contractors were cutting up surplus Irvin trousers and using the material for jackets.

 

[Buco]

Thanks very much for all the comments and help, much appreciated