Vintage Eastman B3 question

[Heinz D.]

Hallo all,
today I found an Eastman B3 size 40 on ebay, wich I liked for it's hide shown throu the photos which were posted.
But the fastening of the zipper is more like on Irvine Jackets. Is this typical for earlier Eastmans?
Does anybody know?

Regards Heinz

BTW still looking for a RMNZ B3 size 42/44

 

[havocpaul]

Without seeing the link can't tell what you mean. Early ELC B-3's had a repro Talon zipper which was nothing like the Irvin zipper.

 

[Otter]

If you mean the way the zip is stiched in and then oversewn with leather on Irvins then no, that was not the way that B3's were made.

 

[aswatland]

The use of seamtapes to cover the zip tape on very early ELC B-3s was a historical error! Originals never used leather seam tapes along the zip tape. I have one in a size 44 and am about to remove the repro Talon zip and leather seamtapes and replace with a NOS Talon. These early ELC jackets have much more character than some of their current B-3s IMO.

 

[Heinz D.]

Thanks for your reply.

Exactly what Andrew mentioned is shown on this ebay auction. Perhapes the solution is to replace the zipper.

Regards Heinz

 

[Otter]

I had an '89 vintage Eastman B3 that had some of the best horse on the sleeves that I have seen yet. It was allegedly made as an extras jacket for Memphis Belle but did not fit me very well.

 

[Baron Enski]

It wasnt an error Eastman gave you the choice of either the naked tape or one covered by the leather strip . your right they are great jackets looking for anoher one 2tone 44 long !!!!!!

 

[aswatland]

Of course Gary Eastman knew enough about B-3s to make them correctly in the 1980s! The point I'm making is that the two leather seam tapes are not correct for original B-3s. I suspect they were used to strengthen the sheepskin along the zip. He quickly dispensed with on the grounds of authenticity.

 

[Baron Enski]

Ok

Mine has the correct naked tape but has steerhide faceings because I didnt know any better back then, still love it though Id like to see it next to an original. If Id known better would have got the horse.

 

[Baron Enski]

Oh and Ive been buying Eastman jackets since 1988 , started with a house horsehide A2 with brass Talon zip.

 

[aswatland]

I recently bought an early Eastman B-3 in a size 44. Today I removed the repro Talon zip along with the seam tapes and replaced it with a NOS Talon from MASH Japan. Here are the before and after pictures. I have also slightly customised the ends of the collar straps. This early jacket was based on a H. Bernstein B-3 which Gary photographed for his Golden Book.

Before:-

After:-

 

[Heinz D.]

Verry nice Jacket. I wish the repro makers would use, or even can provide such curly hides, nowadays.
When I'am looking at the pictures shown at Lost Worlds, Eastman, The Few, RMNZ ect. I can't see anything like yours.

 

[Baron Enski]

Are you going to sell it Andrew if that were an inch longer in the arms and body I"d be interested. Let me Know if you come across the same in a 44 long

 

[aswatland]

The jacket is made from Merino wool which is sadly not used these days.