IRVIN NUTS?...the ULTIMATE thread for those who love 'em!

[Speedster]

I love my 1940 Eastman but I certainly wouldn't mind being seen in a "Søren Special" either

Yearh, you would look great in a "Søren Special" in size 52 long

 

[Smithy]

I could use it as a full length WWI flying coat!

...or a car cover

 

[SamMarlowPI]

lol lol
is it ok to wear a brand new reproduction IRVIN out in the rain or light snow? or even a good idea? i wouldn't think so but I'm not sure...getting the shearling all wet...doesn't sound like a nice way to treat such a wonderful jacket...

 

[Spitfire]

If Smithy wants to use it in order to keep the car free from rain and snow, the answere is yes.

 

[Smithy]

Sam, sheepskin is a relatively tough thing. I'd wager that most originals would've seen their fair share of rain and if it was an Irvin that was a veteran of the 2TAF's drive through Belgium and Holland in the winter of '44/'45, then a lot of snow as well. Remember these are military jackets and were treated fairly roughly by aircrews. A modern repro is not very different.

If you get a repro then there's no reason you can't wear it out in the snow or rain but it would be a good idea to use a leather conditioner on her once or twice a year.

I had mine on yesterday and got caught in a shower, no harm done.

 

[Spitfire]

I will just add: As with anything in leather, don't hang it close to a heater, fire etc. to dry. That will slowly ruin the leather.
Besides that: These jackets can take it!

 

[Edward]

Edward, thirty years ago - when I had my first ALC Irvin - they made jacket with no pockets - one or two pockets came as an option, because there was a demand for that kind of thing.
Now the original front is an option!
But you are right. They ought to market the original along with the name.

I can see how to folks not concerned with the original look, the handwarmer pockets would be attractive (though -as with an A2 - to me it seems that the jacket is short enough that the trouser pockets are well accessible). At the price these jackets go for, howeve,r they're very much a luxury item rather than a high-volume unit shifter, so I should have thought maximisation of thed market by playing to populaist preferences isn't such a big deal there. Good to know, though, that the original design is an option. It seems to me that the model they have on their site, as supplied to the Battle of Britain flyover guys, would be a great jacket..... I'd love to know if anyone has experience of a direct comparison ALC / ELC / Aero.... A significant saving would be great. I'm still hoping that eventually someone will produce a nice repro of the Coastal units Irvin with the hood - that would be a detail that would make it a justifiable addition to a collection alongside a B3, I think. Not that I have a collection as of yet, but eventually I'd like to have a range of flying jackets that I will take out and wear regularly - they'll all have to be useable to justify the wardrobe space!

 

[SamMarlowPI]

ok thanks fellas...i knew they got worked hard and caught in all kinds of weather back in the wars, but i figured the shearling would get kind of mangy from the snow or rain...thanks again, cheers

 

[Smithy]

Unless it's really hosing down you'll find that the water droplets actually sit on top of the fleece.

If you get an Irvin Sam, use it, that's what they are for! Don't be afraid of the odd snowflake or rain shower

 

[SamMarlowPI]

Unless it's really hosing down you'll find that the water droplets actually sit on top of the fleece.

If you get an Irvin Sam, use it, that's what they are for! Don't be afraid of the odd snowflake or rain shower

oh believe me, ill be wearing it...out!

 

[Spitfire]

Sam, If you are looking for a nice, wellmade (repro) Irvin at a reasonable price try looking at "What Price Glory".

http://onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=1607&bc=no

 

[aswatland]

Can you date this Irvin?

A little test for forum members! I recently bought yet another Irvin for around half the price of a good repro. This size 5 Irvin joins my collection. Everything is original on it including the leather zip pulls. There has been some debate on the forum about dating an Irvin so rather than me suggest what I think at this stage I would welcome the opinions of others!

Using the evidence of the photos below and information on the Irvin thread section of our forum please suggest a likely date and a maker. There are no prizes for the winner!

 

[Spitfire]

Besides it's a real beauty - I will risk saying it's a pre-war model. Maybe 1938-1939. [huh]

 

[Smithy]

I'm the same as Spitty, late 30s I'd say. Looks similar to your '38 Andrew.

 

[PADDY]

Not fair for me to join this one, but a few clues...

All the information and advice is in this running thread on the Irvin sheepskin.

So areas to weigh up are:

1. How many sheepskin panels (on the whole this is a fair indication of age). Also the panels of the arms. Think about it, wartime equals shortages of materials, as war progresses, so materials get more scarce. So think about that when cutting up a fleece for a jacket.
2. Look at the metal pulls on the zips. Decorative or utility/functional? Would you spend a lot of money to produce intricate fancy looking zips during wartime?
3. Look at what is written on the zip box housing case. (this has been mentioned regarding the DOT zips).
4.Think about the zip makers, and in which periods of this jacket history were they likely to be used on the sheepskin jacket?
5. Think about the cut of the arms, especially underarm heights. Could this be a clue to the period of this jacket's history?
5. Underarm ventilation hole pattern? What might that tell you about the age of this sheepskin?

 

[aswatland]

Come on Paddy don't sit on the fence! when do you think she was made?

 

[blacklagoon]

early

I would say 1933 - 1934.maybe,even a 1932,in unique condition.if i'm correct,i will explain why.

 

[PADDY]

...

1935-38 (The Dot zips on the sleeves are from a very early period. But the main zip is from the later 30's period). So the sleeve zips might have been what was left and the British marked Dot zip was put on either when made or later. Nice high armholes point to an early model.

 

[aswatland]

1935-38 (The Dot zips on the sleeves are from a very early period. But the main zip is from the later 30's period). So the sleeve zips might have been what was left and the British marked Dot zip was put on either when made or later. Nice high armholes point to an early model.

The main zip is original to the jacket. The pull is unmarked and the slider is the single trunnion variety.

 

[Speedster]

1938-1941 is my guess.