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

[Spitfire]

Two very nice early Irvins as well...

 

[Smithy]

Poor old Killy's is about 2 sizes too big for him!

 

[SamMarlowPI]

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

Yep, thanks Spit, got them on my favorites. along with Aero, Eastman and Aviation leathercrafts...the funds to purchase one or a few of these is still in the process of being made...thanks Spit
and for the dating, from my very little research, i'm going with pre-war, maybe mid-30's...

 

[SamMarlowPI]

boy oh boy, US Wings has NOT done their research...look at their version of the IRVIN:

and to think they claim it's just what the RAF wore...i like their other jackets for beaters, but this is bad...

 

[Spitfire]

 

[SamMarlowPI]

took the look right off my face, Spit...
i wrote them a tasteful and diplomatic email complaining about and criticizing their design...

 

[aswatland]

It would look much better without the pockets, a correct collar strap and a white linen label.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

It would look much better without the pockets, a correct collar strap and a white linen label.

yep those are the main problems...
waist strap could be lower too...

 

[SamMarlowPI]

i borrowed Lever's photograph to ask a question

strap across the back of the collar is to keep it up right? kind of a dumb question but i want to be sure...

 

[aswatland]

Yes it was pulled over the head to keep the collar up right in a slip stream etc... The elastic strap was actually designed for pilots and navigators in open-cockpit biplanes. It was no longer incorporated in Irvins from 1944 onwards.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

thank you

 

[Alan Eardley]

Yes it was pulled over the head to keep the collar up right in a slip stream etc... The elastic strap was actually designed for pilots and navigators in open-cockpit biplanes. It was no longer incorporated in Irvins from 1944 onwards.

It's called the 'Erection Strap'. Just thought I should mention that. How many search engines have just found this posting?

Alan

 

[Alan Eardley]

boy oh boy, US Wings has NOT done their research...look at their version of the IRVIN:

and to think they claim it's just what the RAF wore...i like their other jackets for beaters, but this is bad...

Now you know how I feel about the 'Gurkha shorts', 'submariner's sweaters,' 'Royal Navy duffle coats' etc. etc...

Alan

 

[Spitfire]

And the answere is...

C'mon Andrew, when is the Irvin from?

 

[aswatland]

Ok. Thanks everyone for your contributions. The 2 panel construction is typical of Irvins up to 1940/41. The wider than normal belt is typical of early to mid '30s Irvins. The Dot Deco sleeve zips are usually seen on jackets from the mid 1930s. However they could be deadstock fitted later. The Dot British main zip was used up to 1939, but when first used we do not know, perhaps mid '30s. The mottled zip tapes are also typical of some pre-war Irvins. The close pile fleece is typical of pre-war jackets.

Even if if the jacket had it's original label it would not give a conclusive date, only the date of the contract, which was not necessarily the date of manufacture.

Taking all the above into account and comparing it with other Irvins in my collection, or which I have owned I would date the jacket to the period 1935-8.

As to maker, there are only two known pre-War makers, Irvin Air Chute (IAC)and Wareing and Co. Wareing's jackets have "house" features from 1935 onwards: Wide belt loops and over large collar rings.

This jacket has small collar rings and narrower belt loops typical of Irvin Air Chute. The leather tape construction is very similar to my early 30s jacket which was definitely made by IAC as it retains its label. IAC was the most likely maker.

 

[Smithy]

Although a few of us said mid to late '30s, I think Paddy should be the "winner" of this as he exactly echoed the '35-'38 that Andrew said.

Lovely jacket BTW.

 

[sabreace22]

Is it salvagable?

Evening guys, first time poster here. I stumbled across this great forum while investigating options for getting my grandfather's late war Irvin repaired. I inherited it a few years ago when he passed, and it has been sitting around since. Unfortunately its not in the best shape, but I'm hoping to get your opinions on whether it can be saved. On a side note, I'm wondering if anyone knows where to get a repro '44 Irvin like this (I know eastman just had some up, and I missed it (and I would have shunted my new computer money towards it).

Anyways here are the pics:

Thanks in advance.

 

[aswatland]

Welcome to the forum. Your grandfather's late War Irvin can certainly be restored. I would suggest replacing the two ripped sheepskin panels and giving the coat a good feed with Pecards Antique leather dressing. You will need to find a source of sheepskin. I usually use wrecked jackets as donors! However, you could send it to Aero Leather Clothing in Scotland and they will restore it for you. Good luck with it.

 

[Mike1973]

Hello and welcome Sabre. Am I right in assuming there may be a link between your avatar and this Irvin...?

Nice to see a jacket still in the family :eusa_clap

 

[SamMarlowPI]

whoa that baby sure got a lot of use, eh Sabre? that is so neat!! bet the old man was clippin' Huns left and right whilst wearing that sucker...what a treasure...definitely get her repaired! cheers