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QMI (De Brabander Mfg Co) N1 Deck Jacket

917_k

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

Does anyone have any experience of the quality of these deck jackets?

https://qmi.be/us-navy-n1-deck-jacket-khaki.html

I’ve bought two Pike Bros jackets in the last week and neither have been any good. Frankly I should have just tried on in a store, as the first was an EBay blag but is way to small (obviously can’t return) and the second I picked up from Aero leather, which is a size up but is very baggy in the arms and is much more olive green, rather than a khaki tan shade I’d prefer (thankfully this one I can return at cost). Don’t get me wrong, they’re beautiful coats, it’s just a shame I can’t get the sizing right.

I’m not keen on paying Buzz Rickson or Real McCoy’s prices, especially as id rather spend serious cash on a pilot jacket. So figured these might do the trick??

Thanks,

Rob
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
Hi Rob,

I'm not a USN deck jacket expert by any means but like you I've recently become interested in picking one up. Also like you there's absolutely no bloody way I'm going to shell out what BR or RM are asking for a cloth jacket so I've been looking at the PB ones as well.

If you don't want to spend BR/RM money there's also "At the Front".

http://www.atthefrontshop.com/product_p/usnun1.htm

I don't have one of their N-1s but I am considering one as I have one of their B-10 jackets which I am thrilled with.

At this stage I might just pull the trigger on the ATF, as the price is brilliant and if it's as good as their B-10 I'll be more than satisfied.

Cheers,

Tim
 

917_k

Well-Known Member
Those ATF ones looks nice and are certainly a consideration, although being in the UK I imagine the shipping and import costs would be quit high.

It’s just proving to be a bit of a nightmare because I’m very keen to get kitted out with one, but there is such significant variation in sizing, colour, quality of construction and of course price. The small PB jacket was ridiculously tight on me, yet the medium has come up very bulky abd is quite long in the arms. Both jackets are totally different colours as well. Despite the label stating khaki, the latest I’ve bought is almost definitely OD.

I’m half tempted to just give a QMI jacket a punt and if the construction is poor just return it.

Rob
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
ATF do charge an arm and a leg for shipping. I can remember the postage on my B-10 wasn't cheap.
 

917_k

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the heads up, with the likely added import duty and extortionate Royal Mail handling charges I’ll probably keep my search to UK & Europe.

Eastman Leather have a pop-up in London next month with Buzz Rickson, so might just go and try on a BR jacket and see how good they actually are.

Rob
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
Rob,

The BR N-1’s are really good. I’ve owned both the regular version and the heavy version. Both are high quality construction. The heavy N-1 has much more lush alpaca and a bit heavier jungle cloth...it’s very close to original examples I’ve had contact with, in that sense. The BR heavy N-1 is a bit larger than the regular version. For example, I wore the medium/size 38 in the regular and it fit trim in the chest and shoulders, but not tight. The size 38 in the heavy version is a bit larger. I might have even been able to wear a size 36. I wear a size 38 suit. By the way, History Preservation Associates, here in the states, has measurement info for each jacket in each size. They measure several of each size and take an average.



- Ian
 

CBI

Well-Known Member
I own a BR and ATF N-1. Both are great jackets. The BR is very close to an original in every detail (I have owned original N-1's). If I had to have only one, BR would be the way to go. Worth the price in the long run. The ATF si a totally fun jacket. If you can be 100% happy with a lesser repro, then ATF is for you. if you buy it (an ATF), always wondering if a BR would be better, then best to just make the right choice from the get go and order a BR. Make sure the ATF has the N-1 in your size in stock if you order from them. They had run out a few months ago.
 

Garylafortuna

Well-Known Member
I have a Pike Bros Hook Deck Jacket which I really like mainly because of its warmth. One of the features of this jacket is the alpaca wool lining is extended into the sleeves.
My question is, do all deck jackets have this or do some brands use something else in the sleeves, like quilt for example? It is difficult to determine from pictures on various manufacturers websites. They do not zero in on this. The reason I'm asking is because I want to get an N-1. It is a given that Buzz Rickson makes terrific jackets, I own three of them, and I believe you cannot get a better made jacket. The only part that irked me was taking out that second mortgage. Any comment appreciated. Thanks........... Gary
 

Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
It'd be worth looking at Bronson N-1's via Aliexpress, pretty much the best bang for bucks you're going to get and they ship below the radar (if you get my drift?).

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...454.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.177a90d3Za58ja

Check the measurements though, I've had two other jackets from them and they're pretty accurate. It's also worth noting that they're due to re-stock very soon.

Other than that it's well worth scouring ebay for a used Buzz.

Good luck!
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
I have a Pike Bros Hook Deck Jacket which I really like mainly because of its warmth. One of the features of this jacket is the alpaca wool lining is extended into the sleeves.
My question is, do all deck jackets have this or do some brands use something else in the sleeves, like quilt for example? It is difficult to determine from pictures on various manufacturers websites. They do not zero in on this. The reason I'm asking is because I want to get an N-1. It is a given that Buzz Rickson makes terrific jackets, I own three of them, and I believe you cannot get a better made jacket. The only part that irked me was taking out that second mortgage. Any comment appreciated. Thanks........... Gary

I can't speak for manufacturers other than BR and RMc (and original N-1's), but those I mentioned are lined with the alpaca/wool blend through the torso and sleeves. Both versions of the BR N-1 are quite warm.

- Ian
 

johnwayne

Well-Known Member
Sorry to put a dampener on things but isn't QMI one of the outfits nicking images off ELC's and Goodwear sites?
Re import costs then it's really pot luck here in UK as the guy at Post Office told me recently - a bit like going through customs when you travel personally as they just pick random packages! Unfortunately the recent excellent BR B10 I got from Couchy came from his contact in Japan but I got clobbered about 20% more when I collected it!! No ones fault just Sod's law and annoying when it happens. In addition to the B10 I've a BR 2nd pattern tanker jacket and must say the quality is top notch, you get what you pay for I guess as is case with most things in life!!!
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
if you ain`t satisfied with what you got from PB so far i`d go with a BRONSON - only judging from the photos on QMI homepage my Bronsons look much better then the QMI one

for me I love the PB especially for the long sleeves - usually wearing 44 I own a "L" PB which fits pretty well
 

Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
The Bronson is far more accurate that the QMI and subsequently way better looking plus you'll not pay any import duty/tax.
If you do go with them send a message first.
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
Yep - I think "Cobbler" is right!

With "looks better than the QMI" my meaning was "more accurate" - even from a material perspective the fabric Bronson uses looks more realistic
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
Sorry to put a dampener on things but isn't QMI one of the outfits nicking images off ELC's and Goodwear sites?
Re import costs then it's really pot luck here in UK as the guy at Post Office told me recently - a bit like going through customs when you travel personally as they just pick random packages! Unfortunately the recent excellent BR B10 I got from Couchy came from his contact in Japan but I got clobbered about 20% more when I collected it!! No ones fault just Sod's law and annoying when it happens. In addition to the B10 I've a BR 2nd pattern tanker jacket and must say the quality is top notch, you get what you pay for I guess as is case with most things in life!!!

I've been lucky. Over the past 3 years, I've ordered several things from Japan and I've never had to pay any import duty/tax. I'm subject to it and everything I've purchased has been bought from legit businesses. I'm in NYC and always have everything shipped via EMS.

Back to the N-1. I've looked at the Bronson. It seems ok. If you're not going to go with a Buzz or Real McCoy, and ATF isn't an option due to shipping cost, etc,, I'd probably go with the Pike Brothers. But, since Rob had bad luck with the PB N-1's, I guess Bronson might be a decent option.

What is the quality of Houston like? Is it on par with Pike Bros. or is it closer to Bronson?

- Ian
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
Also, over the years, I've seen these civilian N-1 jackets that were produced sometime between the 1940s to 1960s. They pop up on eBay pretty frequently and I've even seen them in navy blue. They're usually in really good condition.

Here's an example of one:

s-l1600.jpg


https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-40S-WW...956049?hash=item5451487591:g:Jl0AAOSwiIxZ8P-~

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-60s-US...920857?hash=item4d66210159:g:iyoAAOSwnTdZ8Ru8

And the navy blue version:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Post-W...592750?hash=item3af56be7ae:g:oH0AAOSw~RVZ8F8R

Just search "N-! jacket." There are numerous vintage civilian versions listed right now. Not saying it's the best options, by any means, but it is another option.

- Ian
 
Last edited:

Peter Graham

Well-Known Member
Rob,

The BR N-1’s are really good. I’ve owned both the regular version and the heavy version. Both are high quality construction. The heavy N-1 has much more lush alpaca and a bit heavier jungle cloth...it’s very close to original examples I’ve had contact with, in that sense. The BR heavy N-1 is a bit larger than the regular version. For example, I wore the medium/size 38 in the regular and it fit trim in the chest and shoulders, but not tight. The size 38 in the heavy version is a bit larger. I might have even been able to wear a size 36. I wear a size 38 suit. By the way, History Preservation Associates, here in the states, has measurement info for each jacket in each size. They measure several of each size and take an average.



- Ian
Ian, I wasn't aware that BR made heavy and regular N-1's. I bought mine second hand from Japan and although the construction and accuracy are very good, it's definitely not as heavyweight as originals I've owned. If I'd known there was a heavy version I might have sought one out. Is there any way to tell from outward appearance which version is which, or is the heavy one you refer to the one they call the Demotex version ?
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
Ian, I wasn't aware that BR made heavy and regular N-1's. I bought mine second hand from Japan and although the construction and accuracy are very good, it's definitely not as heavyweight as originals I've owned. If I'd known there was a heavy version I might have sought one out. Is there any way to tell from outward appearance which version is which, or is the heavy one you refer to the one they call the Demotex version ?

Peter,
That’s correct, it is the Demotex version. I bought mine without the stenciling and no seawater wash. Here, History Preservation Associates offers it. As I said, the only difference from the Demotex version is no stencling and no aging or seawater wash. They also offer it in a navy blue version. Both retain the Demotex label inside.

- Ian
 

917_k

Well-Known Member
Thanks very much everyone for the comprehensive responses; sorry I was rather inactive in the discussion, work and other commits have been rather hectic so I've not been able to get any time back on the forum. Anyway, I've settled on a Bronson jacket as the price and overall look of them seems to be ideal, I'm keen on the USN stencilling as well, which lots seem to lack. I just need to check the sizing before ordering.
 
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