Recent content by TMB

Spoke to a buyer at Harrods in London yesterday who we deal with regarding product from my company. Apparently their sales are down 43% on this time last year and its been a long time since they have known anything so bad. And unfortunately its going to get worse too, not helped by the doom and...

Be cautious. If you look at the close up pic of the collar it looks to me there may be signs that the leather is starting to flake which is irreversible if it is the case. Maybe this is why he's selling such an apparently perfect jacket....

Re: IRVIN Any idea what size this would equate to in this type of jacket - a 38 or 40?

There is no doubt this is put together. Look at the almost mouldy obviuosly very dry state of the jacket leather in comparison to the leather outer border on the Transport Command patch! Personally I would even doubt the authenticity of the, and the cloth one doesn't look old either.

Its an original, no doubt, but has had replacement knits at some stage.

Very unlikely, I should think that jacket is history as a wearer, although the buyer might be lucky.

PM me your details and I'll send you a couple of originals gratis. They won't be off of a W&G necessarily but they will be original M-422a.

How to ruin a very nice original jacket. There was discussion elsewhere re applying modern art to originals, if the jackets are otherwise poor examples and it gives them a new lease of life, but this is criminal, to sew on modern patches to an original jacket - and a fantastic example too.

I bought the jacket from you but no longer have it. To be honest I didn't like the style or fit and sold it on. For the life of me I can't now remember to whom nor whether it was through ebay or the forum. I think it was someone here in England who bought it but not sure. Sorry can't be of more...

I think the collar is normal, its just the fur is very worn making it look slimmer, plus also the tips are curled under and less pointy. As I say, I suspect its a military refurb - the retro punched USN is the giveaway. Not a bad price for a wearer, although I wouldn't have bought it myself...

I actually don't think its rot, these jackets very rarely do that. Its simply had a lot of surface wear and is need of a little Pecards tlc...

It is without a shadow of a doubt a H & L Block M-422a - the pocket flap shape and yellow USN stencil are clear signs. However its had a 1950s military depot refit when the "new" lining was put in plus the small USN punched into the flap. The entire jacket is non-original except for leather and...

Absolutely, and I can totally understand you reluctance Tim, but when it comes to a pretty hammered not particularly great example, adding some artwork onto the back can transform it. To be honest I've got another couple of jackets right now, H&L Block and W&G M-422as, that I am considering...

I have to say I personally have a totally different view on this. In the past I have had two original jackets (M-422a) painted and am very glad I did. Both now are so much more a pleasure to wear, and that's why I bought them, to wear them. That said both jackets are ones that were heavily...

The many jackets I've bought and had sent from the US in the past I invariably got sent by Express which costs around $35 to $40 to the UK but valued at only a "nominal" sum. You still often have to pay duty and handling charges but its way less of course. I agree its probably about 50% of the...