Peter Graham
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry if this comparison has been done before but here goes. I bought this jacket a few weeks ago from Buzz Rickson's re issue page. It was the last one left and in my size too so after a few glasses of courage I took the plunge. My justification was that the M-41 is just about my favourite WW2 jacket and my original is too nice to wear on a regular basis so if I'm going to buy a repro, why not buy a good one ? I've always been a bit suspicious of Buzz jackets. Every one I've owned has been beautifully made but when compared to an original, sadly lacking in many areas. Their M-41 is no exception, but this is the first time I've owned a Buzz and an original at the same time. What I'm comparing is a size 36 original to a 38 Buzz. Both fit as they should. Original army field jackets always fit at least a size larger. The 38 Buzz fits as a modern 38. They weigh about the same. Here's some comparison pics.
The cut is pretty good but the Buzz is a lighter shade of OD, more khaki. Surely a brand new jacket should be darker than a 72 year old one ? Original M-41's started out as OD 7 . That's where the Buzz should be. The shell looks and feels perfect in weave and weight. The sleeves of the Buzz are baggier than the original. A major faux pas in my book. Buzz in the first photo, then the original
The buttons on the Buzz are identical in size and shape but are a darker brown. I've been told originals were made in this shade but I've yet to see any.Also note the difference in stitching pattern.
Buzz buttonholes on top. Totally different.
Buzz label is prety good although the layout is slightly different.
Zipper is pretty spot on, length wise, but I'll take Buzz's marketing ploy of advertising the zippers as 1942 originals with a pinch of salt. The Conmatic brand name, to the best of my knowledge, didn't exist until the early 50's. Still, it's a nice change from the YKK or nasty looking Talons on other repros. I may change the slider to an original Conmar. I'd bet also that there's an order somewhere that stipulated OD zipper tape. This is not an Air Force jacket !
The waist and sleeve tabs. Notice how on the original the stitching continues to the edges, forming small squares in the corners but the Buzz has two seperate lines
Buzz's worst offence, and I've noticed this on every Buzz jacket I've owned, is that the lining is wrong. The original has a fine wool lining that can be worn comfortably next to the skin but the Buzz jacket has a rough wool, or possibly synthetic lining that looks totally wrong, is the wrong colour and is itchy as hell.
I'm sorry if I'm sounding overly negative about this jacket and I could be justifiably accused of nit picking, but that's what we do here, we nit pick. Buzz Rickson are lauded as the premier makers of cloth and nylon jackets, so nit picking is justified. My only problem is that I'm comparing it to just one jacket. Maybe it's like comparing a repro Perry A-2 to an original Star ? If anyone has an original M-41 then your input would be much appreciated.
The cut is pretty good but the Buzz is a lighter shade of OD, more khaki. Surely a brand new jacket should be darker than a 72 year old one ? Original M-41's started out as OD 7 . That's where the Buzz should be. The shell looks and feels perfect in weave and weight. The sleeves of the Buzz are baggier than the original. A major faux pas in my book. Buzz in the first photo, then the original
The buttons on the Buzz are identical in size and shape but are a darker brown. I've been told originals were made in this shade but I've yet to see any.Also note the difference in stitching pattern.
Buzz buttonholes on top. Totally different.
Buzz label is prety good although the layout is slightly different.
Zipper is pretty spot on, length wise, but I'll take Buzz's marketing ploy of advertising the zippers as 1942 originals with a pinch of salt. The Conmatic brand name, to the best of my knowledge, didn't exist until the early 50's. Still, it's a nice change from the YKK or nasty looking Talons on other repros. I may change the slider to an original Conmar. I'd bet also that there's an order somewhere that stipulated OD zipper tape. This is not an Air Force jacket !
The waist and sleeve tabs. Notice how on the original the stitching continues to the edges, forming small squares in the corners but the Buzz has two seperate lines
Buzz's worst offence, and I've noticed this on every Buzz jacket I've owned, is that the lining is wrong. The original has a fine wool lining that can be worn comfortably next to the skin but the Buzz jacket has a rough wool, or possibly synthetic lining that looks totally wrong, is the wrong colour and is itchy as hell.
I'm sorry if I'm sounding overly negative about this jacket and I could be justifiably accused of nit picking, but that's what we do here, we nit pick. Buzz Rickson are lauded as the premier makers of cloth and nylon jackets, so nit picking is justified. My only problem is that I'm comparing it to just one jacket. Maybe it's like comparing a repro Perry A-2 to an original Star ? If anyone has an original M-41 then your input would be much appreciated.
