COMPARING TWO B3s from old forum

[Roughwear]

Recently I took possession of a duo tone B3 by H. Bernstein in a size 42. It is a transitional B3 in that the maker used hand dyed shearling for the cuffs and one size panel. The rest of the fleece is machine spray dyed. Prior to late 1941 B3s were made using the hand dyed method. The Bernstein contract dates from 1942. There is a picture of one in the Eastman Golden book. The jacket is in remarkably good condition with very little wear to the cuffs and hem. But it has seen service!

The second jacket also does not have the maker on the label and is also a size 42. This contract also dates to 1942 and is machine sprayed a seal brown. The facings are a little lighter than the seal brown shearling, but darker than the russet facings on the Bernstein. It was worn by a Lieutenant in the USAAF and has virtually no wear and I would describe it as "near mint".

The photos show the differences between the two jackets.

Bernstein

No-name maker 42-21700p

Honey-coloured veg tanned fleece of the Bernstein

Chrome Tanned fleece of the Non-name maker

Bernstein pocket

21700p pocket-note the differences in shape.

Hand dyed cuffs on the Bernstein

Machine sprayed cuffs.

Bernstein spec label

21700p label

Buckles on the Bernstein

21700p

Collar seam on the Bernstein

21700p

Bernstein's tripple marked Talon zip

Tripple talon on 21700p

 

[T-Bolt]

Great series of shots there Andrew.........thanks for those!


Ted