Conmatic zipper

[bjoy]

I was researching Conmar Conmatic zippers trying to determine if they were actually available in WWII or not. (I recently purchased a NOS separating zipper with a bell-shaped puller on a green tape described as being "military surplus".)

I found many references to 40's clothing with a Conmatic zipper on the Internet. There is even a Buzz Rickson "U. S. Army Coat Parachute Jumper 1942" with "original WWII NOS" zipper which is described having a "1942 Conmar Conmatic frontal zipper in nickel plate".

I found two references that said this zipper was actually introduced in 1954 as a new design that helps preventing jamming.

Has anybody encountered the Conmatic zipper on any WWII jacket?

 

[deeb7]

I am hoping that Aota Mituhiro, the author of Full Gear, will soon publish his book on zippers ... then we'll have all the answers.

Both of my Buzz B-10's have the Conmatic, which is only evidence that they have a stock of them.

Red Cloud list them in the 1950 - 1960 era ...

http://www.redcloud.co.jp/detail/zipper.htm

 

[watchmanjimg]

I realize my comments are hardly definitive, but I'm pretty sure that L-2B jackets of the 7448C spec used zippers marked "Conmar" while the D and possibly E models have the "Conmatic" type. By 1963-4 I believe they go back to the typical Conmars. The explanation for this may or may not help to date the Conmatic.

 

[Hawkeye]

So there actually was an original "conmatic" branded zipper? My old Buzz B-10 had one, but I thought it was a Buzz house brand that was used instead of Conmar, because of what I assumed to be copyright issues with the Conmar name.

 

[deeb7]

So there actually was an original "conmatic" branded zipper?

There certainly was, BR must have found a bunch stashed away somewhere ... the only question is the date of manufacture.

http://www.historypreservation.com/hpas ... niqnum=202

 

[bjoy]

David, thanks for the additional information.

The two references for this zipper being launched in 1954 are:

http://205.188.238.181/time/magazine/ar ... 28,00.html

http://www.steelzipper.com/conmatic_zipper_details.html

 

[deeb7]

David, thanks for the additional information.

You're welcome .... so 1954 seems to be the year of introduction. Buzz are often incorrect with their dating, but they make a fine jacket.