HLB B-3 Flight Jacket

[FancyPants]

Hello. I just found this HLB flight jacket. It's rough, but not bad overall. Leather supple. Zipper works. Just one real abrasion. Doesn't smell.

It's a size 38 regular.
33H5595
order # W535-AC-17811
HLB Corp NY

All straps and buckles are present. The jacket hanger on the inside of the collar is missing. Can anyone of you tell me more?

 

[ausreenactor]

G'day and Welcome...

Without pics I would hazard a guess it is a Japanese repro, based on the almost new condition you describe....

Where did you source it?

 

[MikeyB-17]

Does anybody reproduce an HLB?
We’re going to need pics (and if you do, please don’t use the thumbnail option). If it’s not a repro, it’s a WWII era jacket.

 

[ausreenactor]

Does anybody reproduce an HLB?
We’re going to need pics (and if you do, please don’t use the thumbnail option). If it’s not a repro, it’s a WWII era jacket.

RM and BR...

The big guys do all the Contracts...

 

[FancyPants]

G'day and Welcome...

Without pics I would hazard a guess it is a Japanese repro, based on the almost new condition you describe....

Where did you source it?

Hi. I added some pictures. It's not a very user friendly format, but hopefully you can see enough to office some insight.

 

[FancyPants]

Does anybody reproduce an HLB?
We’re going to need pics (and if you do, please don’t use the thumbnail option). If it’s not a repro, it’s a WWII era jacket.

I added some pictures. I hope they are of help.

 

[ausreenactor]

That looks like an original...

Not sure what the cut in the label signifies? De-Mil?

Here is the RM label...

 

[OperationCoffee]

That's an original without question. Good score.

 

[FancyPants]

Thanks. I found it at a thrift store. Do you have any idea of era?

 

[mulceber]

Thanks. I found it at a thrift store. Do you have any idea of era?

February 1941, if I'm reading the contract number right. Good find!

 

[flyincowboy]

Look like a nice jacket !.

 

[Micawber]

An original HLB B-3.

Briefly..

The B-3 is the kind of jacket worn by bomber crews as a token protection against cold during high altitude operations during the Second World War until superseded by improved garments later in the conflict. Search this forum or the internet for full details of the history of the garment.

USAAF shearling jackets of the era while outwardly appearing ok can prove to be fragile and prone to rot or tearing easily. Traditional advice is not to keep them on a hanger but rather store on a body form / mannequin or laid flat out if sunlight.

 

[MikeyB-17]

Good job on the pics. Looks to be in good shape, although always hard to tell from pics. I think the label has just split from use.

 

[Silver Surfer]

nice catch. as mentioned, be careful handling it, as they are fragile.

 

[Grant]

Looks like the right shoulder already showing areas of cracking, so please get it off that hanger!

 

[mulceber]

Agreed, imho it's best not to store vintage jackets on hangers at all, but especially shearling.

 

[FancyPants]

What do you think it’s worth?

 

[Silver Surfer]

I was waiting for that...

 

[MikeyB-17]

Uh-huh. We don’t do valuations. Have a look on EBay and the like, should give you an idea.

 

[Micawber]

Was only a matter of time...

...and not even a please or thank you