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That's kind of how I felt, Tim. However, I'm beginning to feel as if this thread has turned more into a debate over the decal than an opportunity to congratulate you on an EXCELLENT score. If given a choice between the $3500 Vintage Trends offering and yours at around 1/10 the price, I say screw the decal!
It arrived and it is superb. Musty but an airing should sort that. clean and free from damage. Not a nip on the cuffs"!!! I took the decision to open up small sections of the front flap with a scalpel and lovingly insert loops cut from a spare m51 jacket drawcord before machining them into place along the original seam. This made the two blown button loops serviceable again. The knackered waist drawcord will just have to stay gone because bartacking at either side prevents insertion of a replacement. Crowns work well and there is no fraying on the hems, no stains, fur doesnt shed and the hood lining is fluffy as I could hope. nothing to detract at all.
There is zero evidence of any decal. Particularly I have studied the seam where tiny remanants may remain and there is nothing at all., no ghosting no flecks, nada. I am not presuming to say that there never was one (however much it seems that way) all I am saying is there is no trace at all.
DEEELIGHTED..
pics may follow once daylight graces us again.
Note tthe replacement waist drawcord and the button loops on the windflap which have been added to upgrade the shot components. The drawcord was a pigs orphan to thread in but it was worth it. I dont think it looks out of place.
I don't know if any one person can lay claim to being the creator of the N-3 in the way of Capt Denison and his famous para smock, but if ever a testament to a great design exists, it is the fact that this parka hasn't changed in 60 or so years and has seen action in allcthe cold regions of the planet, shows what a great design it is.
Of course the quailty of materials and general construction have become woefull with the passing of time but so has it for all things .
You are right of course. It is Iconoc and has set the model for parkas. People dont mess with things that arent broke.
I used to shuffle home from school with a blue snorkel parka on in the 70's. I was issued one on loan (N3b Nyco mix) whilst seconded to the USAF. Out 'shopping' with my sister two days ago I was interested to see shameless takes on the pattern showing little deviance from the original from Levis, fred perry, ralph lauren and others. I myself own a Gap one which has internal mobile phone and MP3 pockets with speaker wire loops addititonal arm pocket on the right and small paperback size pocket inside low down. nylon ERDL camo liner and the most convincing fake fur you could imagine. Its not an authentic jacket by any means as you will have gathered but it was a cheap way (£30) of indulging my N3 passion to prevent me from making crap decisions while the right one came along. I kind of like it now and people are complimentary.
I am still marvelling at the state of preservation of my N3 though.