Original Irvin advice

[Flash Badger]

Hello all, I’m hoping some of you Irvin minded people might be able to help me. I’ve been asked to sell this “irvin” on behalf of a friend but it has a few wee issues that make me unsure of it’s origins.

1. The tag has been cut out along with the piece of sheepskin behind it. Strange move or is it a method that the RAF may have used to make the jacket Unserviceable?

2 there is no loops on the collar for the elastic to attach to.

3 the collar has a pinless buckle to close the throat latch rather than plain rings.

4. The Wind flap behind the zipper is a different hide from the body of the jacket there is also stitch holesdown the length of it suggesting it may have been originally fitted to trousers perhaps. Wartime shortages or post war recondition?

5 the arm zippers are not Lightning (the main zip is) or DOT however they do look old?

Whats your thoughts? It certainly feels and smells like originals I have owned before but I don’t want to pass on something that may not be as it seems?

 

[Flash Badger]

Oops, wrong area. Could admin please move this the appropriate spot.
Sorry!
Garry

 

[Chris 55]

It certainly has a lot of the right features as in belt buckle and zips the sleeve zips had broken but they have managed to keep them which is a good thing.
The windflap look's like a repair as you say possibly with Irvin trousers as the seem tape is thicker than normal and the slightly different stitch length on the zip.
I would say the collar buckle had been replaced at the same time as the repair on the back off the neck.
It's possibly early 1940s due to zips and it being 4 panel again possibly links made.
I'm sure others will chip in if I'm off the mark.
Nice jacket.
What size is it.

 

[Flash Badger]

Thanks for the advice Chris. There is no size on in but I would say it was somewhere around a medium. It’s a pity that it has issues as the hide is solid as is the stitching so it has plenty of life in it yet I think.
Garry

 

[Chris 55]

Thanks for the advice Chris. There is no size on in but I would say it was somewhere around a medium. It’s a pity that it has issues as the hide is solid as is the stitching so it has plenty of life in it yet I think.
Garry

When it's laid flat are the arm's rounded like a banana or tube like.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Some of these lare Multi Panel Irvins were made from reclaimed trousers, might explain the stitch holes on the windflap
As these were never an "exact" patterns it would be fairly easy to get a new reclaimed piece set into the back of the neck. total unobtrusively if done properly
The current repair is a real killer
These later ones were never fitted with back collar straps
All the other issues have been covered by others

And sorry, but Aero are too busy right now to take on sheepskin repairs, even easy ones like this

 

[Chris 55]

Thanks for the advice Chris. There is no size on in but I would say it was somewhere around a medium. It’s a pity that it has issues as the hide is solid as is the stitching so it has plenty of life in it yet I think.
Garry

I would if mine would be to replace the 2 panels in the back and change the wind flap also redo the collar strap and buckle..
I got hold of and old pair of Irvin trousers for doing repairs.