Original Willis and Geiger M445b in perfect shape

[bazelot]

I just received the M445b that i won a few weeks ago. It is in excellent shape, the best M445b i have had. Next to impossible to upgrade. No weak spots anywhere and no cracking of the shearling as is usually seen on those jackets. This one is 100% wearable but unfortunately a bit big for me. Tag says 38 but sizes more like a 42.
All the original tags are still in the pockets.

 

[bazelot]

More pics

 

[bseal]

Who stole Jorge’s fleece? Time bandit!

 

[Maverickson]

Hi Tom,

What I find amazing is how well kept that jacket truly is. Almost as if it has been in cold storage.

Enjoy!

Cheers, Dave

 

[John Lever]

If you decide to sell please let me know...
I like the wobbly sewing !

 

[917_k]

That’s superb! Gutted I forgot to bid on this.

 

[bazelot]

Who stole Jorge’s fleece? Time bandit!

i went to Florida while he was vacationing in Hawaii and "liberated" it from his storage. he has so many jackets he won't even notice it

 

[Grant]

Lovely shearling! Willis and Geiger made some solid jackets back in the day! Also geeking out at the brass Talon!

 

[bazelot]

If you decide to sell please let me know...
I like the wobbly sewing !

i will let you know

 

[blackrat2]

Wow
That is totally pristine

 

[bazelot]

This is the same one but made by HLB Corp.

 

[tda003]

What a great jacket. Almost makes me wish I hadn't promised not to bid against you, but not quite.

Did you figure out the difference between "A" & "B"?

 

[John Lever]

I wonder if A and B refers to the shoulder seam arm patch configuration?
Some arm patches are sewn into the seam some not.

 

[bazelot]

i will check my jackets but i do believe that there was some overlap in the A and B versions

 

[tda003]

Looking at several examples of M-445A jackets, I see no consistency in the reinforcing arm patches. Some are diamond shaped, some look more oval. One that I've seen of the oval type goes all the way to the shoulder seam. There appear to be some that zip all the way and, more commonly with two buttons on the bottom.. If that kind of variation was permitted in the M-445A, what unique specifications made up the M-445B? An oval oval patch stopping before the shoulder seam would appear to be just another sleeve reinforcement variation unless the specs were changed to require that specific pattern of reinforcement. Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[bazelot]

The jacket above on a mannequin is a m445a, the only difference i can see is that the leather patch on the sleeve goes all the way up to the shoulder.

 

[bazelot]

Another HLB Corp. M445a

 

[bazelot]

And now the mint Monarch M445A. Looks exactly like a m445. There is no rhyme or reason in those designations. It looks like designs cross over desigbations.

 

[John Lever]

The differences are very clear surely ?
Diamond arm patches and full length zip no throat latch m445
Anj4 type variant lozenge shaped arm patches with throat latch with short (buttons) or long zip .m445 a/b

 

[bazelot]

The differences are very clear surely ?
Diamond arm patches and full length zip no throat latch m445
Anj4 type variant lozenge shaped arm patches with throat latch with short (buttons) or long zip .m445 a/b

Yes but my point is that there is no clear difference between the m445a and M445b. I have 2 examples above with he same details but one is a m445a and the other a M445b. It looks like manufacturers used leftover M445a labels when they were making the M445b spec jackets. I have seen that happen a lot with navy contracts. The M-426 flight suit label was often seen in the AN-6550 flight suit which was the next generation of flight suit.