Vintage US Navy Watch Cap from the Vietnam Era

While picking through piles of old clothing, hats, handbags, and scarves, we're always happy to find vintage military wool caps. Not many of these made it through the years and wars without being destroyed or lost. 30, 40, 50 or 60 years ago, no one could probably even fathom the value that a simple stocking cap could have in the long term.

This one sold at auction for $175.50 here. Made by Rudolph Knitting Mills, it was probably issued to the sailor who wore it in 1970.

We've recently picked up another Navy watch cap that will be put to auction soon. These are always pretty exciting auctions so we can hardly wait! We'll post pics after it's up.

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap Nomenclature Tag. The DSA number dates this cap's issue at 1970.

Vintage US Navy Watch Cap (unrolled)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket

Since I started a winter theme with the last posting, I thought I'd publish some photos of the most wintery of winter jackets ever made.

This M445-A Jacket was very early or pre-WW2. The Navy made some changes after this model was issued, and the army changed it again to make the more common  B-3 jacket.

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (back)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (Early Talon Zipper)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (collar)

WW2 US Navy M445a Shearling Flight Jacket (nomenclature label)

WW2 A-1 Horsehide Flight Pants by Switlik Parachute & Equipment Company

 Before the advent of the pressurized cabin, early military pilots would have to do some serious bundling to survive to sub-zero temperatures at high altitude flight.  Sheepskin flight pants and coats were a staple amongst the US Army Air Corps from the 30s up through World War 2.

There is much documentation and trade happening of the "B" series flight pants, but I haven't been able to find much about the earlier "A-1" flight pants.  Unlike the B-1, which is made entirely of sheepskin, these A-1 pants are made of a much more durable horsehide with the sheepskin being quilted to the inside.  I suspect that, much like the A-2 horsehide jackets, production costs and supply forced the Army to find a more practical alternative in order to keep up with the war-time demand.

An excellent condition pair of B-1 flight pants can fetch between $250 and $400, but due to the limited availability, I have no idea what the actual value of a pair of A-1 flight pants is.


This pair was made by the Switlik Parachute & Equipment Company probably in the mid-late 1930s.  I'm assuming that they are one of the earliest examples of a pair of high altitude flight pants.  You can check back and find out how much these sold for here.

A-1 US Army Air Corps Flight Pants

A-1 US Army Air Corps Flight Pants Back Side

Unzipped inside

One 1930s Wide Head Talon Zipper for each leg.

US Navy G-1 (m-422) Jacket and it's Civilian Equivalents

Entire books have been devoted to the US Navy G-1 flight jacket.  There have been dozens of makers contracted by the government to produce them.  Rather than try to write the entire history, I'll just direct you here for a good rundown.

Of all of the jackets issued by the military, these are defiantly my favorite.  The shade of the leather, material, and color of the collar make each jacket fairly original and unique.

If you want an authentic USN jacket, there are a few things to look for to make sure they aren't a civilian jacket.  Each Navy issued jacket will have "USN" poked into the windflap behind the zipper.  They feature a heavy Conmar zipper, and an identifying tag at the nape of the neck which will tell you the maker and year issued.  Quite often (although not on these examples) a white "USN" is stenciled on the back of the collar.

The first jacket below is a 1940s civilian jacket made by Durable.  The rich brown horshide, paired with the caramel mouton collar and the angled breast pocket made this jacket a winner at auction.  It was bought from another picker for $100 and sold at auction for $315.

1940s Durable civilian jacket made of Horsehide

1940s Durable Horsehide Jacket

This next jacket is 1940s civilian jacket, as well.  It's on it's way to the leather shop for a new waistband, cuffs, and zipper.  Horsehide leather.  Maker unknown.

Unknown 1940s Horsehide Flight Jacket with new waistband, cuffs, and zipper.

Unknown 1940s Horsehide Jacket

The official military G-1 jacket didn't really come into being until after WW2.  Previous to 1947, the jacket that was to become the G-1 was called the M-422.  The G-1 is still issued for naval flying today by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

G-1 flight jackets were tight fitting and often worn underneath heavier flight jackets to keep pilots and crew warm at extremely high altitudes.

The leather itself is almost always goatskin, which is extremely tough and durable without being as heavy as other leathers.

These two jackets will be going to auction within the next few days.

A pair of US Navy issued Type G-1 Intermediate Flyers Jackets

1961 Type G-1 Flyers Jacket by Ralph Edwards Sportswear

Backside 1961 Type G-1 Flyers Jacket by Ralph Edwards Sportswear

Military issued G-1 jackets have a fairly complex lining which mimics the bi-swing shoulders and waistband of the shell.  They also have one inside pistol or map pocket.

Inside G-1 Jacket

The colors of the leather and collar can very greatly between jackets.

1960s US Navy Type G-1 Jacket by unknown maker

Navy G-1 Flyers Jacket Perforated Wind Flap

Barely legible military spec tag for Type G-1 Flyers Jacket by Ralph Edwards Sportswear

 Many more modern leather makers have created and sold there own versions of the G-1 flyers jacket.  Although they don't maintain the same collectable value as the military issued jackets.  They can still be very valuable and sought after.

This Schott I-S-674 is a bit of a bastard child of the G-1 and A-2 jackets with a little bit of there own twist thrown in.  The hide is much heavier than the military jackets and it's also pile lined for warmth.  It's become one of my favorite jackets and won't be for sale until I find a better replacement.

60s-70s Schott Brothers I-S-647-M-S

60s-70s Schott Brothers I-S-647-M-S

US Navy N-1 Deck Jacket (WW2 and Post)

During World War 2, the N-1 deck jacket was standard issue to all enlisted Navy personnel.   It originally featured a heavy "Jungle-Cloth" outer shell with a man-made "alpaca" fur lining.  These jackets were/are extremely weather repellant and warm.  This first one is a post-WW2 deck jacket that we recently put to auction and received $206.47.  It was in immaculate shape but had none of the desirable USN stenciling or sailor customization.  Just a fine example of an N-1 deck jacket the way it would have been issued.

Post WW2 N-1 Deck Jacket

Note the difference in the pile lining from the WW2 version.  Also, an aluminum YKK zipper.

This N-1 Jacket is from the WW2 period, complete with stains, stencils, and wear from the era. It appears to have been issued to 2 different sailors, with the second writing his name over the first on the back.  Perhaps the first perrished in combat, who knows.

One of the perks/downfalls of being a picker is that you don't really own anything, you just get to use it for a while.  This N-1 is being used by me personally until it's restoration is completed.  A new-old-stock Conmar zipper will replace the replacement.  The missing buttons will be replaced with originals.  The tattered elbow will mended.  It will receive a mild cleaning to remove the loose dirt, and possibly the USN stencil on the front will be touched back up to make it visible again.  Once all of this is done, and something else catches my fancy, it will be placed at auction.  The projected value is somewhere between $350-$500.

WW2 era US Navy N-1 Deck Jacket

What's left of the U.S.N. stencil on the left breast.

N-1 Deck Jacket Back Veiw

Second owners name written over the first's

Interior Alpaca lining and new-old-stock Conmar zipper

Manufactures label no longer legible.

Wool, knit cuffs in remarkably good condition.

A poor quality zipper had replaced the original.  This Conmar NOS will replace it.