1940s C. C. Filson Mackinaw Cruiser Hunting Jacket

This is a late 40s Filson jacket that was rescued from a trip to the dump.  Even with the few moth bites to it, we picked it up and set it to auction.


This is one of the 16 oz.wool surge jackets that were very popular amongst Pacific Northwest foresters, lumberjacks and firefighters as well as hunters.

 The auction was pretty uneventful, probably because fall/winter clothing sales are low this time of year, but whoever got it found a great gem of an item in a sea of eBay crap.

1940s Filson Mackinaw Cruiser Jacket

1940s Filson Mackinaw Cruiser Jacket Back

!940s Filson Mackinaw Cruiser Jacket inside

1940s Filson "Union Made" Label

1930s Denim Hunting / Work Vest

1930s Vintage Denim Hunting Vest

Yet another treasure fished out of the Goodwill bins.

This 1930s hunting vest had seen quite a bit of action in it's lifetime.  It had plenty of paint and blood stains, and was missing a button off of the front pocket.

We were happy that this was sold to a world renowned vintage collector/publisher/clothing maker.  It will become a museum piece that will be cherished for many decades to come.  This vest was about 30 minutes away from being shredded to rags until we dug it out.

Final auction price: $276.00

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Back Side

 

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Game Pouch

1930s Denim Hunting Vest Interior

WW2 Army A-4 Wool Mechanics Cap from Castle Gate

WW2 Army A-4 Wool Mechanics Cap from Castle Gate

 These rare wool caps were only officially issued to Army Air Corps airplane mechanics.  Since they needed to squeeze into small spaces, the official billed "beanie" cap was deemed a little bit too cumbersome. 

It has been noted that Army paratroopers managed to acquire and use these quite frequently.

WW2 Army A-4 Wool Mechanics Cap from Castle Gate

We put this hat up to auction last week and were surprised that it fetched a whopping $218.84.  It was a really nice, almost unissued looking example.  The money that collectors will spend on items is always baffling.

WW2 Army A-4 Wool Mechanics Cap from Castle Gate (Inside-out)

WW2 Army A-4 Wool Mechanics Cap  Spec Tag

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.

1966 Voice of Music Model 362 Three Piece Phonograph or: "Whatever happened to West Michigan manufacturing?"

Made very close to my home town in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the Voice of Music company started making phonographs in 1944.  Not exactly an opportune time to start a new manufacturing company given the United States was heavily involved in WW2.  But V-M kept plugging along, and became a stereo producing juggernaut throughout the fifties an into the mid-60s.

 In the late 60s and early 70s, when all the other major electronics manufacturers were shifting their production over seas,  Voice of Music refused, keeping all of their production in Benton Harbor, which ultimately led to their demise.  The company finally came to an end in 1977 when a power failure in New York City prevented a wire transfer of critically needed funds, and the company declared bankruptcy.

If you're interested in restoring one of these, or the history of the company, everything you need can be found here.

The Voice of Music Model 362 pictured below was in production in 1966 when V-M was at the top of their game.  A true testament to the quality and craftsmanship of American manufacturing, this stereo still functions nearly fifty years later. The sound is amazing an loud.  This three-piece system was well worth the $5.00 we spent for it, and it looks as though it's taken up permanent residence in our living room.

1966 Voice of Music Model 362

Speakers are removable so you can space out your sound.

V-M phonograph with record changer

1966 Voice of Music Model 362 all closed up and ready for transport.

1966 Voice of Music Model 362 backside.

Four Speed Turntable

1966 Voice of Music Model 362

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Leather Jacket

Just picked up this beauty on a trip to the bins this week.

This thing is up for auction tonight here.
 
It's hard to find much info on this maker, but from what I can gather, they were associated with the J.C. Penny company at some point.  They may have been one of the contractors Penny's used to manufacture their line of leather jackets.  I've found some examples of Daniel Boone labels being sewn over Penny's labels.



At any rate, here's some photos of one awesome 40s horsehide jacket:

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Jacket

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Jacket Back

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Jacket Quilted Lining

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Jacket Label

Conmar "Conmatic" Zipper

1940s Daniel Boone Trail Blazer Horsehide Jacket

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