Original & Ultra Rare Large Size RAF Irvin Flight Flying Leather Jacket From WW2

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Original & Ultra Rare Large Size RAF Irvin Flight Flying Leather Jacket From WW2:
$1999.00

Original and Ultra Rare Large Size RAF Irvin
Flight Flying Leather Jacket From WW2

This is a 100% ORIGINAL early WW2 RAF flying jacket in good original and honest condition, with great naturally worn patina, and in a very large size.

Its large panel construction and lack of AM stamps to cuff zip would indicate manufacture before late 1940. This jacket is wired as the electrically-heated type, as issued to bomber crews. All zips in functioning condition. Main centre zip is a period replacement by \'Aero\'. Slightly unstitched at one end, as seen in photo, but works fine. Cuff zips are original and are by \'Dot Made in England\'. Leather collar strap present. Metal rings present, but stitching is worn. Collar eye hooks have been removed. 8 underarm grommets. Maker\'s label is long gone, however hanging chain is present, unstitched at one end. Leather belt and buckle in good condition. Sheepskin in overall good condition. There are three old patched repairs to back edge of right sleeve, as seen in image. Some old traces of blue paint to back of this sleeve. Wear to ends of cuffs, as seen in images. Cuffs have been worn turned back, and are shown unfolded in final image. Obviously, this jacket was too large, and the sleeves too long, for the airman it was issued to. The electric connecting terminals were removed from the jacket early in its life, as evidenced by the natural and even overall patina. This early type of wired jacket, dating to pre-late 1940, was never fitted with the cuff-stud to attache the wired glove. Otherwise all wiring and leather covering appears to be present.

In my opinion, this is a good large size jacket that at 70+ years old is still durable and robust enough to be worn. There is a degree of dryness to some areas, such as around the cuffs (when turned back), and in my opinion the patched sleeve repairs only serve to enhance the jacket\'s character. I have never attempted to oil, feed or polish the jacket, for I prefer an untouched appearance to such a jacket. All old leather flight jackets are really very much down to the individual collector\'s taste, and my own preference is for something that has an honest and genuine look, and with a decent patina and/or a few period repairs to show that it has at least \'had a life\'.

Dimensions, jacket laid flat on floor and zipped up, are as follows:

Armpit - Armpit = 25.1/2 in (65 cm). This dimension is taken from the top centre of the underarm leather triangle with grommets.
Total chest = 51 in (130 cm). This dimension is taken by running a cloth tape entirely around jacket body, across chest, beneath armpits
Armpit - bottom hem of body = 17 in (43.5 cm). This dimension is taken from the leather binding tape at armpit, down to hem
Inside sleeve = 21.1/4 in (54 cm) with cuff folded back, 23.1.4 in (59 cm) with cuff folded down.
Outside sleeve = 24 in. (61.5 cm) with cuff folded back, 26 in (66.5 cm) with cuff folded down.
Length, down back = 25.1/2 in (65 cm). Dimension taken from neck/collar seam down to hem.

The photos shown below are an important part of my description of this item. Please review them carefully and contact me if you need more information or pictures.

The winning buyer is welcome to pay by bank transfer, PayPal or cash pickup. I ship worldwide by Express Courier International. Please contact me if you need a shipping quote before the sale ends.

If you have a special Customs request I\'m happy to help, such as marking the package as a gift with low Customs value. Please note I have no control over possible delays caused by your country\'s Customs Service. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the sale price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility. If necessary, please check with your country\'s Customs Service before offerding.

New buyers with a response score less than 5 please contact me before offerding otherwise I will have to cancel the offers. Thank you..

Thank you for looking.