Cut Down Flight Jacket - Ever seen one of these?

[Tod Rathbone]

I have this interesting jacket that I bought on ebay a while ago. It was cheap but it looked really interesting. I thought I would post pictures here and get feedback on how this jacket came to be. It started off as a typical Army model winter un-heated fur-lined flight suit. At some point, it was cut down to a waist jacket. The center belt was used to form the waist. The central zipper was cut and looped so that it would work in this short format and not lose the zipper pull in the process. A snap was added to make the waist look tidy. Also, the inside of the jacket is rabbit with the exception of the sleeves which are dark curly and appear to be yak fur,

So the question is whom would have cut it down? The Japanese pilot? Someone later? I thought the snap might give a clue as all other parts are original to the flight suit. It is handsome.

Tod

[Tod Rathbone]

Jacket picture

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[Tod Rathbone]

Jacket inside fur

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[Tod Rathbone]

Looped zipper

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[Tod Rathbone]

Added snap on waist belt

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[A.E. Hamilton]

cut down fur lined flight suit

This was a fairly common practice by americans to try and get some use out of their trophy. I have seen quite a few but none exactly like the one you purchased. For some reason, I have never seen it done to a navy suit. You can usually tell where it is cut and the belt added if you examine it very closely. Reminds me that the only shoulder holster that is actually documented of which I am aware is owned by the brother of a famous collector and the brother had it made in Japan in 1945 for his trophy Type 94. Of course it is Japanese leather, rings and snaps.

[MikeB]

Cut down flight jacket...

Interesting jacket Tod. Is there any kind of depot tags or other markings left behind from the original issue? Thanks for sharing! Mike

[A.E. Hamilton]

cut down jacket

Normally that suit has the Army stamped markings just inside the left front of the suit.

[Tod Rathbone]

Yes, there is a stamp. Very faint. I will work on pulling it out and post later tonight.

Tod

[Tod Rathbone]

Stamp

Here is the stamp. Please tell me what it says?

[Eric Doody]

Tod,

All I can make out in the procurement depot block (this is the rectangular stamping on the top) are the kanji for medium (size) and what appears to be 1942. (This block would normally have the procurement depot, date of procurement, and size of the clothing stamped into the block.)

It appears as if the jacket may have been un-issued as the personal information block (this is the rectangular stamping below the procurement depot stamping) is blank. Normally this (personal information) block would have been filled out if the jacket had been issued.

The small oval stamping in the lower left corner is the stamp of the person that inspected the jacket at the procurement depot.

Hope this helps.

Eric

[Tod Rathbone]

Eric,

Thanks. That does help. And it must have made quite a cool souvenir. Do guys collect this kind of thing? Anybody have any idea what this kind of thing would get amongst collectors?

Cheers,

Tod

[Eric Doody]

Tod,

Glad I could be of assistance.

Yes, I am sure that these cut-down or modified flight jackets where very popular souvenirs.

Unfortunately though, a majority of the collectors I know prefer to own complete or unmodified examples of such flight suits in their collections.

Insofar as value, a complete Army high-altitude flight suit with belt, working zippers, and in very good condition can typically be found in the $350 to $400 USD price range.

Hope this helps.

Eric

Eric,

Thanks. That does help. And it must have made quite a cool souvenir. Do guys collect this kind of thing? Anybody have any idea what this kind of thing would get amongst collectors?

Cheers,

Tod

[MikeB]

down Flight Jacket....

I have to agree with Eric, Tod. Most collectors want the complete set and usually not a piece of it cut down. It is a great relic, however, and was interesting to view here