I'm not sure which nerdy part of me likes this most, the obscenely rare, the RAF collector, the Brit, the American or the denim hunter. It ticks pretty much every box. As the war loomed the RAF looked for ways to get more people with flying experience and founded the Civil Air Guard. This didn't last too long before war broke out, so CAG items are particularly rare!
Carhartt as it expanded in the 1920s and 30s established a number of factories outside the US. The Canadian branch is pretty well known, but the British factory in Liverpool less so. I've found contracts with the British government dating back as far as WW1, but pieces from Carhartt UK of this era are hellishly hard to find. It made from Bradford Dyers Association Rigmel shrunk denim, so one assumes the denim was made in Yorkshire at one of the many cotton mills there.
The suit itself follows essentially the same pattern as the prestige suits used by RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain, but most obviously, its made of denim. There are map pockets on both lower legs, ties on the ankles and cuffs, bellowed pockets to the chest, epaulettes, and pockets and access points for ones trousers below on either side of the waist. The top removable buttons are the CAG branded type, but the lower buttons are Carhartt 1 star buttons. The comes with a flight wing and flag to the sleeve, both embroidered.
This is an exceptionally rare piece of denim with interest to Carhartt collectors, RAF enthusiasts and anyone who generally likes hard-to-find pieces!
Condition
Mint. Maybe one wash but perfect.
Size
- Tagged a 36
- Pit to pit 20"
- Sleeve 23"
- waist 17"
- Inside leg 26"