As the world emerged from the depths of WW2, the US Navy began to prepare itself for newer and colder challenges that started to come from Stalin's Russia. This jacket was an early piece to come out of this period of rapid change. Designed to be worn in the coldest places on earth, which as the cold war began, suddenly became the most contested.
As you can imagine from any piece designed for extreme environments, the AL-1 is solid, with an alpaca wool lining and a windproof cotton shell. Zips that are chunky as hell, reinforced with button closures. A ton of pockets, including my favourite hand pockets that also contain knitted cuffs for added warmth. With the soft fur lining, and silk lined sleeves, this is one of the most comfortable military jackets I've come across. Alongside the jacket is the hood which is fully detached, and also fur lined with a wolverine fur outer.
This particular example is named to a pilot who joined the navy in 1940. He was a fighter pilot aboard the carrier USS Enterprise in the Pacific during WW2 and aboard USS Essex during the Korean War. Post Korea he would stay in the Navy, moving into Intelligence, and retire in 1970. I will provide more to the next owner.
Condition
This is in good, solid, wearable condition, but is not perfect. The sleeves are worn as shown in the pictures, and there are a couple of small holes here & there in the shell. Main and inside pocket zips work perfectly, but the cuff zips are frozen, though visually fine. The hood is in perfect condition.
Size
- This would suit a modern size med/large
- Pit to pit 60cm
- Shoulder to shoulder 52cm
- Shoulder to cuff 63cm
- Collar to hem 76cm