The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program developed as part of FDR’s “New Deal” and established in 1933 under the Emergency Conservation Work Act.  The CCC was largely responsible for working on government outdoor projects, such as creating and maintaining national parks; many of the sites and trails we enjoy in the USA to this day in our national parks are directly attributed to the workers of the CCC. 

Although a civilian organization, CCC clothing was under direct responsibility of the U. S. Army Quartermaster, hence all contracts for clothing were procured and developed via the U. S. Army QM.  Buzz Rickson’s masterfully recreated this extraordinarily rare work coat from the days of The Great Depression (only a few examples of this coat are known to exist today in private collections and not even the U. S. Army Quartermaster museum owns such a coat).  It is noteworthy that a well-worn vintage example of this coat was outfitted on legendary actor James Stewart in the 1953 western film "The Naked Spur," where this classic style easily can be passed off as a style of the 1870's.  Buzz Rickson's is introducing again this classic design that is as handsome and durable as it was over 80 years ago. 

No expense was spared in re-creating this gem from the days of extreme hardship and challenge in American history. Buzz Rickson’s deftly recreated a heavy worsted-wool blanket-like fabric using vintage machinery to both loom and assemble this fabulous work coat, then the waistband, a style common in the 1930’s, was custom made of singe-ply cotton and elastic using special looms indigenous to the era, resulting in amazing clone-like authenticity that is further complemented by the authentic cat’s-eye urea buttons.

Warm and durable enough for most fall and winter outdoor activities, and uniquely styled with a shawl collar once so typical in outerwear of the “good old days,” this Buzz Rickson’s masterpiece is sure to serve you as well as it did those poor-yet-hardworking men of the CCC.  Please note these authentic features found only on a Buzz Rickson’s coat of this pedigree:

• Button-front closure
• Vintage-style shawl collar that can be extended well high onto the lower jaw and ear areas
• Custom manufacturing of vintage-style black urea cat’s-eye buttons
• Custom manufacturing of the correct heavy worsted-wool blanket-like fabric using vintage machinery
• The waistband is typical in design and construction to a style common in the 1930’s. These are woven of singe-ply cotton and elastic using special looms indigenous to the era and our reproduction has spared no expense in recreating this intricately unique waistband style, which includes utilizing the exact vintage looms that can generate this fabric to clone-like authenticity today
• Coat assembly using vintage sewing machinery
• Heavy bar tacks at upper pocket corners for extra strength at these key stress points
• Pocket flaps and interior cuffs on sleeve ends are backed with all-cotton black twill exactly as found on the original jacket style
• Exact copy of the original-style label found on the vintage coat now retained in the archives of Buzz Rickson’s. The label is woven with nomenclature printed in typical U. S. Army fashion. The contract is dated 1935 and clearly indicates the fact that the CCC was outfitted via the U. S. Army as evidenced by the contract number beginning with “W-669-QM” (War Dept. Phila. Quartermaster), followed by “ECW-231” (Emergency Conservation Work contract 231).
• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not a sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams
• DRY CLEAN ONLY

Even sizes 36-44 Regular (these run large).   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

Last few left!

The Buzz Rickson design team has taken a vintage flying jacket design that was one of many civilian styles of the late 1920s and early 1930s, most of which were similar in appearance to the A-1 Jacket of U. S. Air Corps fame and likely produced in a finished horsehide, cowhide or sheepskin, and given the style a hide finish that is contemporary and likely not offered by any other manufacturer to date, thus we introduce Buzz Rickson’s nubuck horsehide!

Horeshide has long been cherished for its durability and related equine prowess. Nubuck leathers combine the natural great looks of suede but with the durability and more of the soil resistance associated with finished leathers and not associated with suede. Classic suede is made from the softer, less durable flesh side of an animal’s hide, while nubuck is made from the hide’s exterior skin and NOT its flesh side, hence the skin side is far more durable and much less prone to soiling and much more easily cleaned. The exterior skin is what is typically finished smooth and dyed to craft leather goods from, but by sanding this same side of the leather, the tannery is able to produce the beauty of suede but with a finer texture and far greater durability – the type of long-term durability one normally associates with the skin side of finished leather.

This Buzz Rickson’s nubuck horsehide jacket is crafted from the finest vegetable-tanned horsehide imported from Italy; Italy is renowned for producing most of the best vegetable-tanned horsehide in the world. The hides are all 1.3 mm in thickness, and after tanning they are finely sanded and turned into nubuck horsehide to give the end user a jacket that is as unique as it is good looking and durable.

Please note the following features found on this Buzz Rickson masterpiece:

• Precision copy of a vintage label design produced on vintage shuttle looms
• Custom manufacturing of the cotton broadcloth lining in medium green
• Two button-flap exterior pockets
• Genuine, vintage-style cat’s-eye nut buttons
• Hip adjusters with hammered-look metal buckles
• Leather outer shell crafted from 1.3 mm-thick, vegetable-tanned, nubuck horsehide imported from Italy
• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes 38-42 Regular.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan