An all-time favorite of gentleman’s attire has been deftly executed by Buzz Rickson’s – the Original-Spec. Khaki Chino Trousers! The Original-Spec. Khaki Chino trousers by Buzz Rickson’s get their name due to these being made from an original spec. of the Buzz Rickson’s brand.  This design is derived from a blend of different U. S. Army specs. of the 1940s, taking a little from each spec., the sum of which is this top-selling khaki chino trouser produced by Buzz Rickson’s.

The quality of materials, construction detailing, and overall fit will surely impress any diehard fan of classic chino trousers.  Crafted from hard-wearing uniform twill that matches the original military spec. in color, heft and hand perfectly, these trousers will outlast and surpass in appearance and quality ANY high-profile competitor’s khaki chino trousers you can find.  The fit of our chino trousers is not at all baggy or tight; Buzz Rickson’s Original-Spec. Khaki Chino Trousers are sensibly tailored and yet still very comfortable.  This is the only chino trouser on the market today that so closely emulates the fit and appearance observed on the chino trousers immortalized by Steve McQueen in his famous role as “Virgil Hilts” from the classic WWII PoW film “The Great Escape.”

Noteworthy features of Buzz Rickson’s Original-Spec. Khaki Chino Trousers include:

•Slimmer fit in the seat, thigh area and the lower leg as opposed to the fuller cut found on any of the other khaki chino trousers produced by Buzz Rickson’s.

•Slightly lower front rise than on most other chino trousers by Buzz Rickson's.

•All leg, seat and crotch seams are double-stitched and wrap-folded for extra strength.

•Inner-hung pockets and waistband are fabricated from heavy-weight, off-white cotton drill, exactly as the original military trousers of the 1940s were made.

•Waist and inseam size stamped in black into the waistband, exactly as found on the original military examples from the 1940s.

•Brown-colored genuine urea button at waist.

•Brass zipper at fly opening.

•Narrow-stitched, double-welt rear pockets and watch pocket (located on right front below waist).

•Seven belt loops for better support of your belt.

•Pre-washed for greater softness when new, and pre-shrunk so you can readily determine the correct size with no guessing about after-wash fitting.

Sizes:

28 x 32”

29 x 32.5”

30” x 32.5”

31” x 33.5”

32” x 33.5”

33” x 34.5”

34” x 34.5”

36” x 34.5”

38" x 36.5"

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

The designers at Buzz Rickson have added the famous removable liner to their offerings, thus enabling their masterpiece M-65 Field Jacket to be enjoyed with all the versatility the vintage jacket made famous. The Buzz Rickson removable liner is complete with all of the features found on the vintage liners, including the inner batting made of 100% polyester for cold weather and the button holes that allow the liner to be married to the buttons on the inside of the M-65 Field Jacket. But this Buzz Rickson liner goes even further, being made in genuine U. S. Army camouflage and adding a few features sometimes added on an individual basis by the wearer to make the liner even more versatile, such as a frontal zipper with snap-down closure, an interior pocket, and two exterior pockets; these additional features allow the liner to be worn as a jacket on its own!

The liner outer shell is crafted from high-quality, 100% cotton in camouflage, which was not a feature found on the vintage liners but the Buzz Rickson design team thought this would look awesome when worn either as a liner or as an outer jacket.

Whether worn in conjunction with a Buzz Rickson M-65 Field Jacket as part of the military’s time-proven layering system or on its own, this Buzz Rickson M-65 Removable Liner is sure to please on many levels. Please note the following features found on this Buzz Rickson masterpiece: 

• Precision copy of a vintage label design (though the label states that the liner should not be dry cleaned, Buzz Rickson only endorses dry cleaning of their liner, thus the label text is reproduced purely for authenticity)
• Custom manufacturing of the all-cotton fabric using vintage looms, and screen printing of the original U. S. Army camouflage pattern
• Two open-top pockets on liner exterior
• One interior pocket
• Exact copy of a vintage CONMATIC zipper in brass with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric and not incorrect poly-cotton. The HBT fabric is light olive drab, creating an attractive contrast against the camouflage outer shell.
• Blackened-brass press studs on the liner closure to secure the wind flap over the zipper
• All attachment tabs and buttonholes to provide for securing the liner correctly to the  M-65 Field Jacket
• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes XS-XXL Regular.   The fit is generous, thus a 46” chest measure can be comfortably accommodated in size XXL. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

The U. S. Navy developed and used many different styles of cold-weather gear and clothing during the 1940s. A sailor’s duties are very often performed in the most challenging and harsh weather conditions while at sea, thus clothing needed to be durable, warm and functional. Winter jackets, commonly referred to as “Deck Jackets,” became the most cherished clothing articles of sailors during WWII and among collectors today. Most of the deck jackets used in WWII evolved from a blue zip-front design that was very similar in appearance to the U. S. Army’s Winter Combat Jacket (Tanker Jacket). By late 1943, the second version of this Deck Jacket design was being phased out of production and an entirely new design was being brought into use:  the N-1.

This all-new jacket took into account the lessons learned from two hard years of warfare at sea. Though still manufactured with the same dark blue corded-cotton outer shell as on earlier examples, alpaca fur was now used as the lining material and the torso length grew longer for greater protection from the elements. The knit collar was replaced with an alpaca-fur collar, and also gone were the knit waist bands, exposed knit cuffs and patch pockets of the old jackets, all of which tended to snag on various objects or parts of a ship and cause tearing. A new cuff design incorporated the knit cuff hidden up inside the sleeve, thus keeping the knit from snagging while still keeping out the cold wind, and the frontal jacket closure was now facilitated by a zipper as well as buttons. A drawstring at the jacket’s bottom edges kept the wind out more effectively than the old knit band, all the while eliminating the snagging problem associated with knit bands, and gusseted armpit areas with eyelet vents provided greater freedom of movement and rapid drying of built-up perspiration. Produced in very small numbers and but for a brief period, this new design was quickly superceded by a second version manufactured in a light olive drab color (now commonly called khaki) of the same heavy, corded fabric. The fabric color was changed from blue to this shade of olive drab to better enable camouflaging of USN personnel both at sea and on landing operations. This newer-colored version of the winter deck jacket was available in limited numbers by the spring of 1944 and photo documentation clearly reveals some sailors, including Rear Admiral A. D. Struble onboard the command ship USS AUGUSTA, outfitted with this jacket style during the D-Day landings in Normandy, France on 6 June 1944.

The deck jacket was modified again after WWII, with the most notable difference being the change in color from light olive drab to a dark olive green.  Further modifications were made to the design before being completely phased out in the 1960s, thus making the N-1-style deck jacket the longest serving in the U. S. Navy, and possible the best remembered. The N-1-style Deck Jacket is an all-American classic that looks as great today as it did in 1944, and it functions with many different clothing applications - surely this will fast become a favorite item in your wardrobe. Scorn the cookie-cutter look of “mall” jackets and grab a piece of 20th century American history that combines style with durability and utility.

This Buzz Rickson’s USN khaki N-1-style Deck Jacket copy superbly captures all of the nuances and features found on a vintage original example from 1944. Take note of these authentic features:

• Exact copy of original USN contract label design printed on cotton fabric

• Exact duplication of the original black stencil property mark “USN” applied to left chest

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, heavy, corded-cotton outer shell to precisely match USN specs. and dyed a light shade of khaki-like Olive Drab

• Cotton-thread construction

• Custom manufacturing of the correct double-faced, grey-hued alpaca fur-and-wool lining to precisely match 1940s USN specs

• Two external slash pockets

• Vintage-style 1943 brass CONMATIC zipper

• Button-front wind flap protector located in front of zipper closure

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, two-ply, worsted-wool knit cuffs in Olive Drab, hidden up inside the sleeves to protect from wear

• Gusseted-armpit construction with eyelet vents

• Drawstring cords at jacket bottom to seal out the wind

Sizes:  XS - XXL.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

The USAAF A-3 Mechanic's Cap is one of those items of clothing from the 1940’s that is synonymous with the WWII G.I. Though designated for aircraft mechanics, the A-3 was just too comfortable, practical and sharp to not be worn by anyone in the USAAF who could obtain one. It was the perfect item of clothing that lent itself so well to personalization: caps were painted or inked with names, rank, pin-up and cartoon art, and worn at a jaunty angle or with the visor turned upwards in true 1940’s G. I. fashion.

Buzz Rickson's  resurrected this classic to their usual exacting standards: 8.5-ounce all-cotton herringbone twill in the early, light shade of olive drab, heavy stitching and reinforcing throughout, taped seams inside the crown, flexible visor, authentic label, and USAAF ink stamp on an exterior back panel.  The cap is given a subtle vintage wash by the factory so that it isn't starchy new in appearance.  A high-quality cap of true 1940’s character available again today!

Buzz Rickson's products are imported from Japan.

Sizes: 7 1/4 (Med.) & 7 1/2 (Lg).  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

The U. S. Air Force Type L-2A Light Flying Jacket replaced the highly popular Type L-2 Light Flying Jacket in 1950.  Like the L-2, the L-2A Flying Jacket was favored for it’s lightweight construction, comfortable non-bulky warmth and natural good looks. The L-2A Flying Jacket was intended for wear in climates between 42 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for spring, summer and fall. The essential difference between the L-2 Flying Jacket and L-2A was color. 

By 1950, the USAF began changing the color of most of its flying clothing from Olive Drab to Air Force Blue as part of an overall plan to forge a separate identity from the other branches of service, especially the army; however, this very attractive, distinctive blue color lasted in production but for a short while.  The realities of combat in Korea proved that a downed aviator had a far better chance of survival and evading capture wearing clothing in a color that camouflaged the wearer, thus the blue flying clothing became nothing much more than a prestige symbol used in non-combat areas by the end of the Korean War.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced this limited edition of an early, transitional L-2A Flying Jacket as produced by the original USAF contractor Superior Togs.  This L-2A reflects usage of leftover knit components in light-colored olive drab from the end of the L-2 production during that transitional time when supplies of the matching blue knit were not yet keeping pace with the then-new implementation of blue-colored flying jackets and where waiting for the blue knit to be fully available was deemed worse than making use of this non-matching knit color. Such mismatching of color has been observed on other articles of flying clothing of the same era, such as the blue B-15C and N-3A Jackets and blue A-11C Trousers; any of these garments utilizing mismatched components should be considered very rare and not reflective of the majority from the era.  Though the mismatched look is very unusual, it’s also considered quite attractive to many enthusiasts, as it does indeed create a very authentic, as-issued look that accurately reflects the essence of what these garments were intended for – function and utility above all else. 

This Buzz Rickson's L-2A Flying Jacket correctly captures all the nuances and features found on some mismatched vintage L-2As, making this product virtually indistinguishable from a vintage example of this type the USAF.  Take note of these authentic features:

• Exact copy of the original maker’s label produced on a vintage shuttle loom that includes the contractor name, Superior Togs

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight, weave and color USAF Blue nylon outer shell to precisely match 1950 USAF specs. and treated to repel water

• Custom manufacturing of the correct 65% nylon 35% wool double-faced inner lining

• Exact copy of the super-desirable, spring-loaded late 1940’s Crown zippers on sleeve pocket and jacket front, with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAF spec. leather pull tabs on zippers

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted wool-knit collar, cuffs and waist skirt in light-shade olive drab

• Heavy parachute-harness nylon in USAF Blue correctly sewn to left front chest for attaching oxygen mask retainer clip

• Snap-down pocket flaps and shoulder straps crafted to match the style found on L-2A Flying Jackets

• USAF insignia transfer on left sleeve in full color, and under maker label in lining in off-white stencil form

• Zippered pocket on left sleeve outfitted with four pen/pencil slots and two anti-puncture pencil caps made of 1945-spec. USAF brass

Sizes 34-44.  This style is light weight and fits generously; thus, a size 44 should, in most instances, comfortably fit a 46" chest measure.

Crown is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

We are very excited to offer this vintage tee-shirt graphic featuring the Bell YFM-1 Airacuda.  The Airacuda was one of the most intriguing, attractive, innovative fighter planes of the 1930's; while less than 20 were produced, it was highly trumpeted and published at the time, though graphics on tee shirts, pillow shams, and matchbooks are all but non-existant today.  Even the better vintage-aircraft aficionados will likely be stumped when you wear this tee shirt!

Buzz Rickson's tee shirts take us back to when tee shirts were not moo-moo dresses outfitted with short sleeves that flirt with our elbows; rather, these are vintage-style tee shirts of the 1930's - 1970's that are trim fitting, shorter in the body length, and with quarter-length sleeves.  

The original tee shirts were made on “body-size” looms which yield a shirt with no side seams, thus weaving a perfect tube.  To do this requires special looms that are only used by specialist manufacturers these days; subsequently, the looms are hard to source and expensive to produce garments on because you need one loom for each size you want made - but it's the proper way to make a vintage-style tee shirt, and it's the only way they were made in the 1930's - ‘70's.

The expertise for making such a garment is largely only found in one place in the world these days - Japan.  The Japanese have become renowned as world experts in vintage-style garment manufacture and home of body-size construction, being able to produce super-accurate, vintage-quality fabrics. 

These tee shirts are made of a robust cotton, heavier than typical undershirts, and the cotton is washed for a softer hand, a vintage look, and to eliminate guesswork in fit vis-a-vis shrinkage.

Available in sizes Sm - XXL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan

We are very excited to offer this vintage tee-shirt graphic featuring the Bell YFM-1 Airacuda.  The Airacuda was one of the most intriguing, attractive, innovative fighter planes of the 1930's; while less than 20 were produced, it was highly trumpeted and published at the time, though graphics on tee shirts, pillow shams, and matchbooks are all but non-existant today.  Even the better vintage-aircraft aficionados will likely be stumped when you wear this tee shirt!

Buzz Rickson's tee shirts take us back to when tee shirts were not moo-moo dresses outfitted with short sleeves that flirt with our elbows; rather, these are vintage-style tee shirts of the 1930's - 1970's that are trim fitting, shorter in the body length, and with quarter-length sleeves.  

The original tee shirts were made on “body-size” looms which yield a shirt with no side seams, thus weaving a perfect tube.  To do this requires special looms that are only used by specialist manufacturers these days; subsequently, the looms are hard to source and expensive to produce garments on because you need one loom for each size you want made - but it's the proper way to make a vintage-style tee shirt, and it's the only way they were made in the 1930's - ‘70's.

The expertise for making such a garment is largely only found in one place in the world these days - Japan.  The Japanese have become renowned as world experts in vintage-style garment manufacture and home of body-size construction, being able to produce super-accurate, vintage-quality fabrics. 

These tee shirts are made of a robust cotton, heavier than typical undershirts, and the cotton is washed for a softer hand, a vintage look, and to eliminate guesswork in fit vis-a-vis shrinkage.

Available in sizes Sm - XXL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan

The USAF L-2B Flying Jacket had a long service life and went through numerous changes to the original spec. 7448, and the spec. most associated with the Vietnam War was 7448H.  Some of the most notable features of the 7448H spec. include the orange lining, two-way zipper for reverse wearing with orange side out, USAF spec. contractor label on printed cloth and located in the left pocket, and deletion of the following:  snap-down epaulets, snap-down tab covering zipper bottom, nylon tab on chest for attaching the oxygen mask clip, and pocket flaps.  The heavier 2/2 twill and wool-and-rayon blend lining were both retained from previous spec.

The L-2B was intended for wear in climates between 42 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for spring, summer and fall.  The warmth-to-weight ratio, comfort, and overall good looks made this design extremely popular with all of those who could get their hands on one, and it was not uncommon for jackets to go "missing" and to be found on the backs of service personnel not authorized for issuance or wearing of the L-2B.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced the L-2B Flight Jacket (Spec. 7448H) in exacting detail.  Buzz Rickson’s heavy-weight nylon twill fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy flight satin used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAF flight jackets.  In fact, the only other flight jackets in the world today made from this nylon are those vintage examples of the USAF!  Please take note of these authentic features:

• Exact copy of the printed contractor label in the left pocket

• Custom manufacturing of the correct 2/2 weave and weight USAF Sage Green nylon twill outer shell to precisely match USAF specs., and treated to repel water

• Custom manufacturing of the correct 64% rayon 36% wool double-faced inner lining in high-visibility orange; jacket is reversible from sage green to orange

• Exact copy of a two-way Conmar main zipper in black-oxide finish, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric in a contrasting tan shade

• Correct USAF-spec. leather pull tabs on zippers

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted-wool knit collar, cuffs and waist skirt in the USAF Sage Green

• Zippered pocket on left sleeve outfitted with four pen/pencil slots and two anti-puncture pencil caps made of USAF-spec. brass

Sizes:  XS  – XXL.  The fit is generous.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

This style is a one-time offering this year, last produced in 2012.  This version we offer is made exclusively for the USA and Europe, having no name plate and wings on the left breast as does the production version for Japan.

Developed in the late 1930's as a summer flying jacket that could be worn on its own or in combination with a one-piece flying suit and helmet made from the same hard-wearing, corded-cotton fabric dyed in a light shade of olive drab that could span bronze, khaki-like, pea green, and gray-green shades, the 37-J-1 was widely issued to USN and USMC airmen at the time, and it could still be seen being worn into the very early days of WWII.  The popularity of the 37-J-1 among naval aviators rested with its practical, good-looking design and the hard-wearing cotton fabric that was specifically developed for flying clothing; this is the same fabric that went into mass production in WWII for use in USN foul-weather suits from which the coveted "deck jackets" became omnipresent and and highly sought after.  The 37-J-1 also featured prominently in the 1941 film "Dive Bomber", which starred Errol Flynn and Fred MacMurray.  This was filmed in Technicolor and features a bounty of rare naval aircraft, uniforms, and flying gear; this is a must-see for all fans of naval aviation in the months just prior to WWII.

Today, the 37-J-1 is very much a collector's dream, being nearly impossible to source in nice condition and commanding some serious premiums if one is even fortunate enough to have the chance to make such a purchase.  Buzz Rickson's brand is known for producing the hardwearing, corded-cotton fabric to amazing likeness in their various WWII USN "deck jackets," and now using this same fabric they have performed an absolutely superb job at recreating the 37-J-1 to clone-like standards.  Please note these authentic features found only on the vintage original 37-J1 Flying Jackets and this Buzz Rickson's masterpiece:

• Exact copy of original USN contract label design woven on vintage shuttle looms

• Exact duplication of the original property mark “USN” stenciled in black above the left pocket

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, heavy, corded-cotton outer shell to precisely match USN specs. and dyed a light shade of khaki-like Olive Drab

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, lightweight, broadcloth-cotton lining d dyed a gray-green shade of light olive drab

• Exact copy of genuine urea buttons made on vintage dyes; urea is the only button type specified at the time

• Cotton-thread construction

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, two-ply, worsted-wool knit cuffs, collar, and waistband in gray-green Olive Drab

• Lacquered-metal grommet vents located in armpits

• Two-button closure on convertible collar

• Two external pockets with central gusset, button flap, and soft-cotton lining on pocket front

• Incredibly authentic reproduction of the early Hookless zipper with all-metal base riveted at zipper bottom for extra strength at this area of great stress

• Zipper pull fob made from jacket fabric and riveted in place

Sizes:  36-44.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan