This is one item we could not be more excited about bringing to our customers.  Since our first sale in 1989, multitudes of customers have, over the decades, asked where they could obtain a good copy of the iconic USAAF A-11 Navigation Watch to wear with their flying jacket purchases from us, but there were simply no really good copies of this watch that could match the pedigree of the goods we sell.  At long last, for all of those who have asked about really nice copies of the iconic A-11 Navigation Watches with mechanical movements, your deliverance has finally arrived!

The original WWII A-11 Navigation Watches were produced in hundreds of thousands during WWII and were the standard timepieces issued to pilots, bombardiers, and navigators, and the most perfect companion for a WWII-style flying jacket.  WWII A-11's were made by Bulova, Elgin, and Waltham and had 15-jewel mechanical movements, with each maker producing subtle differences between their styles in such areas as the dial, hands, case, etc. 

Buzz Rickson's, in conjunction with watch masters in Japan, have now produced the most authentic A-11 Navigation Watch available in the world today, which beautifully copies an Elgin-made example from 1941.  Almost everything had to be custom made at great expense in small quantities (this is a limited edition of only 500 pieces) to match the original Elgin watch used as the basis for this project.  

There have been a few upgrades to this A-11 copy:   increasing the jewels to 21 vs. 15 jewels of the original A-11 is an improvement that provides greater longevity and accuracy, and the use of a mineral crystal vs. the glass crystals of the original A-11 provides for greater longevity as the original glass crystals were very prone to scratches, chipping, and cracking.

This Buzz Rickson A-11 Navigation Watch will serve you as faithfully as those brave airman did the USAAF in WWII.  Please note the features that come with this A-11 Navigation Watch:

• Clone-like black watch dial with luminous numbers that matches those found on Elgin A-11's

• Clone-like luminous hands, including sweep second hand, that match those found on Elgin A-11's

• Nickel-plated watch case that matches the finish, design, and style of those found on Elgin-made watches of this contract (case diameter is 1.25") and includes the same typeface and stamping style on the back as found on Elgin A-11's of this contract

• 21-jewel mechanical automatic watch movement.  The movement will run for approximately 40 hours if wound 30 times; wearing the watch for 8 hours a day every day should preclude the need to set the time again or wind it unless you need to change the time.

• Water resistant (it's okay if the watch gets a little wet doing chores, but this is not a waterproof diving watch and is not intended for submersing in water or other liquids)

• Mineral crystal glass

• Shock resistant 

• Clone-like copy of the issue-style cotton watch strap in Olive Drab shade 3 and sewn with cotton thread and outfitted with a nickel-plated buckle 

• Vintage-style watch box with A-11 nomenclature corresponding to an Elgin-made A-11 of this contract 

• Limited edition of 500 pieces worldwide

Imported from Japan

Buzz Rickson's has brought back their William Gibson black M-65 Field Jacket after a several-year hiatus and married it with the removable liner (a first for the William Gibson Collection), making this a cold-weather combination that is hard to beat for versatility and sharp looks.

The M-65 Field Jacket packs all of the same authentic detailing, quality, and construction found in the GI-issue Buzz Rickson's M-65 Field Jackets sold on this website, but the color is, of course, black in keeping with the William Gibson Collection, and the fit has been tailored to provide a more sleek, fashionable fit through the body and sleeves.  

The Buzz Rickson's William Gibson M-65 is a smart-looking jacket that is a delight to wear, providing a superb balance of weight to warmth (functions from 65 degrees Fahrenheit – 50 degrees Fahrenheit with no layering, and the removable liner will extend use in even colder climates) that will glide on your body with no effort at all.  All of the other features of an issue M-65 Field Jacket can be found on this William Gibson masterpiece including the capacious pockets, extendable cuffs with Velcro closures, water-repellent all-cotton outer shell and hidden hood that stows easily away behind the collar in a zippered compartment.  And as with all Buzz Rickson’s creations, they are built to function and take on plenty of hard use, just like the original garments they copy and unlike most other copies on the market that are merely costumes or fashion statements with no real function or utility of endurance incorporated in the design. 

The removable liner is also 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 connected to the buttons on the inside of the M-65 Field Jacket. But this Buzz Rickson liner goes even further by having a zipper closure added, an interior pocket, and two exterior pockets; these additional features allow the liner to be worn as a jacket on its own!

Please note all of the features of this jacket and liner:

Buzz Rickson William Gibson M-65 Field Jacket

• Exact copy of the original military labels found in the lining

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave water-repellent cotton-and-nylon outer shell in black

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton lining in black

• Exact copy of the heavy-duty 1960's Crown zipper for the frontal closure with cotton pull tab and the #5 size for the hood compartment, both of which have zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• All-cotton drawstring at waist in lining and on bottom hem of jacket to seal out wind

• Bi-swing double-pleated action back for greater range of motion without binding

• Snap-closure wind flap in front of zipper to seal out wind

• Adjustable Velcro closures on throat latch and gusted, two-position, extendable sleeve cuff

• Button-down shoulder epaulets as found on genuine M-65's

• Two pleated, generously expandable chest pockets with snap-down flaps

• Two large “grenade” pockets with snap-down flaps located on hip/thigh region

• Flip-up stand collar with zippered rear compartment that houses stowaway hood with drawstring  

• Assembly using all-cotton thread and vintage sewing machines

Buzz Rickson William Gibson M-65 Removable Liner

• 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

• 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. 

• 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

Sizes XS – XL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

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

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan  

The U. S. Army’s elite paratroopers of WWII were particularly creative when it came to enhancing their appearance while wearing working or dress uniforms; anything that looked cool and made them appear more distinctive and stand out as paratroopers was their objective in altering their uniforms. Among various uniform enhancements adopted by the paratroopers was the wearing of camouflage neck scarves fabricated from damaged parachute canopies – the scarves were never an issue item of clothing. 

The paratroopers made their parachute jumps using the T-5 parachute, which featured a reserve chest pack that housed a white parachute canopy and a main back pack that typically contained a camouflaged parachute canopy.  Since the main chute was the primary chute to be deployed when performing a combat jump, logic dictated that the canopy be made of camouflaged nylon parachute fabric to better conceal the deployed parachute canopy. These camouflaged scarves were typically made rather hastily and simply cut with a knife from canopies that were no longer serviceable or found in combat areas after a drop, hence the edges were not bound or sewn and were left unfinished, unlike a proper issue scarf. 

The practice of making and wearing the camouflaged neck scarves by the paratroopers was fairly wide spread and can be seen in photos while they were wearing their combat uniforms, class B uniforms or with the coveted USAAF A-2 jackets.  Some USAAF C-47 aircrew of Troop Carrier Command responsible for delivering the paratroopers to their final destinations also wore the camouflaged scarves with their flying jackets, and immediately following the Normandy parachute drops in June 6, 1944, many non-parachute soldiers on the ground, such as U. S. Army Rangers, regular line infantrymen, artillerymen, engineers, etc.,  found ample camouflage canopies all over the countryside and adopted the wearing of scarves or camouflaged their helmets with covers fabricated from the discarded canopies.

The scarves we offer are all extremely limited offerings, being fabricated exactly as the original examples were – cut from a WWII-marked nylon camouflage parachute canopies and left with edges unfinished, just as most original scarves of this type were cut.  Our scarves are always fully GUARANTEED to be WWII vintage and made from canopies that must display WWII dates of manufacture and or "AN" stamps on each panel.  "AN" stampings reflect joint approval for Army-Navy use and it was directed that these stampings appear on every panel of a canopy produced during the WWII years. If you want to know for certain your scarf is a genuine wartime example, this may be your last your chance.  This is the perfect companion item for our any of our WWII U. S Army or AAF jackets.  You are buying a true piece of WWII history, NOT a copy - supplies are very limited, so get your scarf before they are gone forever!

GI's in Europe during WWII took to wearing camouflage scarves made from the canopies of parachutes.  American paratroopers had been wearing this type of scarf or kerchief made from their own parachute canopies prior to the D-Day invasion, where troopers simply hacked away sections of their damaged canopies and turned them into combat fashion attire.  As Normandy fighting spread, U. S. paratroopers were soon observed sporting their cool-looking camouflage scarves by a growing number of GI's and it was catching:  American soldiers of all types were taken by the fashion statement, including select USAAF aviation units.  

The Normandy battlefield was littered with parachute canopies after the D-Day drop of paratroopers and cargo, with cargo drops continuing for some time thereafter.  Additionally, the Americans found themselves fighting several German paratroop (Fallschirmjäger) units in Normandy that also had ample stocks of their own unique camouflage parachute canopies at their bases, and German units were also supplied, at times, by air-dropped cargo hanging beneath camouflage parachute canopies.      

GI's of every stripe were soon found wearing camouflage scarves.  As the fighting spread throughout France in the summer and fall of 1944, GI's had turned the wearing of camouflage scarves made from parachute canopies into a fad, most especially, German Fallschirmjäger camouflage canopies.  The fad came to the attention of American command at least by late July 1944, and it was not welcomed:  an order was issued to discontinue the practice, but as photo evidence and documents show, GI's paid this order little mind - GI's disliked chickenshit orders.  Ultimately, by the time of the occupation of Germany in 1945, Fallschirmjäger camouflage scarves were actually being fabricated for sale to GI's!

We were fortunate enough to obtain a GENUINE WWII-issue German Fallschirmjäger camouflage parachute canopy; this canopy seems to be of early manufacture, as it clearly is made from silk and not synthetic fibers.  We're selling camouflage scarves cut from this canopy in the original fashion, as illustrated in our vintage photo of U. S. 3rd Army nurses in France, which is hand cut using scissors, leaving a raw, unstitched edge exposed on all sides.  Scarves will measure approximately 48" long x 12" wide, perfect for forming a scarf or kerchief to add that extra level of battlefield chic to your wardrobe.   Our stock is available until the canopy is exhausted - this is GENUINE WWII - so get them while you can!!!

Special thanks to our good friend and researcher, Mr. Thomas H. Kelly, for finding and providing the photo of U. S. 3rd Army nurses in France cutting up a German Fallschirmjäger camouflage parachute canopy and the U. S. Army HQ order to discontinue the practice of wearing parachute canopies turned into scarves.

Those of you familiar with the Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf brands we import from Japan will understand the dedication to quality, uniqueness of design, vintage aesthetics, and the employment of vintage machinery used to create their amazing articles of clothing that have been equally captured under the brand Star of Hollywood.  

Star of Hollywood was an American brand of the 1950's that established a niche for producing some wildly unique shirt designs, with some of the more renowned featuring diamonds or tarantulas.  The same manufacturing minds that have given us Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf have resurrected Star of Hollywood on a very limited basis.  The shirt designs are original creations and not reproductions of what Star of Hollywood once produced, but the overall vibe and look is spot on with the original Star of Hollywood, making this a go-to label for those who thrive on standing out from the crowd in a retro way that's not at all dated.

This shirt is fabricated from the same pedigree of high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.”  Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.

Salient shirt details include:

• Custom manufacture of high-quality rayon acetate on vintage looms

• Discharge-printed graphics

• Vintage-style urea pearl buttons

• Single chest pocket

To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

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

Imported from Japan

Those of you familiar with the Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf brands we import from Japan will understand the dedication to quality, uniqueness of design, vintage aesthetics, and the employment of vintage machinery used to create their amazing articles of clothing that have been equally captured under the brand Star of Hollywood.  

Star of Hollywood was an American brand of the 1950's that established a niche for producing some wildly unique shirt designs, with some of the more renowned featuring diamonds or tarantulas.  The same manufacturing minds that have given us Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf have resurrected Star of Hollywood on a very limited basis.  The shirt designs are original creations and not reproductions of what Star of Hollywood once produced, but the overall vibe and look is spot on with the original Star of Hollywood, making this a go-to label for those who thrive on standing out from the crowd in a retro way that's not at all dated.

This shirt is fabricated from the same pedigree of high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.”  Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.

Salient shirt details include:

• Custom manufacture of high-quality rayon acetate on vintage looms

• Discharge-printed graphics

• Vintage-style urea pearl buttons

• Single chest pocket

To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

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

Imported from Japan

Those of you familiar with the Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf brands we import from Japan will understand the dedication to quality, uniqueness of design, vintage aesthetics, and the employment of vintage machinery used to create their amazing articles of clothing that have been equally captured under the brand Star of Hollywood.  

Star of Hollywood was an American brand of the 1950's that established a niche for producing some wildly unique shirt designs, with some of the more renowned featuring diamonds or tarantulas.  The same manufacturing minds that have given us Sugar Cane, Buzz Rickson's, and Sun Surf have resurrected Star of Hollywood on a very limited basis.  The shirt designs are original creations and not reproductions of what Star of Hollywood once produced, but the overall vibe and look is spot on with the original Star of Hollywood, making this a go-to label for those who thrive on standing out from the crowd in a retro way that's not at all dated.

This shirt is fabricated from the same pedigree of high-quality rayon acetate that perfectly duplicates the hand and weight of the long-lost rayon of the “good old days.”  Just as with the original fabric it copies, this material is extremely breathable and airy, and it takes the original screen printing inks as splendidly as did the vintage originals.

Salient shirt details include:

• Custom manufacture of high-quality, super-fine cotton on vintage looms
• Discharge-printed graphics
• Vintage-style urea pearl buttons
• Single button-closure hidden chest pocket
• Satin-lined yoke

To help preserve the color and fabric, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

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

Imported from Japan

This is a Sun Surf Special-Edition Hawaiian shirt, the design of which deftly copies an original example produced in 1950 by the Poi Pounder Tog brand.  Original examples of this shirt are about as rare as they get, and the color combination is exceptionally rare and desirable, being navy, light blue, and yellow.

Special Editions are manufactured to degrees of authenticity that soar beyond the standard editions, fabulous as the standard editions are; each Special Edition is precisely recreated to match the vintage example it copies using yarns and dyes specifically reproduced to match just this one shirt style to utmost precision, and the rayon is screen printed using a filament discharge, just as the original examples of this print once were. 

Special Editions incorporate colors and color shades not found on the standard editions, thus providing for more precise color matching to the vintage shirt being copied.  Other original features include: one deftly matched invisible pocket, genuine coconut-shell  buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that precisely copies the original label found on this shirt.  And to enhance the collectibility of this shirt, it comes in its own presentation/storage box.  Once produced, the special edition is retired from production, thus ensuring each is extremely limited in quantity made.

Sun Surf Special Editions are nearly impossible to obtain outside of Japan and we are proud beyond words to have been able to obtain a few of this shirt print that stands out as one of the most unique ever offered.  

To help preserve the fabric and colors, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

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

Imported from Japan

This is a Sun Surf Special-Edition Hawaiian shirt produced under their Duke Kahanamoku label.  The design deftly copies an original example produced in 1950 under Duke's own brand.

Special Editions are manufactured to degrees of authenticity that soar beyond the standard editions, fabulous as the standard editions are; each Special Edition is precisely recreated to match the vintage example it copies using yarns and dyes specifically reproduced to match just this one shirt style to utmost precision, and the rayon is screen printed using a filament discharge, just as the original examples of this print once were. 

Special Editions incorporate colors and color shades not found on the standard editions, thus providing for more precise color matching to the vintage shirt being copied.  Other original features include: two deftly matched invisible pockets, mother-of-pearl  buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that precisely copies the  original label found on this shirt with the legendary name of Duke Kahanamoku.  And to enhance the collectibility of this shirt, it comes in its own presentation/storage box.  Once produced, the special edition is retired from production, thus ensuring each is extremely limited in quantity made.

Sun Surf Special Editions are nearly impossible to obtain outside of Japan and we are proud beyond words to have been able to obtain a few of this shirt print that stands out as one of the most unique ever offered.  

To help preserve the fabric and colors, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

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

Imported from Japan