The TYPE 37J1B REAL McCOY MFG. CO. is made from a cotton cord cloth with a soft cotton broadcloth lining for comfort. It features wool ribbing at the neck, cuffs, and hem, and a 1940s-style bell-shaped nickel front zipper with cotton tape. It is sewn entirely with cotton thread.

First issued by the U.S. Navy in 1936, this flight jacket represented a significant progression in military outerwear design at the time. Made from durable cotton cord cloth, it offered excellent wind resistance and featured a front slide zipper, which was a relatively modern detail in the 1930s. The twin front pockets included center-inverted pleats, a complex construction detail that reflects the careful workmanship behind the design. Even today, it holds its own when compared to flight jackets that came decades later.

This model came after two earlier versions: the 37J1, which was made from leather and had a completely different design, and the 37J1A, which closely resembled this version. The exact differences between the 37J1A and 37J1B remain unclear. At the time, regulations stated that all variants could simply be labeled as “37J1,” and most surviving examples follow that rule.

A notable detail that helps differentiate versions is found at the collar. Some have a buttonhole sewn into the ribbing, while others feature a small loop attached to it. This reproduction is based on the loop-style version, believed to be a later production, which is why it is identified here as the 37J1B.

100% Cotton Cord Cloth

100% Cotton Broadcloth Lining

Wool Ribbing

40s Bell-Shaped Front Zipper, Nickel, Cotton Tape

Cotton Sewing Thread Construction