tweedydon
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
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Both Derby tweed and Full Norfolk Jackets are becoming increasingly hard to find, and so this jacket--a full Norfolk cut from hard wearing Derby tweed--is a double rarity.
And not only is this jacket a double rarity--it's a terrific (and terrifically serious) piece of field gear. Norfolk jackets were designed in C19th England as field gear, especially for shooting; it's thus appropriate that Britain's Rifle Corps wore them as uniform in 1859 - 1960. This example has all of the features that you'd expect in a Norfolk that was designed for field use.
First, it has two deep front bellows pockets to hold field equipment; these have deep flaps to protect the contents from rain, and wide mouths to allow for ease of access. The bellows feature allows a lot more bulky items to be stored in these than regular patch pockets. It also has a, of course, a fully functional and adjustable belt to secure the waist against wind; this is held to the body by the traditional half-Norfolk straps sewn vertically on the front of the jacket. It also has a deep inverted box pleat at the back to allow for ease of movement and rapid changes in shoulder posture--crucial when shooting gamebirds, or climbing over stiles or fences. It is reinforced at the shoulders for shooting, and also in recognition that these are traditional weak points in a working jacket. It has NO cuff buttons--these are ornamental on a jacket like this, serve no real purpose, but would be inclined to snag on briars or wire. Since they're a net drawback, they're left off. It has a deep interior chest pocket, and a reinforced game pocket on the inside. It closes with four oversized front buttons, designed to be easy to use even in winter cold. It has a single vent.
This is a serious Norfolk field jacket, not a modern fashion reproduction.
The Derby tweed that it's cut from is beautiful; my pictures really don't do it justice. (More information about Derby Tweed can be found on my Facebook page WaterhollowTweed.) The base is a lovely light moss green herringbone, shot through with single vertical stripes of forest green and berry red.
It was, of course, made in the United Kingdom--and, moreover, it was made for "Lynton Crest Tailored" clothing, which specialized in country tweeds and outerwear in England. Judging by the interior label and the style of numbering on the inspection tag this dates from the mid 1960s.
It's also in absolutely excellent condition; I suspect that this was purchased in the United Kingdom on someone's vacation, brought to the USA--and then never worn.
Lynton Norfolks in more used condition than this appear occasionally on eBay and Etsy, where they command c.$200+. As such, this is a steal at just $125 > 110 > 100, or offer, boxed and shipped in the USA.
Given its heft this should be considered outerwear, rather than a sports jacket. As such, please take this into account when assessing the measurements, below, and judge them against a well-fitting Field coat, such as a Barbour.
Measurements:
Chest: 25 1/2
Sleeve: 26 (+1 1/2)
Shoulder: 21 1/2
Length: 30 1/2
And not only is this jacket a double rarity--it's a terrific (and terrifically serious) piece of field gear. Norfolk jackets were designed in C19th England as field gear, especially for shooting; it's thus appropriate that Britain's Rifle Corps wore them as uniform in 1859 - 1960. This example has all of the features that you'd expect in a Norfolk that was designed for field use.
First, it has two deep front bellows pockets to hold field equipment; these have deep flaps to protect the contents from rain, and wide mouths to allow for ease of access. The bellows feature allows a lot more bulky items to be stored in these than regular patch pockets. It also has a, of course, a fully functional and adjustable belt to secure the waist against wind; this is held to the body by the traditional half-Norfolk straps sewn vertically on the front of the jacket. It also has a deep inverted box pleat at the back to allow for ease of movement and rapid changes in shoulder posture--crucial when shooting gamebirds, or climbing over stiles or fences. It is reinforced at the shoulders for shooting, and also in recognition that these are traditional weak points in a working jacket. It has NO cuff buttons--these are ornamental on a jacket like this, serve no real purpose, but would be inclined to snag on briars or wire. Since they're a net drawback, they're left off. It has a deep interior chest pocket, and a reinforced game pocket on the inside. It closes with four oversized front buttons, designed to be easy to use even in winter cold. It has a single vent.
This is a serious Norfolk field jacket, not a modern fashion reproduction.
The Derby tweed that it's cut from is beautiful; my pictures really don't do it justice. (More information about Derby Tweed can be found on my Facebook page WaterhollowTweed.) The base is a lovely light moss green herringbone, shot through with single vertical stripes of forest green and berry red.
It was, of course, made in the United Kingdom--and, moreover, it was made for "Lynton Crest Tailored" clothing, which specialized in country tweeds and outerwear in England. Judging by the interior label and the style of numbering on the inspection tag this dates from the mid 1960s.
It's also in absolutely excellent condition; I suspect that this was purchased in the United Kingdom on someone's vacation, brought to the USA--and then never worn.
Lynton Norfolks in more used condition than this appear occasionally on eBay and Etsy, where they command c.$200+. As such, this is a steal at just $125 > 110 > 100, or offer, boxed and shipped in the USA.
Given its heft this should be considered outerwear, rather than a sports jacket. As such, please take this into account when assessing the measurements, below, and judge them against a well-fitting Field coat, such as a Barbour.
Measurements:
Chest: 25 1/2
Sleeve: 26 (+1 1/2)
Shoulder: 21 1/2
Length: 30 1/2
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