RAF Inner Silk Flying Gloves

Another pair of RAF Inner silk flying gloves that we are listing today. These were designed to be worn under 1933 pattern gauntlets but were often worn alone, particularly by fighter pilots. Early production used silk, while later these would have been made from synthetic silk or rayon.

This pair are in issued condition, with general soiling, commensurate with service use, as well as a small hole to the tip of the right glove index and middle finger and the same on the left, as well as wear to the thumb, indicating these were probably used without the 1933 pattern leather gloves as intended. These could be tidied up and washed but in general we prefer to leave kit in 'as issued' condition which reflects their history and use. Many gloves of this pattern we see offered for sale are actually post-war issue but this pair is 100% wartime specification with nice clear stores issue marks in both indicating 22C/260 thus confirming a matched pair of size 8 1/2. They are also broad arrow property marked and carry inspectors stamps. These stamps are often washed out but still nice and clear here, which is a real bonus. It is often hard to decide if these gloves are silk or later issue rayon but am pretty certain these are the earlier silk specification. This pattern tends not to be dated, as here, and can now make around £125 for a mint unissued set. These however are keenly priced to reflect their current condition, but with the added bonus they have definitely seen allied wartime service.