Iron Heart - IHM-35-KHA - Whipcord N1 Deck Jacket in Khaki

IHM-35-KHA (FW25)

The N1

So, it was back to the drawing board, and by late 1943 a new deck jacket was being issued to American naval personnel — the N1. Sailors were expected to serve all over the world, so the N1 was originally introduced as part of the U.S. Navy’s three-part “N” system. This trifecta of outerwear consisted of the cold-weather N1, the rain-ready N2, and the lightweight N3 for tropical climates.Of the three, it was the N1 that cemented its place in history — and with good reason. Gone were the cotton twill construction and simple wool lining of the earlier Tanker-inspired models, replaced with a tougher Bedford cloth and a thick Alpaca wool lining for superior insulation.

The N1 design itself was cut longer for better coverage, with a host of practical refinements to address the shortcomings of its predecessor.The knitted cuffs were recessed and hidden beneath the sleeves to shield them from spray and prevent snagging, while a drawstring hem ensured a tight seal. A buttoned placket protected the zipper and blocked wind, insulated slash pockets replaced simple patch pockets for more effective hand warming, and a two-way collar with a throat latch created a neck warmer when temperatures plummeted. All in all, the N1 was not only as warm and windproof as the trusty melton wool peacoat, but tougher — and purpose-built for naval life.In testament to its innovative design, while there were a few slight variations over the years, the N1 remained virtually unchanged from the end of WW2 and through the 1950s Korean War, until it was officially superseded by the A2 deck jacket in the early 1960s.