A Rare Pair Of First War Double-Function Flyer’s Gloves

This is a set of First War American flyer’s gloves, uniquely in the shape of regular five-fingered gloves, but also with a mitten-like cover flap for added protection for the fingers. The exterior shell, as well as the interior of the forearm portion of these gloves are constructed of thick butterscotch-coloured leather. The back side of the hand portion is constructed of the same leather, but with a softer, lighter grain leather on the palm-side. The interior of the main glove section is not otherwise lined. These gloves feature an additional mitten-like pouch on the back side, lined with soft white sheep’s fur. When not in use, the mitten-pouch can be folded over and attached to the backside of the glove, using a snap-button, marked “Made in France”. Overall, these gloves are in well used condition. The exterior leather shell is very well preserved, but with extensive wear, discoloration, and rips on the palm-side of the hand. The sheep’s fur in the mitten-like pouch is reasonably well preserved, but with scattered bald spots, and contaminated with  grain-like dirt. In as-found condition.

Footnote: The original patent for gloves featuring mitten-like pouches was introduced under patent number 4142 by British manufacturer and inventor, Henry Urwick in 1907. The patent was later sold to American industrialists, who used the patent to first produce motorcycle gloves, and later, flyer’s gloves. These particular set of gloves were owned and used by Canadian Pilot Gerald Alfred Learn, who was shot down on June 24th 1918 while engaged with three German trip planes.