incredible WILLIS AND GEIGER OLD A2 JACKET

[bauville]

My name is Arnaud.
I collect 30's and 40's Us original jackets since more than 20 years.
I've just bought a strange A2 jacket from willis and Geiger wich look particulary original from any points…
After any researchs, specialists said that willis and Geiger didn't sign any contract with army during WWII and other said that this jacket could be manufactured during this period.
I count on you everybody to give me any opinions and informations after having a look to this pix.
Very surprising …isn't

 

[zoomer]

Hi Arnaud,

W & G didn't make jackets for the Army - only the Navy.
They did make a reproduction A-2 in the 1980s and 90s, some of them more faithfully done repros than others.

Let me try to fix your link to the pics. Standard HTML doesn't work on the bulletin board.

Yours looks like one of the more faithful repros. It has the lining inside the collar stand (band) and the wide flat strip for hanging (instead of a loop). Color and grain are also very handsome. I'm guessing it is goat from the graining.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice repro had not seen one done to Mil Spec.

 

[bauville]

thanks a lot for your answer.
The person who sold me this jacket bought it in a military stock, in used but incredible condition, in 1975.
He did not know if it was original and I do not know too…
All the elements wich composed this jacket look original… its incredible !!!!!

 

[zoomer]

It isn't a copy of any actual AAF contract jacket, of course, and so it cannot be actual WW2 vintage. But it is a very good looking A-2 all around.

W & G later made jackets which weren't nearly so well done - poly satin liner, acrylic finish, modern type zippers, etc.

 

[bauville]

so
this jacket is always a mystery…
thanks a lot

 

[Vcruiser]

It is a nice jacket though. I've never seen a W/G like it.
Crown zip no less.
Interesting....
Van

 

[zoomer]

It is a nice jacket though. I've never seen a W/G like it.

They sure don't turn up on eBay. Maybe they're that rare...???
When did W&G get into the repro game anyway? I thought around 1980...

 

[Vcruiser]

It is a nice jacket though. I've never seen a W/G like it.

They sure don't turn up on eBay. Maybe they're that rare...???
When did W&G get into the repro game anyway? I thought around 1980...

That's what I was thinking...'80s
However..this one looks like a dif animal to me.
Van

 

[bauville]

I use to collect 70 and 60 years old jackets and this one really, really, really, looks authentic.Those details level appears with repro 10 or 20 years ago with all the english and japanese brand that we all know. But this model discover in US stock in the 70's…its a very strange thing.
and if even one brand wanted to make a WWII copy at this period, with all the original details from old stocks, it didn't copy a A2 from Willis and Geiger model…wich seems to never exist before … I' really don't know…really…My refelction is more and more oriented that this jacket is a non issued model from the war period made by W&G or a sample that army refused… but Its a supposition
Hope you understand, my english is not very rich
best regards
Arnaud

 

[hacker]

I use to collect 70 and 60 years old jackets and this one really, really, really, looks authentic.Those details level appears with repro 10 or 20 years ago with all the english and japanese brand that we all know. But this model discover in US stock in the 70's…its a very strange thing.
and if even one brand wanted to make a WWII copy at this period, with all the original details from old stocks, it didn't copy a A2 from Willis and Geiger model…wich seems to never exist before … I' really don't know…really…My refelction is more and more oriented that this jacket is a non issued model from the war period made by W&G or a sample that army refused… but Its a supposition
Hope you understand, my english is not very rich
best regards
Arnaud

That's a fine looking jacket!........The Willis&Geiger label in that jacket is the from the later company. They went under "Willis and Geiger" in the 40's......notice the difference in how the word "and" in the name changed........Also the Crown zip is a nice touch but from the stitching closeup pic appears to have been switched out at some point.


Hacker

 

[bauville]

Hi Hacker…
i've verified and the zipper is originaly sewn on this jacket. No new or replaced zip.
I also found WWII Willis & Geiger tag from flying suit overall with willis "&" Geiger and not "and"
Thanks a lot for your point a view

best regard

 

[hacker]

This recently sold jacket on eBay will show you what an original Willis and Geiger tag would look like.......note the spelling.

http://cgi.ebay.com/WW2-WWII-M422a-Goat ... 0232180582





Hacker

 

[deeb7]

On another thread, I posted the usual copied list of original order numbers, because this one had the dates.

And noticed the addition near the bottom .....

42-21539-P David D. Doniger & Co.1942

W33-038ac1761 Bronco 1944

W33-038ac1755(11631) Dubow 1944

W35-098ac755(1631) Wills & Geiger 1944

1756 unknown 1944

V505 Made in Australia 1943

 

[T-Bolt]

David,

Where did you otain that list of manufacturers that you include in your post? I noticed that Acme Depot does not list the Willis and Geiger contract. I did not realize that there were new contracts released in 1944.

If this information is correct regarding the W&G contract shown in the list.......then this jacket mentioned by bauville may prove "interesting".


Ted

 

[Roughwear]

Two points here David. 1. where did you get the W&G contract info from? 2. I notice the lack of three digits on the spec label compared with your contract no.

As far as this jacket is concerned the goat looks identical to original RWs and Donigers. It is certainly an excellent copy (if indeed that it what it is) but when was it made? John Chapman test jacket!!! :lol:

 

[hacker]

It was common to abbreviate New York (the city) as NYC in military apparel made in the 1940's. I don't recall seeing New York, NY used, and have never seen true vintage W&G clothing using the symbol & in place of the word "and" in the tag.



Hacker

 

[Roughwear]

Just a thought. could this be a wartime goat A2 which has been re-lined, re-jerseyed and with a Crown zip added?The hanger looks rather faded, yet the lining looks pristine. Perhaps W&G did the work and added their label. I am sure i am wrong. The spec label just does not seem correct to me.

 

[deeb7]

David,

Where did you otain that list of manufacturers that you include in your post? I noticed that Acme Depot does not list the Willis and Geiger contract. I did not realize that there were new contracts released in 1944.

If this information is correct regarding the W&G contract shown in the list.......then this jacket mentioned by bauville may prove "interesting".


Ted

Ted, I posted it on the old site (with a disclaimer), and Andrew copied it over to here ....

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=174

My source was this Hong Kong forum, with the help of Google translate ...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=W3 ... gle+Search

It also appears on one, or two, other versions, but the list gets copied, tinkered with, and passed around, so there's no way to verify any additions.

 

[hacker]

The "Made in USA" tag was never used till recent times!....


Hacker