Anything and Everything A-1

[asiamiles]

So how do you like it, Miles?

If I'd had that colour .... I wouldn't have been selling it to buy the seal.

I prefer it to the seal as well - I'm surprised he decided to make the switch, though perhaps he already had a number of russet jackets? - though I'd rather have an olive drab one! So far I've only slipped it on to check the basic fit...a little trim around the shoulders but maybe not too tight. Due to the heat, I'm currently wearing shorts so I need to try it later with jeans/trousers to see how the length (which was my prime concern) is. Like for most first-time capesters more familar with vintage and repro horsehide jackets and the like, the weight and feel of the leather probably initially needs a little getting used to...makes a nice change though.

It came with a spare label (different to the one sewn into the liner which bears Eastman's name...I confess, labels are a non-issue with me) and a spare set of backing buttons which are much nicer than the transparent ones currently on the jacket.

 

[asiamiles]

Been looking through the thread looking to the answer but I can't find it, so apologies if it's already been said before, but just what is the blue/green/grey-ish jacket pictured here?

 

[deeb7]

I prefer it to the seal as well - I'm surprised he decided to make the switch, though perhaps he already had a number of russet jackets? - though I'd rather have an olive drab one!

Well I hope it works out after all the effort. It should be fine in length, no one else seems to have had a problem.

If I've been paying attention, the jacket pictured above is olive goatskin, and it's an US Authentic custom.

 

[Doug C]

Bseal will probably chime in soon, but I think that leather color was called "sage green" and sourced from Gibson & Barnes - or do I have that mixed up with the knits? :?

Now, what's this about a seal A-1? Who's selling it.. eastman? Besides their russet capeskin?

Doug C

 

[bseal]

Dead on, Doug C. Knits were from MASH btw. Hope you are well and things have improved for you. ELC offered the seal capeskin version on their reissue page a couple of weeks back. There was even a thread dedicated to it. This "one-off" jacket is real nice.

 

[asiamiles]

Dead on, Doug C. Knits were from MASH btw

So how did manage to arrange and co-ordinate the manufacture of this jacket? Did that leather sample just happen to be around at the time?

 

[bseal]

Gibson & Barnes sells sage goatskin.
MASH sells olive drab knits.
US Authentic offers custom services.

Procure the items and send the manufacturer your wish list.

N.B.: Goodwear Leather has a lightweight olive drab cowhide.

 

[asiamiles]

N.B.: Goodwear Leather has a lightweight olive drab cowhide.

Interesting!

Thanks for the info. Approx how much did the customs A-1 end up costing?

 

[bseal]

I've misplaced the invoices. Follow up with the previously listed manufacturers for current information.

 

[asiamiles]

I've misplaced the invoices. Follow up with the previously listed manufacturers for current information.

Just looked at G&B/Flightsuits website...couldn't see any mention of their selling leather.

 

[bseal]

Did you pay your phone bill this month?

 

[Doug C]

Asiamiles, their website is horendous and never up to date.. you get better info from calling them.

Olive Capeskin : Hey, I know it would be an expensive exercise but I've had really good success spraying a dark brown finish over a russet color leather jacket before. I used Meltonian Nu-life color spray made for leather..it's great because I was able to control the thickness of the layer and so I was sure to give only a thorough light coat of dark. This allowed the surface to wear away somewhat easily, revealing the undercoat at wear points. It's cheap and you can always redo it as needed if you wanted. There's no reason this couldn't be done to get a OD capeskin jacket.. I doubt much more was done to the originals anyway, although it was done pre-production. You'd have to make sure the knits were protected and remove all the buttons - man, I know I could do this, if only I had the moola or that Willis and Geiger back . Here's a pic of the one I did -




Doug C

 

[asiamiles]

Cloth A-1 by Full Count, Japan.

 

[John Lever]

Does any one have the problem of collar knits being saggy or crumpled ?
I now store my jackets buttoned up to try to reduce the problem.

 

[deeb7]

It's fine on The Few A-1, John.

Even if I wear it folded down, it still sits back up when on the hanger.

 

[John Lever]

It's fine on The Few A-1, John.

Even if I wear it folded down, it still sits back up when on the hanger.

It's the creasing at the front near the loops that's the problem.
Any thoughts as to horsehide vs. Capeskin ?
I still love my BR Bronco HH but the leather is so thick compared to my GW and ELC.

 

[Jake431]

Cloth A-1 by Full Count, Japan.

Love it. Costs a small fortune I am guessing?

-Jake

 

[deeb7]

Any thoughts as to horsehide vs. Capeskin ?
I still love my BR Bronco HH but the leather is so thick compared to my GW and ELC.

I just wanted the horsehide ... 'right, or wrong', as we used to say. I am sure that it's incorrect, doesn't drape as well ... blah - blah - blah.

But it's what I wanted. It's heavy, gnarly, and grainy, and out on the street with a pair of boots, it feels bullet proof.

And now that I have it, I'd like an Eastman, because they're two quite different things. I briefly had a civilian A-1 style in cape, un-lined, and it felt like wearing just a shirt.

 

[asiamiles]

Cloth A-1 by Full Count, Japan.

Love it. Costs a small fortune I am guessing?

This was a used one I saw on Yahoo.jp auctions. I forget the price - it may have been sold by now - but don't think it was too outrageous; I can try and check if you want. Last year I bought a used red tanker (with green knits) by Full Count for less than $100 from a Yahoo seller, around 1/3rd of the new price.

 

[John Lever]

Miles, do they have a web site ?