Doniger vs Spiewak A2 contract pattern questions

[Abyss]

As someone relatively new to A2s, the Doniger and Spiewak A2 contract patterns look very similar to me. Both made in goat hide, no collar stand, strong pointed collar tips, centered epaulets, inset sleaves. From the Good Wear website, the fit descriptions seem similar as well. Has anyone compared them before and help me better understand the differences in how they may fit or if there are any significant differences between them that should be pointed out?

I tried a search but didn't see anything. Apologies if I missed it. I appreciate any insights from the forum.

 

[B-Man2]

I don’t know of any previous posts comparing the Doniger and Spiewak BUT … you can read about each jacket independently. Here’s a pretty comprehensive post containing info about the Spiewak . I’ll see if I can find something on the Doniger

 

[B-Man2]

United Sheeplined, Bronco, and I. Spiewak & Sons, What do they all have in common?

If you said that they were “kissing cousins” or related by blood, you wouldn’t be wrong. For those of you who may be hearing this for the first time, all three of those manufacturers of WWII A2 jackets , and many other types of WWI and WWII military jackets as well, were started and owned by...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[Silver Surfer]

Of some interest is the fact that for the most part, original donis have survived rather well over the years as against spiewaks which have not. Most spiewaks seen today are basket cases due to dry rot. Of course, this a general observation, and I have seen a couple that were not red rotted.

 

[Abyss]

Thank you B-Man2 and Silver Surfer for the information and link!

 

[caddyd]

True enough ~ I have an original Doniger and Spiewak and both look and fit the same. They both have the shoulder seam under the epaulets and similar pointed collar. But the Doniger pockets and flaps are smaller. And as Silver Surfer noted the Spiewak is prone to dry rot. I've hard worn my Doniger for over fifty years but the Spiewak is cracking and peeling so badly it cant be worn. But Doniger had only one contract with very low numbers so harder to find.

 

[B-Man2]

True enough ~ I have an original Doniger and Spiewak and both look and fit the same. They both have the shoulder seam under the epaulets and similar pointed collar. But the Doniger pockets and flaps are smaller. And as Silver Surfer noted the Spiewak is prone to dry rot. I've hard worn my Doniger for over fifty years but the Spiewak is cracking and peeling so badly it cant be worn. But Doniger had only one contract with very low numbers so harder to find.View attachment 142035

That’s a rare find in that condition . It looks great ,

 

[Abyss]

caddyd - great looking jacket! And I appreciate your thoughts about the two contracts - just what I was hoping to learn!

 

[caddyd]

Good to here ~ But in my haste I forgot to mention the difference between the snaps. The Spiewak uses the

ring type for the pockets and collar. But Doniger uses the ball stud.

 

[Abyss]

Thanks again caddyd! Very much appreciate the photos of the 2 contracts that show the differences between the snaps.

 

[caddyd]

Right on ~ There's much to see and learn here about classic leather jackets, old and new along with many other cool outfits.