Educate me on A-2 leather finishes

[Dany McDonald]

Chrome or Veg?

 

[Nickb123]

Chrome or Veg?

Actually a great question. I want to say veg now that I think of it - but with a pigment finish - very monotone, very WWII. I’ll have to ask John. Not sure if it’s still an option. Would definitely order the exact same model and leather again !

 

[Dany McDonald]

Yes veg tanned. Nick do you know if John has ever worked with a strict Chrome/pigment combo finish, like in the 40's?

D

 

[Nickb123]

Yes veg tanned. Nick do you know if John has ever worked with a strict Chrome/pigment combo finish, like in the 40's?

D

I do not. But I’ve always wondered if it’s been possible to repurpose say an M-69 Transport Coat and make a new A-2 out of it.

It would be sacrilegious but I’ve wondered about it.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Yeah that would make a splendid goat A-2 for sure. Is there enough leather to make the sleeves in a M-69?

 

[Banzai]

Here’s a 23380 from Good Wear in that same pigment Shinki leather. VERY regretful sell.
View attachment 161377

I often see posts on here about people having sold their Goodwear. Hard for me to square in my brain: waiting a year for an expensive, made to measure near perfect repro, then selling it. Where do you even look after that?

 

[Dany McDonald]

Where do you even look after that?

I'll try a bit of an answer... the search for the perfect fit...

 

[Banzai]

I'll try a bit of an answer... the search for the perfect fit...

I guess I’m wondering, if John Chapman couldn’t fit you perfect with all your measurements, then who can?

 

[Smithy]

I do not. But I’ve always wondered if it’s been possible to repurpose say an M-69 Transport Coat and make a new A-2 out of it.

It would be sacrilegious but I’ve wondered about it.

Don't Nick. Rarer than an A-2, more collectible and they have skyrocketed in price over the last decade or so.

 

[Dany McDonald]

...the perfect fit is an illness my friend, even John Chapman doesn't have the remedy for it...

 

[B-Man2]

Sorry, what I was trying to say is to have a modern repro leather just like original leather.

Hi
Just a quick post that you might find useful .
Years ago Lost Worlds produced a chrome tanned DuBow A2. I don’t know if they still use that method of tanning today but if you can find an older Lost World A2 it might work for you . See photos of the Lost Worlds A2 at the top and an original RW 23380 below it .
Pretty damn close I’d say .

 

[B-Man2]

The Lost Worlds A2 is about 15 years old

 

[Micawber]

...the perfect fit is an illness my friend, even John Chapman doesn't have the remedy for it...

Bang on the nose Dany.

In simple terms it is reproduction WW2 flight jacket jacket OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder] pure and simple. A phenomenon particularly rife amongst those with disposable income who obsess over A-2's but in the case of Mr Lever and a few others of this Parish, sheepskin, or shearling garments. It's the quest for the reproduction jacket Holy Grail which usually only exists in the mind of the individual concerned. The disorder is further boosted to extreme heights of either self satisfaction or angst over the length of sleeve, drape, blousy-ness, shape of collar and whether the threads used in the sewing are infused with genuine 1943 oxygen after posting catwalk like fit pictures on this very forum.


Fortunate are the very few obtain their goal and then sign the pledge never to embark on another lengthy, and expensive quest again.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Thank for sharing this Burt, it's way more than what I was looking for! It is pretty close but a bit less dept in the finish, give it 50 years...

D

 

[Dany McDonald]

Bang on the nose Dany.

In simple terms it is reproduction WW2 flight jacket jacket OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder] pure and simple. A phenomenon particularly rife amongst those with disposable income who obsess over A-2's but in the case of Mr Lever and a few others of this Parish, sheepskin, or shearling garments. It's the quest for the reproduction jacket Holy Grail which usually only exists in the mind of the individual concerned. The disorder is further boosted to extreme heights of either self satisfaction or angst over the length of sleeve, drape, blousy-ness, shape of collar and whether the threads used in the sewing are infused with genuine 1943 oxygen after posting catwalk like fit pictures on this very forum.


Fortunate are the very few obtain their goal and then sign the pledge never to embark on another lengthy, and expensive quest again.

I'd even add, that nylon and cotton are not remparts where we can feel safe, warm and fulfilled... Oh my look at that new Goodwear B-15C and oh a Goodwear L-2B .... shit look at that Eastman B-10.

 

[B-Man2]

Bang on the nose Dany.

In simple terms it is reproduction WW2 flight jacket jacket OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder] pure and simple. A phenomenon particularly rife amongst those with disposable income who obsess over A-2's but in the case of Mr Lever and a few others of this Parish, sheepskin, or shearling garments. It's the quest for the reproduction jacket Holy Grail which usually only exists in the mind of the individual concerned. The disorder is further boosted to extreme heights of either self satisfaction or angst over the length of sleeve, drape, blousy-ness, shape of collar and whether the threads used in the sewing are infused with genuine 1943 oxygen after posting catwalk like fit pictures on this very forum.


Fortunate are the very few obtain their goal and then sign the pledge never to embark on another lengthy, and expensive quest again.

EXACTLY!!!

 

[Nickb123]

Don't Nick. Rarer than an A-2, more collectible and they have skyrocketed in price over the last decade or so.

Never would! Just wondering if theoretically possible. And I don’t suggest anyone try!