Goldsmith A-2 Reproduction - Headwind Mfg Co

[Skyhawk]

Burt, thanks for posting the pics. Looks good! It fits you a lot like 'Ol Hap. That's cool!

That hide changes a lot in different light. You will notice it appears as more of a Med to dark Russet when you are in sunlight. Darker indoors. It's a pretty deep color that displays a lot different hues depending on the light.

Cool hide, I like it!

Same jacket outside in the shade:

A close up of the grain:

Regards,
Jay

 

[B-Man2]

Jay is spot on. The indoor photos are dark because of crappy light. Outdoor photos the jacket color is superb.

 

[ausreenactor]

They are knocked together well Jay..

 

[Skyhawk]

Happy New Year everyone! We got an update.
The next and hopefully final test jacket is due out of production on Monday. We were very close on the last one so this one should be it. When it is approved by me, we will be go for full speed ahead on the Pre-ordered jackets. Thanks to all that have been hanging in there with us. We are almost there!

Our production has been a bit bogged down with the Goldsmith revisions and the holidays, but we have been getting some back logged orders out as well. I just shipped 3 Moto jackets out yesterday. We are working on some USN jackets and A-1's as well at the moment. Some of you will be getting your jackets very soon!

Best Regards,
Jay

 

[B-Man2]

Happy New Year everyone! We got an update.
The next and hopefully final test jacket is due out of production on Monday. We were very close on the last one so this one should be it. When it is approved by me, we will be go for full speed ahead on the Pre-ordered jackets. Thanks to all that have been hanging in there with us. We are almost there!

Our production has been a bit bogged down with the Goldsmith revisions and the holidays, but we have been getting some back logged orders out as well. I just shipped 3 Moto jackets out yesterday. We are working on some USN jackets and A-1's as well at the moment. Some of you will be getting your jackets very soon!

Best Regards,
Jay

Happy New Year to you as well Jay.
Any updates on the “ USN Hat Jackets”
Waiting patiently

 

[Skyhawk]

Here we are! We are close to perfect on this jacket and now I can finally release it into production. The test phase is over and the price will go up to the retail price today at some point, when the edits are made on the site.
Retail Price: $725

I will honor any pre-orders that go through today before the updates. That is a savings of $200.


Here are a few snap shots of the jacket. More to come...

Regards,
Jay

 

[billwong]

Its a fantastic looking jacket.

Took a bit to get use to the look of the collar. Requires a different/flat flared out position on the shoulder. Very different from the typical A2.

 

[Skyhawk]

Its a fantastic looking jacket.

Took a bit to get use to the look of the collar. Requires a different/flat flared out position on the shoulder. Very different from the typical A2.

The extra height on the collar stand helps with that, but still you can see this tendency on the originals as well. Looks to have been a candidate for a change to the pattern, as the later A-2 jackets do not have this feature. I believe this had to do with the collar folding up to a turtle neck and buttoning across, like an A-1.

 

[B-Man2]

I’ve been wearing mine as much as possible and I really like the fit and the hide . We talk about the drape of the jacket and this one drapes nicely. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the tanning process used, as the hide is very supple and flexible. If Jay uses the same hide on his new sat it will be a winner for sure. The only question I have ( Jay if you’re reading this ) is most of the black and white photos look like the hide was a true Russett color much the same as an ELC Werber or Silver surfers (Switlik) A2 jacket. Wouldn’t it be more historically correct to go with that color hide rather than the dark russet / light seal color being used now?

 

[Skyhawk]

Thanks Burt. I do have a lighter Russet Horse but it is thicker than spec. at about 1.4 -1.5mm. It is very soft though so it is a great hide, just thicker than advertised. This test Goldsmith is in that hide:

The hide you have is a Dark Russet, not a Seal shade. I think it is a great match for the SAT shown on the forum and is well within the possible shades for the goldsmith, having also been Russet and only a year earlier.

SAT:

We have the two choices for now, but I will be looking into some more options for the future as well.

Regards,
Jay

 

[billwong]

I find both the steerhide in my A2 racer and the HH in the Goldsmith to be soft and drape very well. Only gripe with Headwind is the small forearm holes. Or the chopped spinach I been adding to my cooking is working.

For people ordering the Goldsmith. Be aware of the shoulder measurement. It's narrow.

 

[B-Man2]

I wear 19.5 to 20 inch shoulders and my Goldsmith fits perfectly, I don’t find them narrow at all. If you give your measurements to Jay, I’m sure he can work with them when he makes you a jacket .

 

[ausreenactor]

Here we are! We are close to perfect on this jacket and now I can finally release it into production. The test phase is over and the price will go up to the retail price today at some point, when the edits are made on the site.
Retail Price: $725

I will honor any pre-orders that go through today before the updates. That is a savings of $200.


Here are a few snap shots of the jacket. More to come...
View attachment 30186

View attachment 30185

View attachment 30187

View attachment 30188

View attachment 30184

Regards,
Jay

Phwoar.. tempting..

 

[billwong]

I was referring to the pattern/cut of the Goldsmith vs other A2 patterns. If you have have wide shoulders pay attention to the measurement of that when ordering by chest size/jacket size. Otherwise you may find restrictions on arm movement when your chest size is comfortable.

With Headwind. Numbers are not set in stone.

 

[Pilot]

Hi Jay,
fantastic jacket, congrats.
Please kindly keep us posted, if thats fine with you, from how many VLJ’s members you finally received an order, based on your special offer...would be interesting.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

Cracking jacket, Jay! The version made with the light russet hide looks fantastic. Well done for bringing the Goldsmith project to fruition.

 

[ShanghaiJack]

Stunning Jay...!!!

 

[2BM2K]

Hi Jay
I think I wrote before, maybe in this thread, that Hookless didn't make a separable zip.
Well I was wrong.

This past week I found this blog which has a NOS Hookless zip;

1930 - The Separable Zipper

Schott NYC claims to have been the first company to put a zipper on a jacket in 1925. The pictures used to illustrate this claim generally...

vintageleatherjackets.blogspot.com

They must have been rare.

Geoff

 

[Skyhawk]

Hi Jay
I think I wrote before, maybe in this thread, that Hookless didn't make a separable zip.
Well I was wrong.

This past week I found this blog which has a NOS Hookless zip;

1930 - The Separable Zipper

Schott NYC claims to have been the first company to put a zipper on a jacket in 1925. The pictures used to illustrate this claim generally...

vintageleatherjackets.blogspot.com

They must have been rare.

Geoff

Yes there were Separable zippers by Hookless before the 1930's for sure. I have seen some dated earlier as well. I have seen zip sliders dated pre 1920. It was still new tech though,even in the 1930's.

 

[Skyhawk]

The Day Has Arrived!!
The Goldsmith A-2 is live on the site:


P. Goldsmith & Sons A-2 Jacket