GW 27752

[blackrat2]

I recently got a peach of a Perry from JC in his hand coloured seal brown....sadly this jacket was a shade short in length for me and as has been documented here sold on to Dr H.
Fortunately John came up trumps with a seal brown RW 27752 contract.
The jacket is tagged a 46...the Perry was a 44.
I have had a couple of size 46 jackets from John but for some reason...possibly the maker it was a replica of the jackets would balloon around my waist.
This jacket however is the softest leather I have gotten from John and as a result the jacket sits flat on my body and I am so pleased with "The Look" when worn.
The colour is gorgeous, being to my mind a true light brown with no hint of red hue.
There was some grain in the leather on arrival but not as much as I am used to...however after being caught out in a real heavy shower,the jacket grain etc etc has really come out.
Opinions differ on RW collars and for the first time I have sculpted a collar on a jacket,I am happy with how it looks.
The green stitching looks great and really sets the jacket off. John kindly installed a nos Talon puller.
I am really happy with how this jacket worked out for me...having had to let my Perry go...but in truth I think I have a better fitting jacket for me,this being a loose cut.
I have taken some quick pictures that Roughwear will hopefully put up later...I will get some of it being worn when I can get out and have someone to take pics.
Andrew thanks for your help.
As has been said great craftsmanship from John,I can't recommend this contract enough...along with the Perry of course.
Colour of this seal is great.

 

[Roughwear]

Great RW John. I post some pics of you wearing it to show the fit you describe.

 

[Cobblers161]

Looks real nice, I'd like to see it in a couple of years time I bet it'll be a stunner.

Good catch!

 

[stevetfire]

Hi John ..wow it looks absolutley gorgeous you must be chuft ...well done

 

[saunders]

There was some grain in the leather on arrival but not as much as I am used to...however after being caught out in a real heavy shower,the jacket grain etc etc has really come out.

The level of grain present looks great to me, and the leather on this A-2 is positively the best part of the jacket - simply beautiful. There seems to be an obsession with grain among many members here, the reason for which I'm still trying to figure out. I've seen a fair number of vintage A-2s over the years and not everyone was produced from hides abounding in grain from every pore; in fact, I'd say most just had a very moderate amount of grain or, God forbid , were relatively smooth vs. dripping with hypertrophic gobs of grain.

John kindly installed a nos Talon puller.

He KINDLY installed a NOS puller??? Am I missing something? According to the GW web site, there seems some cloudy contradiction:

I thought a NOS slider is standard w/ a repro Talon zip for this model; the photo page for this model states that this is what is illustrated. Does the NOS slider not come w/ a NOS puller as standard? Then there's the ordering section of the web site, which just states that a reproduction zipper comes standard. A "reproduction zipper" - that's extremely nebulous and could mean you get just about ANYTHING as standard. Someone please clarify. Thanks.

The only bad thing I see based solely on the pics Andrew posted would be the cuff knit, or what I can see of the cuff knit. This looks very fuzzy and puffy, with too-thick ribbing in the shot where some of the cuff is visible. Do you have other pics of the cuff knit? How many times (approximately) did you wear this A-2 before the cuffs turned to fuzzy hair balls? I've not seen so much fuzz on an A-2 cuff from even the cheapest-of-the-cheap makers, and I'd be beyond livid if I paid over a grand for an A-2 outfitted with Angora cuffs.

Saunders

 

[Marv]

Looks fantastic, I can only hope mine will look something like that when it arrives in many months time......did John use his standard seal brown horsehide (LHJ103) for your RW as this is the hide I have requested for my RW, if so it looks really great.

Some pics of you wearing would be brilliant, look forward to seeing them.

 

[stevetfire]

Angora cuffs :| ......more than happy with all my GWcuffs........cuff comparison time ! :shock:

 

[blackrat2]

Stupid phone...this is the third time at trying to reply
Thanks for the comments guys
Marv this is the seal brown of the number you quoted...it is a gorgeous colour although I guess the tones from jacket to jacket will vary
Saunders...I stand to be corrected by anyone here or indeed John but I think the choices are repro talon..nos talon or as the jacket wasn't made for me i asked if John had a Nos puller he could put on...I am assuming the slider is a repro
The cuffs aren't as described although I see from one of the pics that something foreign to the jacket is on the waist band
I simply prefer leather with wrinkles,grain,scars etc etc..I except that there are huge variants in finish for originals..but I like the jacket to look like it was made in a time of need,where the maker used whatever leather they were supplied..it is personal choice and as I am blowing over a grand on a jacket I guess I can ask if John can find leather that's suits my taste..
As it is there is a good amount of character in his leather but if you compare the finish to the Perry that Dr H has then you will see what I was supplied when that jacket was made for me

 

[blackrat2]

Saunders...apologies I don't know your first name,I can't see on the GW site wear it says the jacket comes with a Nos Talon...I think the 27752 header implied the contract was originally fitted with a Talon not that it comes with one
There is a page offering different nos zips and prices...as I have said I asked John for a Nos puller and unless he cares to advise if he did a full zipper replacement I can only assume he got hold of a puller for me
Hope that makes sense and anyone feel free to interject if I am wrong

 

[saunders]

Saunders...apologies I don't know your first name,I can't see on the GW site wear it says the jacket comes with a Nos Talon...I think the 27752 header implied the contract was originally fitted with a Talon not that it comes with one
There is a page offering different nos zips and prices...as I have said I asked John for a Nos puller and unless he cares to advise if he did a full zipper replacement I can only assume he got hold of a puller for me
Hope that makes sense and anyone feel free to interject if I am wrong

Thanks for your tenacity in fighting with your phone phone to make the replies here. And you can just call me by my surname; mother didn't give me a first name.

I get what you're saying, though it's still confusing to me how GW doesn't actually show the customer what they will get, describes what the vintage A-2s were produced with and the GW model jacket as depicted, but only refers to the standard zippers as "reproductions" and displays no images of these zippers. That would be as vague as describing the hides as "reproduction" or "reproduction leather." I find this potentially misleading, and very poor in communicating information when asking customers to spend huge amounts of money. Even U. S. Authentic shows the zipper you actually will get in your jacket. The GW practice is unacceptable and dubious to me, and I can't imagine anyone accepting this from any other maker, especially ELC, given the rancorous exchanges I've read on this forum.

Saunders

 

[Roughwear]

If the information about zips is such a cause for concern perhaps Saunders should contact John Chapman directly.

Having dealt with John for several years I have always found him an absolute pleasure to deal with. One of the advantages of buying from him is that he will work with each customer so provided the given measurements are correct you get exactly what you ordered. You can specify the leather and of course zips as well. Sadly such a flexible approach is not a feature of all high end makers these days.

 

[Roughwear]

Saunders...apologies I don't know your first name,I can't see on the GW site wear it says the jacket comes with a Nos Talon...I think the 27752 header implied the contract was originally fitted with a Talon not that it comes with one
There is a page offering different nos zips and prices...as I have said I asked John for a Nos puller and unless he cares to advise if he did a full zipper replacement I can only assume he got hold of a puller for me
Hope that makes sense and anyone feel free to interject if I am wrong

It is always helpful when members post their first name on the forum. Thanks John for taking pictures of your new jacket.

Saunders, please post pictures of you original and repro jacket jackets on the forum.

 

[blackrat2]

Again my phone is playing up
I does state on the GW site that jackets come with a repro unless you choose otherwise
I would suggest contacting GW through his site,I am sure Vickie will assist you..alternatively if you feel his company is dubious,buy from another maker...Simples

 

[Dr H]

Saunders

I echo Andrew's comments regarding the zips and dealings with John - I've yet to deal with a more accommodating jacket maker.

My previous GW Perry 23377 was originally produced with a repro Talon (shown here http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/gw ... ages5.html). There are plenty of images of the repro Talon that he offers on the site, which looks (from the images) to be a perfectly acceptable example and I have handled/used other examples of John's repro Talons. However, I have a particular liking for the Conmar on the Perry and I requested a change to an NOS Conmar, which John was happy to accommodate.

So, his standard double-marked, bell Talon is good for most contracts (unless one is being particularly picky about double or triple marked pullers) and comes with the jacket. If you want to specify an NOS zip, you pay a little extra: Conmar > Talon.

I don't recognise the description as dubious... If you're in the process of ordering a jacket (or even contemplating one) John and Vickie are very happy to send images of what the customer might expect...

 

[watchmanjimg]

Looking through some of Saunders' recent posts he appears to enjoy finding fault with GW jackets while not really offering anything constructive to our discussions. This goes to my complaint regarding the general tone around here lately. It seems like some prefer controversy to camaraderie . . .

 

[Roughwear]

Excellent reply Ian.

 

[blackrat2]

I agree...from what was said in one thread, Saunders thanked John for taking time out from making beautiful jackets...by the time it gets to my RW...well it would appear I have blown my money on a "Pants" jacket...
For me personally I am happy with my jacket and that of all the others I have had through John...once again the images of my jacket were done with an I phone in poor light and cannot do the jacket justice.
Most images on this site...even with a good camera,don't do the end product justice in my opinion..that includes any repro or original.
Ians former goat Perry looks so much better in the flesh and I am sure that is the case for many of the other jackets pictured within the site

 

[saunders]

If the information about zips is such a cause for concern perhaps Saunders should contact John Chapman directly.

The issue isn't about what the retailer will explain or describe when asked; rather, it's about published disclosure to the consumer. The absence of disclosure can lead to abuse, which is why the Federal Trade Commission, in addition to state and county consumer agencies, regulate such things. Generally, I'm against too much regulation in life via government, but it can also have a time and place. GW should be disclosing this info. as should every other retailer, and they do, generally. I find it very, very bizarre that you or anyone could be making an argument that in any way would be against full disclosure or is neutral to the subject. Why??? Why not show us the zippers that are offered when other features that seem less significant are show in great detail??? Why give GW a free pass???

Having dealt with John for several years I have always found him an absolute pleasure to deal with. One of the advantages of buying from him is that he will work with each customer so provided the given measurements are correct you get exactly what you ordered. You can specify the leather and of course zips as well. Sadly such a flexible approach is not a feature of all high end makers these days.

I've found everyone selling this sort of product to be quite a pleasure and very helpful when I've contacted them for information (no, I never contacted Stu from LW), so I'd be surprised if any experience I may have with JC would be anything less. And I agree that it would be swell if all high-end makers were as flexible as you say GW is, but that's a policy or business choice each is free to make regarding production, whereas my point and questions are directed at an issue that goes well beyond such individual choices.

Saunders

 

[Dr H]

"The issue isn't about what the retailer will explain or describe when asked; rather, it's about published disclosure to the consumer. The absence of disclosure can lead to abuse, which is why the Federal Trade Commission, in addition to state and county consumer agencies, regulate such things. Generally, I'm against too much regulation in life via government, but it can also have a time and place. GW should be disclosing this info. as should every other retailer, and they do, generally. I find it very, very bizarre that you or anyone could be making an argument that in any way would be against full disclosure or is neutral to the subject. Why??? Why not show us the zippers that are offered when other features that seem less significant are show in great detail??? Why give GW a free pass???"

Last word from me on the matter...life is too short.

I don't see how an item (repro Talon) that is described in the blurb accompanying each jacket and depicted in multiple photos on the GW site and fully described as such can be (mis)construed as absence of disclosure, but there you go...perhaps I'm getting suckered into a false argument again... :roll:

Come back Jeff all is (should be) forgiven...

Senecko anyone...?

 

[Vcruiser]

..sounds like another reincarnation of JacketHead/DudleyDoRight to me.