Lost Worlds B-2

[John Lever]

I have owned B2's by all the companies that make them including more than one variant from the same manufacturer. The way the collar fastens is the issue with most of them. The leather loop and tiny snap are both useless. Buzz Rickson made a house version ten years or more ago based on a Switlik jacket that had two straps with buckles. The leather was quite thick horsehide, as thick as the LW version but not quite as stiff.
The way the leather drapes and folds on jackets in period photos suggests it wasn't very thick or heavy. A couple of members here who have handled originals have said they weren't super heavy duty.

This is a short jacket so may not be suitable for riding as it will give little protection to the lower back

 

[John Lever]

I forgot to mention that all makers have got the pocket design wrong. Originals had gusseted pockets not simple patch pockets.

 

[Miles]

I have owned B2's by all the companies that make them including more than one variant from the same manufacturer. The way the collar fastens is the issue with most of them. The leather loop and tiny snap are both useless. Buzz Rickson made a house version ten years or more ago based on a Switlik jacket that's had two straps with buckles. The leather was quite thick horsehide, as thick as the LW version but not quite as stiff.
The way the leather drapes and folds on jackets in period photos suggests it wasn't very thick or heavy. A couple of members here who have handled originals have said they weren't super heavy duty.

This is a short jacket so may not be suitable for riding as it will give little protection to the lower back View attachment 3740 View attachment 3741

THANK YOU MR.LEVER! Finally! Someone with something productive to say about functionality! It’s been like pulling teeth in here till you showed up. It’s possible that the leather disintegration over time made the jackets your friend handled lighter. I know this was the first real jacket for open cockpit pilots aside from a full leather suit. The chances of the leather being heavy from LW is a definite and I don’t consider that a bad thing as I have demonstrated above with the break in of his heaviest jacket looking pretty darn good for goat.


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[Miles]

I forgot to mention that all makers have got the pocket design wrong. Originals had gusseted pockets not simple patch pockets.

Gusseted from the edge? So it protruded? Can you get me an image perhaps?


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[John Lever]

A couple of period photos on one of them the pocket design can be seen.

 

[John Lever]

Of course any serious repro must have an early type Hookless zip.

 

[Miles]

Of course any serious repro must have an early type Hookless zip.

Affirmative! Thank you for that!


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[Miles]

Affirmative! Thank you for that!


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I’m not really wanting a perfect reproduction. I looking for a perfect recreation! I don’t think there’s a level of understanding when it comes to vintage forward. So far just the fact I wanted a black one as I already knew wasn’t standard, seems to be catching a lot of flack.


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[Miles]

A couple of period photos on one of them the pocket design can be seen.View attachment 3742 View attachment 3743

It’s possible they weren’t gusseted pockets and Just that those pilots often used those pockets for maps.


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[John Lever]

Look at the first photo,definitely not just a flat panel.

 

[Miles]

Look at the first photo,definitely not just a flat panel.

Definitely not but could be stretched


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[Miles]

Look at the first photo,definitely not just a flat panel.

It actually looks like he’s packing a gun in that pocket. The image I showed is flat and so are a couple of the guys in the line up image you showed.


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[Silver Surfer]

"they do break in if your'e man enough", hahahahaha. obvioulsy you have taken stus silly bugger crap to heart. miles, my man, please accept that there are some guys here that have been around the block....more then once. some of the guys around here make the items you-we speak of. and, some of the guys around here have handled dozens and dozens, of originals.....and repros. calm down a little, and, read and learn. ya never know, some of the accumulated knowledge on this forum may rub off on ya. ya like stus stuff? cool,, enjoy the jackets and wear them in the best of health.

 

[Miles]

"they do break in if your'e man enough", hahahahaha. obvioulsy you have taken stus silly bugger crap to heart. miles, my man, please accept that there are some guys here that have been around the block....more then once. some of the guys around here make the items you-we speak of. and, some of the guys around here have handled dozens and dozens, of originals.....and repros. calm down a little, and, read and learn. ya never know, some of the accumulated knowledge on this forum may rub off on ya. ya like stus stuff? cool,, enjoy the jackets and wear them in the best of health.

Solid advice, thank you Silversurfer. I’m aware of who is here and respectfully given two punches after being painfully put through some dubious claims about a solid brand that everyone loves to hate. The worst part of it is even after presenting my points, they are scornfully ignored with cognitive dissonance. One thing I can’t stand is a liar, especially one that lies to themselves. I also feel like I’ve been thrown around a bit for wanting a black jacket, which is not only no fun but it’s a lil racist! Jk on that last part. And the ‘man enough’ thing was supposed to get a chuckle too.

In all honesty we are all after the perfect jacket and if a reproduction does something to make something better, then good for them! People get overly hung up on accurate reproductions and it gets pretty darn elitist. I’m all in now with keeping things vintage but at a certain point the line has to be drawn. Stu is great at finding that line. After all this, now I’m looking at Tea Core Mccoys Sport jackets because I just give up.


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[Silver Surfer]

while looking at rmj jackets, have a look see at the frewheelers line. super detailed, beautiful and way expensive, and way hard to get hold of unless ya deal directly with a japanese co.

 

[Miles]

while looking at rmj jackets, have a look see at the frewheelers line. super detailed, beautiful and way expensive, and way hard to get hold of unless ya deal directly with a japanese co.

Thanks, I’m familiar with FW though. Trust me I’m active as heck on the leather scene. I’ve looked through Tenjin and a dozen others in japan.

 

[Silver Surfer]

way to go,, daddyo

 

[Miles]

way to go,, daddyo

I love the freewheelers mulholland!


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[2BM2K]

Here is a photo showing the pocket. With a bulge in the pocket it looks, to me, to be flat sewn.

 

[Miles]

Here is a photo showing the pocket. With a bulge in the pocket it looks, to me, to be flat sewn.

View attachment 3748

I agree , nice find


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