M422 best manufacturer

[Smithy]

but privately are quick to contact your customers behind your back and speak negatively about you.

This is probably one of the worst things I've heard. To privately contact your competitor's customers to slag off their work is the lowest of the low. Anybody who does that would have to be a first grade arse-wipe, actually far worse. I almost can't believe that, and don't really want to believe that that sort of crap happens. If that goes on that really is disgusting and shocking to hear.

 

[STEVE S.]

Thanks for all the “welcome backs” guys! Having been a member here since waaayyy back in the dial up Yahoo! days it’s always good to see familiar names still hanging out here.

 

[Smithy]

Steve, I'll completely understand if you don't want to, but I think you should seriously consider naming which maker(s) are contacting competitor's customers to bad mouth their opposition's work. This is some of the most underhand behaviour I've heard of and any maker involved in such methods should be named (with evidence of course) because there will be a hell of a lot of guys who wouldn't want to support any business which skulks about following such despicable practices. There's no way I'd want my money going to such businesses.

 

[Brettafett]

Steve, regs your collection... what would you say is your favourite jacket? Post a pic if possible...

 

[Ole]

The member comes from Greece, not Denmark, so this should give you a clue to his true ID!

Not so fast my friend. I use VPN and am behind more proxy servers than the shoes in your wife's closet. You will see me coming from anywhere but Denmark.

And if you don't quit spying on me I will report you to [email protected], to Deluxe Hosting and to the European Commission Data Protection Officer for violation of the EU GDPR.

 

[Persimmon]

Not so fast my friend. I use VPN and am behind more proxy servers than the shoes in your wife's closet. You will see me coming from anywhere but Denmark.

And if you don't quit spying on me I will report you to [email protected], to Deluxe Hosting and to the European Commission Data Protection Officer for violation of the EU GDPR.

Platon.
You”re alive.
Thank goodness

 

[Ole]

wtf is platon?
Your new way to insult me?
Mice didn't work?

 

[STEVE S.]

Steve, I'll completely understand if you don't want to, but I think you should seriously consider naming which maker(s) are contacting competitor's customers to bad mouth their opposition's work. This is some of the most underhand behaviour I've heard of and any maker involved in such methods should be named (with evidence of course) because there will be a hell of a lot of guys who wouldn't want to support any business which skulks about following such despicable practices. There's no way I'd want my money going to such businesses.

I’m not going to call anyone out for now. I know how information travels fast & if the situation rectifies itself, it will be forgotten. I am all about second chances & you never know what kind of pressure some are under or what kind of things are going on in an individuals life. None of us are perfect & we all make mistakes ( just ask my Mrs., she will tell you I have gotten snippy with her & not even realize it when there’s a lot going on). Thing is, if everyone worked together, shared tips & info, everyone’s product would improve. Everybody knows something, but nobody knows everything..

 

[STEVE S.]

Steve, regs your collection... what would you say is your favourite jacket? Post a pic if possible...

Honestly, with my background & major part of my collection being Navy jackets, my biggest prize is an original Aero A2! I hit the trifecta on this one as 1) it’s named with full history, 2) it fits me as it’s a size 44 & 3) I only gave $250 for it!

 

[Smithy]

Well said Steve and I completely understand where you're coming from.

If you find out down the track that the individual involved is still doing it though then I'd spill the beans!

 

[B-Man2]

That’s a fine looking Aero. Looks to be in great condition knits and all.
Can’t believe you got it for that price!
Very nice and a nice fit as well.

 

[Brettafett]

Just shows, its possible to land something special for far less than one would expect. Looks great Steve.
Have to say again... Nahua's W&G M422a looks amazing... well done. Do you have any M422 pattern? (i.e. pre M422a)?
I assume, at least for the W&G, minimal differences.

 

[Silver Surfer]

oooooh, datsa nice boss, and wearable too. only $250 for it? ya mean, like in 1975? hahahahahaha im afraind that the days of cheap , inexpensive, affordable, etc a-2s have come and gone. nowadays, for $250 ya get to smell one, or maybe touch it. same as.......

 

[STEVE S.]

Just shows, its possible to land something special for far less than one would expect. Looks great Steve.
Have to say again... Nahua's W&G M422a looks amazing... well done. Do you have any M422 pattern? (i.e. pre M422a)?
I assume, at least for the W&G, minimal differences.

No, have never even seen one in person. Guess that speaks to how few are floating around out there. Considering how long I have done repair/restoration work I have been fortunate enough to handle many great jackets, but never had one of those.. looks like the biggest noticeable differences are the inside pocket, zipper boxes & windflap being a totally separate piece inserted during assembly.

 

[Cocker]

Steve, just out of curiosity, will you also do a 55J14?

 

[B-Man2]

I posted this as recently as about a week ago.
Here’s my W&G 422a if you’d like to see a few photos of it let me know.

 

[Teddy]

EDIT: I think I posted on the wrong section. But here's a recommendation for @Thomas Koehle on Steve Sellers' M422a jacket then

While fit pictures are still far away, here are some more photos of the jacket. Notice that the buttons on the collar are smaller than those on the front pockets.

NOS Talon zipper, the jacket from a lower angle, with focus on the beautiful pockets.

The only leather jacket I can use to compare with my W&G M422a with is my AVI G1. Notice the difference in leather. AVI's goatskin is tough and thick yet very soft and pliable, with a chocolate tan (cannot be seen in the lighting below). Meanwhile, my W&G M422a's goatskin from Steve has roughly equal thickness but is stiff and will take time to break in. The tan on the leather is shiny and beautiful, which can be seen from the contrast between the two jackets.

Finally, some more photos of the gorgeous NOS golden fur collar, the unique shine on the leather, and the beautifully made bi-wing design. Hope you guys enjoy these pictures! I absolutely love this jacket!

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Wow that`s a complicated to read thread - actually I lost overview whether we still discuss who is "the best ..." or is it only about kick one anothers arse as a compensation for some bad mood caused by the fact the coffee machine didn`t work in the morning

I think I have an idea about "series production" in "normal times" and I can imagine how "series production" under such high demands like a Worldwar with the technical opportunities 70 years back have been.

If you ever worked with humans under mass-production circumstances you will learn that - even in modern times - outcome of their work ain`t 100% the same each and every day. Bad mood coz of an argument with the wife? Maybe you forget one seam ... / not enough money to pay the rent? Maybe wanna pick a sparepart out of the wrong cradle ... / being in a hurry coz you wanna gone "clubbing" with your coworkers after the nightshift? wrong cut / wrong leather / sloppy seams / wrong thread / ...

What`s about the sub-suppliers? Different shades in the liner-fabric ... / buttons too small / too big / ...

70 years back per my understanding there where always deviations and not all 100% of the jackets produced and issued during wartime have been identically the same. And no matter which original-jacket was taken as sample for measurement resp. "reverse engineering" for copying even there no one can guarantee for 100% that`s the specimen which comes the nearest to the original specification.

If I see Nahuas new jacket and would have it in my hands I would not care whether such a nice jacket is 110% made according to the spec. would would also be satisfied with a 95% hit just because the jacket looks cool, materials and details are outstanding and yep maybe hit the original - more then 70 years old spec by 97%.

Just my 2 cents ...

And Nahua - already mentioned it in another thread - the AVI absolutely ain`t no match for such a cool one you got handmade especially for you.

Saludos!

Thomas

 

[STEVE S.]

Wow that`s a complicated to read thread - actually I lost overview whether we still discuss who is "the best ..." or is it only about kick one anothers arse as a compensation for some bad mood caused by the fact the coffee machine didn`t work in the morning

I think I have an idea about "series production" in "normal times" and I can imagine how "series production" under such high demands like a Worldwar with the technical opportunities 70 years back have been.

If you ever worked with humans under mass-production circumstances you will learn that - even in modern times - outcome of their work ain`t 100% the same each and every day. Bad mood coz of an argument with the wife? Maybe you forget one seam ... / not enough money to pay the rent? Maybe wanna pick a sparepart out of the wrong cradle ... / being in a hurry coz you wanna gone "clubbing" with your coworkers after the nightshift? wrong cut / wrong leather / sloppy seams / wrong thread / ...

What`s about the sub-suppliers? Different shades in the liner-fabric ... / buttons too small / too big / ...

70 years back per my understanding there where always deviations and not all 100% of the jackets produced and issued during wartime have been identically the same. And no matter which original-jacket was taken as sample for measurement resp. "reverse engineering" for copying even there no one can guarantee for 100% that`s the specimen which comes the nearest to the original specification.

If I see Nahuas new jacket and would have it in my hands I would not care whether such a nice jacket is 110% made according to the spec. would would also be satisfied with a 95% hit just because the jacket looks cool, materials and details are outstanding and yep maybe hit the original - more then 70 years old spec by 97%.

Just my 2 cents ...

And Nahua - already mentioned it in another thread - the AVI absolutely ain`t no match for such a cool one you got handmade especially for you.

Saludos!

Thomas

I have actually done repair/ restoration work for about 20 yrs & have seen some crazy things on originals over the years. Have to remember, at the time they were made, they were simply utilitarian pieces of equipment to do a job. I have seen original A-2’s with one front panel a size bigger than the other. saw another A2 where something must have been found wrong with the zipper after the zip/liner had been put together so the one side of the zip had been cut flush with the seam & another sewn in over the liner with the outer top stitch. Quotas had to be met, deadlines etc.

 

[STEVE S.]

View attachment 6467 View attachment 6466 I posted this as recently as about a week ago.
Here’s my W&G 422a if you’d like to see a few photos of it let me know.

Nice one in a big size too. I have one from that contract in a size 44 that has the most beautiful hide finish of any of my original M-422a’s. It’s also the lightest colored hide too. It has aged beautifully.