My last A-2 (hopefully) - Good Wear

[mulceber]

Spot on, Tim. It's much more interesting when someone like Brett or Lorenzol chimes in. They actually have some serious questions about which way to go. I get the sense that you and I already have every detail nailed down. My order ends up being pretty simple, because it boils down to "just give me the closest thing to a NOS original."

 

[Smithy]

Jan, we're becoming predicable in our advancing years!

Oh well, at least we'll save ourselves a lot of the handwringing and grief these other OCD GW queue fellows have

 

[Lorenzo_l]

It's still a close call between the Aero 16160 and the Dubow 1755 for this "OCD GW queue fellow", though I am leaning more and more towards the former because of, among other things, the classic good looks and the details that make this contract a bridge between the pre-war and wartime contracts from Aero - it still features a collar stand and a 1939 Talon zip with the square "Hershey bar"-style zipper puller, but includes new details like the collar ring snaps found only in wartime Aero contracts. JC also strongly recommended this contract. Furthermore, JC patterned his 16160 from an original loaned to him by our very own Vic, if memory serves.

 

[Brettafett]

My all time favourite A-2 is Jimmy Stewarts RW1401. I have tried so many repros, but just never 'nailed' it. Probably the closest i came ws my GW, but unfortunately the sleeves came in a touch short and I wasn't a fan of the 'reddy' hue and the more golden brown knit John used at the time.
Things change and part of me is hoping this may be an opportunity for John and i to get this right, this time round... He has recently acquired another original 1401 and this is going to form the pattern of his 1401s going forward.

So, RW1401 is my top choice at the mo - depending on hide and knit parts, followed by a Monarch... I have owned one of Johns as you all know and it was a size too large. So again, I recon I can nail the fit down with this contract also.

As for seal, well that Horween seal looks incredible and truth be told, I'm a seal guy first and foremost.
So, for a seal jacket, its between a Dubow (I know this pattern and my sizing, so should be able to nail this...) and the Bronco. Just a classic WW2 profile.

Of course we are a ways away and things could change. I still find myself looking at the Knopf, Spiewak, Werber and the 16160...

I recon for me, a lot is going to depend on the samples in my hand once I have them. Only worth seeing these close to the time, with materials that will be available for my jacket.
So, if the russet HH available is too 'red' or 'orange', then no russet, will go seal. But again, depends...

 

[mulceber]

So, by present estimates we're looking at a Monarch, a RW 27752, an Aero 16160 and a RW 1401-P. Can't say I'm displeased we're all getting different contracts. When it's all said and done, we'll be posting 4 really distinctive jacket.

 

[Smithy]

So, by present estimates we're looking at a Monarch, a RW 27752, an Aero 16160 and a RW 1401-P. Can't say I'm displeased we're all getting different contracts. When it's all said and done, we'll be posting 4 really distinctive jacket.

That's exactly what I was thinking Jan. Should make for some interesting review reading around these parts in a year or two's time!

I know it's yonks off but I don't think I've ever been as excited about a jacket before as I am now about the GW.

Now I just have to decide what seal leather for the 27752. Actually guys pile in - what seal option from John do you reckon I go for?

 

[London Cabbie]

Great to hear all your excitement and turn of choice (and the reasons). I feel left out here, haha maybe in the future..

 

[Smithy]

Great to hear all your excitement and turn of choice (and the reasons). I feel left out here, haha maybe in the future..

Come on mate, just drop the deposit and you're in the queue. It's nothing, only 200 bucks and you've got months and months to save up for it. You know you want to, where's the harm in it...

 

[mulceber]

Actually guys pile in - what seal option from John do you reckon I go for?

Everything I've seen of John's Horween offerings has looked stunning. @Nickb123 and @saucerfiend each got A-2s in Horween seal and my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw them. That would be my vote.

Come on mate, just drop the deposit and you're in the queue. It's nothing, only 200 bucks and you've got months and months to save up for it. You know you want to, where's the harm in it...

Demons on the shoulder aside, Tim's right. Best part is, you don't need to know what contract, or even what type of jacket you're ordering right now. Just put the $200 down, and you can decide later.

 

[Nickb123]

Yeah the Horween was light! But in the best of ways. Maybe 2oz, 2.5 at most. I’d see if John has that.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Jan and Nick!

 

[Lorenzo_l]

I do not know anything about Horween. The GW jackets that I have seen that made my jaw drop are usually made of Shinki, but I have never had one in my hands, so my impression is based only on what I have seen in photographs and thus highly subjective. Nick recomended Shinki. But others have said very good things about GW's Italian hh as well. Nick's steerhide RW is a thing of beauty too.
So, for the uneducated here, what is the difference between GW's Shinki, Horween and Italian horsehides?

 

[blackrat2]

Italian seems a tad lighter and more pebbly and Horween is full of character and with an almost wax/oil sort of feel to it

 

[Brettafett]

Yup, Im oogling the Horween myself. Of course you must compare with the Italian Seal, but my moneys on the Horween.

I get a feeling the Italian may be very similar to Platon's Italian HH. If so, its going to be a tough call.

There was a lighter seal Horween 'test' jacket on Johns page a while back, looked great... Not sure if its still there.
Edit... here

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale Good Wear 1938 Acme A-2 Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

And this looks exciting...

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale Acme 21996 Type A-2 Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

 

[Smithy]

Yeah, the more I've been looking over the last day or two, the more I'm thinking the Horween too.

Damn, so one less think to think about, so that means more thumb twiddling ;-)

 

[mulceber]

A Rough Wear 27752 in Horween seal would look stunning.

Hey, hey, hey, you still have to consider your options for thread and knit colors!

 

[Nickb123]

Yeah, a 27752 is fail-proof! I’ll try to upload some photos comparing some different GW jackets I have.

 

[Smithy]

A Rough Wear 27752 in Horween seal would look stunning.

Hey, hey, hey, you still have to consider your options for thread and knit colors!

If I do go for the 27752 then it has to be OD thread Jan.

Knits? Most probably mid-brown.

And I agree a 27752 in the Horween seal would be pretty sharp!

Yeah, a 27752 is fail-proof! I’ll try to upload some photos comparing some different GW jackets I have.

Please do Nick, I think they'll be really useful not just for me but a lot of other guys in the GW queue.

 

[Brettafett]

I think thats the best and only call for a 27752 Tim.

However, to throw proverbial branches at your bicycle wheel... If you're keen on a 27752, why not be different and try a 16191 or the rare as elves, 1671

Rough Wear 42-1671-P has been found!

Mr Eastman found the paperwork for a Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract number W535ac-21035, order number 42-1671-P, and estimated the production to be around three hundred jackets based upon the contract value (page 209 of his excellent book). With incredible luck and a great eye, someone has...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

Still seal... Still a Roughwear, Im sure they will all fit pretty similar.

 

[Brettafett]

In fact, Ive given myself another contender for the seal group.