My last A-2 (hopefully) - Good Wear

[mulceber]

Which pic do you think represents the colour best.

Good question! I'd say this one, taken in slightly overcast weather, best represents the color of the jacket:

 

[MaydayWei]

Got Natalie to photograph me while we were out late this afternoon. Excuse the expression on my face. The sun had just come out and was in my eyes.
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Forget the jacket, just look at that smile!!

 

[Mr. Mike]

Well, after a year of waiting (and one or two other jackets along the way ), on Wednesday John told me he'd finished the Monarch and was shipping it out. I expected I might have it by early next week, but yesterday I got the notification that the package had been delivered. It was Natalie’s lunch break and she very kindly stopped home and put it inside the door — I’m not normally worried about mail thieves, but I make exceptions for 4-figure packages that I waited over a year for. Here it is in good sunlight.
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And I love it! I had initially planned on Italian Horsehide, but at John’s suggestion I went for Horween, as he said he thinks it’s more accurate to vintage horsehide. I don’t regret the decision — I don’t know if John chose a particularly thin batch of Horween, but the leather on this jacket is thinner and suppler than other repros I’ve owned, very much like the original Monarch I have. Speaking of which, since, I’m in the unusual (but far from unique) position of having both a repro and an original of the same contract, I thought I’d do some head-to-head comparison shots:
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The repro is certainly a redder russet than the original, but it’s comparable to this jacket from John’s CD:

In ordinary lighting it appears as an ordinary dark russet, but it really comes alive in direct sunlight. The finish is a glossy one, but John told me it would become more dull as I wear it.
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The pocket flaps are a bit different, but I’ve looked at a lot of originals and Monarch pocket flaps are all over the place - pretty much the only common denominator is “big pocket flaps with gentle scalloping.” The pocket flaps on my original are cool, but John’s actually look more typical of the Monarch contract. They're particularly close to Chuck's Monarch, in the bottom left of the next picture, imo.
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Original blackened Talon M-39 zipper. This one isn’t a repro, or even New Old Stock — it was recycled from original WW2 gear (Navy flying trousers, I believe) that had given up the ghost. The blackened Talon M-39 is a detail only Good Wear gets right.
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Congrats Jan! That is another 100%er made for you. Thanks for sharing the detailed review in comparison with your original - it underpins again the perfection with which JC works out these treasures.

 

[Nickb123]

+1.

 

[ausreenactor]

And of course, gotta have the fit pics! Here’s a mirror shot I took yesterday:
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And here’s a selfie out and about this morning that really captures the color:
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Very impressive!

 

[entertainment]

I have posted some fit pics of my 2021 Monarch in another thread, but they never really showed the grain of the Victoria horsehide.

 

[Nickb123]

Bot do I miss my GW Monarch. Had probably the best build for my frame (or looked the coolest).

Great pics gents!

 

[2BM2K]

There are a couple of jackets on the Goodwear sales page;

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale Rough Wear 27752 Combat Clone A-2 Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale Good Wear Type A-1 Flight Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

 

[Nickb123]

I was lucky enough to grab one from this recent sale batch - a 27752 in light combat clone in Horween horse. I love the 22752 I acquired from Burt, so I’m thrilled.

 

[Brettafett]

Well, Im now onto the Knopf 18246 and Doniger.
I think the choice will ultimately depend on the leather samples....

 

[B-Man2]

Well, Im now onto the Knopf 18246 and Doniger.
I think the choice will ultimately depend on the leather samples....

Brett
I don’t know if this one would work for you but the price is certainly right.

Good Wear Leather Co. A-2 Flight Jacket David D. Doniger & Co. Size 42 Russet | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Good Wear Leather Co. A-2 Flight Jacket David D. Doniger & Co. Size 42 Russet at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Brettafett]

Thanks Burt, I saw that and have taken notes.
Those measurements are a bit 'strange'... 16.5 shoulders? Even if he's a bit out, thats narrow. Its also a touch short.
Edit: No offence intended if seller is on the forum.

I recon, if this is my last top-end A-2 (famous last words), Im going to give John the perfect measurements.

 

[B-Man2]

Yeah I saw those measurements … I figured they had to be a typo error.

 

[blackrat2]

That RW is nice, original Talon slider and stopper and in a 46, will hopefully tick someone’s box

 

[Chandler]

I recon, if this is my last top-end A-2 (famous last words), Im going to give John the perfect measurements.

I have early plans in this direction too, but I also need to find someone looking for a "used" GW in order to finance my "white whale."

I'm close to putting my early GW on the block, but I want to get a couple fit pics to show the true size.

I know I've been hinting at this one for a while, but stay tuned folks, too much else cropping up in real life issues these days.

 

[mulceber]

I have early plans in this direction too, but I also need to find someone looking for a "used" GW in order to finance my "white whale."

I'm close to putting my early GW on the block, but I want to get a couple fit pics to show the true size.

I know I've been hinting at this one for a while, but stay tuned folks, too much else cropping up in real life issues these days.

Out of curiosity, what contract is it?

 

[Chandler]

Out of curiosity, what contract is it?

It doesn't have a directly labeled contract, but it's a copy of a Cable 27753. One of JC's first stabs at an A-2. A true "vintage" GW.

Although, it's labeled a 46 and probably fits between a 44 and 46 -- with long arms, so probably out of your preferred size.

 

[Pa12]

I’m 5 months into my Platon order now. Emailed them every month. I’ve never received a reply from them and my 6 month PayPal deadline is coming up. Thinking about canceling it.

 

[leper-colony]

I’m 5 months into my Platon order now. Emailed them every month. I’ve never received a reply from them and my 6 month PayPal deadline is coming up. Thinking about canceling it.

Platon will make it and ship.

 

[Brettafett]

Be patient, Platon's Dubow is fantastic! And unbeatable value...