asiamiles
Well-Known Member
I've been wanting an AN-J-3 for some time, but the opportunity to snag one in my size at a reasonable price has never arisen...there was recently a Buzz on eBay, but frustratingly it had a small cut in the hide. Finally, towards the end of last year, I pulled the trigger on this Stevenson Overall Co. jacket on Yahoo!Auctions. I was a bit wary that it might be too snug - it was described as being 'slim fit' and the chest measurement seemed a 'juster' - but thankfully it's fine. It may help that I've lost a little weight over the last year or two, and while it's not exactly 'roomy' (I can always wear other jackets, such as my Buzz SAT civi A-2 if I want to really layer) the bi-swing back affords freedom of movement, as it's supposed to do. It's probably not what one could call a 100% accurate repro, in that it's made in Japan from very soft horsehide rather than goatskin (as I believe all the originals were...if any horsehide variants do exist they were likely expressly made for non-military wear), so I guess this qualifies as a quality civi jacket, and that's 100% okay with me...I don't particularly want people recognising I'm wearing an A-2 and thinking "Who's he think he is...Steve McQueen?!"
The chances are I'm actually going to get some wear out of this and my other jackets too, with a move back to Blighty sooner rather than later looking on the cards; I guess then I'll be able to figure out which are genuinely worth keeping with those that just sit in the closet being moved on...being in the UK I'd imagine they will be easier to sell than from here in HK.
The chances are I'm actually going to get some wear out of this and my other jackets too, with a move back to Blighty sooner rather than later looking on the cards; I guess then I'll be able to figure out which are genuinely worth keeping with those that just sit in the closet being moved on...being in the UK I'd imagine they will be easier to sell than from here in HK.
