The Mighty A-2: A Guide to the Army Air Forces’ Leather Flying Jacket

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Rough Wear 23380 Example No. 2 continued:

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Cable Raincoat Co. W535-AC-23382​

Contract Awarded: 29 December 1941 (EA2G plate 20) or January 1942 (WSC 558)
Date of Completion: April 1942 (WSC 558)
Quantity: 10,000 jackets (EA2G plate 20)
Leather type: horsehide/cowhide
Stitch color: medium brown
Zipper(s): We have only seen the Kwik M-40 nickel on this contract.
General Comments:
Identifying/Distinguishing Details:

• Cable contract features:
  • Large collar with softly rounded-off points (Acme Depot).
  • Simple, angular pocket flaps without scalloping (Acme Depot)
  • Big x-box stitching, which takes up around ⅔ of each epaulet. The lines of the X, however, do not cross the innermost of the twin stitch lines (Acme Depot).
  • Ring snaps on all contracts.
  • No collar stand on any of their contracts.
  • Mustard-colored lining (GW).
• Kwik M-40 nickel

Cable 23382 Example No. 1:

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Perry Sportswear Inc. W535-AC-23377​

Contract Awarded: 31 December 1941 (EA2G plate 21) or January 1942 (WSC 2434)
Date of Completion: May 1942 (WSC 2434)
Quantity: 20,000 jackets (EA2G plate 21)
Leather type: primarily goatskin, also horsehide/cowhide (EA2G plate 21)
Stitch color: yellowish olive drab; medium brown
Zipper(s): The following have been observed, although others cannot be ruled out. They are listed in approximate order of the frequency with which they have been encountered:

• Crown M-41 nickel
• Conmar M-40 gilt
• Conmar M-40 nickel
• Crown M-42 nickel (may be a replacement slider for what was a Crown M-41)

General Comments:
Identifying/Distinguishing Details:

• Perry Contract Features:
  • Small collar with rounded points
  • Collar stand used on all contracts.
  • The underside of the storm flap on many Perry jackets is made up of three panels (Acme Depot).
  • “Soft and shallow curves to pocket flaps, with stitch lines which are spaced farther than typical from the edge of the flap.” (Acme Depot)
  • Rectangular reinforcement stitching on the pockets (Acme Depot)
  • No Perry has been found with a pocket tag (GW)
• Most often seen in a dark russet or very light seal
• Primarily goatskin - as far as we have seen, this is the only Perry contract to be made in goatskin

Perry 23377 Example No. 1:

 

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Perry 23377 Example No. 2:

 

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Perry 23377 Example No. 2 continued:

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