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

[mulceber]

Cable 27753 Example No. 2:

More photos…

 

[mulceber]

Star Sportswear Mfg. Co. W535-AC-28557 42-18245-P​

Contract Awarded: 18 May 1942 (EA2G plate 28)
Date of Completion: unknown
Quantity: 30,000 jackets (EA2G plate 28)
Leather type: horsehide/cowhide - the use of cow was verified by DNA test in Eastman’s A-2 guide (EA2G plate 28)
Stitch color: red
Zipper(s): Any that were current in early 1942. The following have been observed. They are listed in approximate order of the frequency with which they have been encountered:

• Talon M-41 nickel
• Talon M-42 nickel
• Talon M-39 nickel
• Crown M-42 dull
• Conmar M-40 gilt
• Talon M-42 gilt with a straight pull
• Talon M-42 nickel with a straight pull

General Comments: The Star contract is unusual, in that it had two different spec labels - one that listed the contract number, 28557, and one that listed the order number - 42-18245-P (EA2G plate 28). Chapman has noted that, in his observation, most of the jackets that have the contract number on the spec. label also have double-barrel eyelets on the collar hooks, while those jackets with the order number have brass eyelets.

Identifying/Distinguishing Details:

• The collar has a distinctive curve to it. Bill Kelso’s write-up for the contract aptly describes it as “‘crescent moon’ shaped”.
• Triangle stitching on the pocket body, although the orientation of the triangle varies.
• Sharply-scalloped pocket flaps
• Rotated inset sleeves
• Lower sleeves are rather snug
• Often dark brown knits, although the typical mid-brown seen on other A-2s is common as well.
• The leather backing reinforcement for the pocket snaps is a square shape, where most A-2 jackets are semi-circular.

Star Example No. 1:

 

[mulceber]

Star Example No. 2:

More photos…

 

[mulceber]

S. H. Knopf Mfg. Co. W535-AC-28558 42-18246-P​

Contract Awarded: 18 May 1942 (EA2G plate 29)
Date of Completion: unknown
Quantity: 10,000 jackets (EA2G plate 29)
Leather type: horsehide/cowhide
Stitch color: a lighter, almost russet brown
Zipper(s): Mostly Talon M-41 nickel, although the Conmar M-40 gilt has been attested.
General Comments:

• The manufacturer is not listed on the spec. label for this contract. This identification is confirmed by the similarities of this contract to civilian A-2 jackets manufactured by Knopf (GW). It was first identified as Knopf in Eastman’s A-2 guide (EA2G plate 29).

Identifying/Distinguishing Details:

• Nickel snaps without any sort of blackening or treatment to protect them from corrosion (Chapman). While this is not totally unique to the contract (HLB’s has similar press studs), it is both unusual and noticeable.
• The reverse of the collar snaps in the body have brown paint on them (Chapman).
• Both ends of the epaulets are folded under the seam to which they’re attached (Chapman).
• Likewise, the pocket flaps are attached by folding over both layers of leather and sewing through both of them, instead of cutting the underside panel short and only folding over the outer panel of the pocket (Chapman).

Knopf Example No. 1:

 

[mulceber]

Knopf Example No. 1 continued:

More photos…

 

[mulceber]

Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co. W535-AC-28560 42-18248P​

Contract Awarded: 18 May 1942 (EA2G plate 30)
Date of Completion: unknown
Quantity: 50,000 jackets (EA2G plate 30)
Leather type: horsehide/cowhide. Eastman identified it as cowhide based on its appearance (EA2G plate 30). Chapman disagrees and thinks it was horsehide. Eastman does state that it is extremely difficult to discern horsehide from cowhide leather, so differing opinions are not a surprise, and this is likely the best example as it is from the top two A-2 experts. Please also note that Mr Eastman had the British Leather Confederation attempt to discern horsehide from cowhide using an electron microscope and was unable to do so, so attempting to detect the difference by eye has an inherent high degree of uncertainty. Multiple owners of original Poughkeepsies have commented that the hide seems thinner than on most A-2 jackets from the time, although the specifications for all three hide types required the same thickness specification (0.035 +/- 0.010”).
Stitch color: light olive drab (Chapman)
Zipper(s): The following have been observed. They are listed in approximate order of the frequency with which they have been encountered:

• Talon M-41 gilt
• Talon M-42 nickel
• Talon M-41 nickel

General Comments:
Identifying/Distinguishing Details:
This contract can be quite difficult to identify, and Acme Depot notes that it “is fairly generic with no truly unique qualities.” (Acme Depot) Chapman, meanwhile, notes that in many respects it resembles an Aero:

• Big, angular pocket flaps with mild scalloping (Acme Depot).
• Use of mustard-colored lining (Acme Depot).

But the bottom pocket corners are rounder than is normally seen on an Aero, and the x-box stitching on the epaulets is neater. The biggest stand-out feature is the use of gold-colored Talon M-41 zippers, which are not seen on any other contract, although plenty of Poughkeepsies were made without this unique zipper.

Poughkeepsie Example No. 1:

 

[mulceber]

Poughkeepsie Example No. 2:

More photos…

 

[mulceber]

I. Spiewak & Sons Co., Inc. W535-AC-28820 42-18776P​

Contract Awarded: 18 May 1942 (EA2G plate 31)
Date of Completion: unknown
Quantity: 25,000 jackets (EA2G plate 31)
Leather type: goatskin
Stitch color: light brown
Zipper(s): Primarily Crowns, but others are possible. The following have been observed. They are listed in approximate order of the frequency with which they have been encountered:

• Crown M-42 nickel
• Crown M-41 nickel
• Talon M-43; seen on another Spiewak here, so likely not a replacement

General Comments:

• Isaac Spiewak, through his relatives, was also the owner of United Sheeplined and Bronco Mfg. Co. Bronco was run by his younger sons, Pete and Murry Spiewak, while United Sheeplined was run by his son-in-law and the son-in-law’s cousin (Chapman).
• Spiewak is the only original A-2 manufacturer that is still in business.

Identifying/Distinguishing Details:

• Collar comes to sharp points (Acme Depot).
• Shoulder seams underneath the epaulets, as opposed to behind them (Acme Depot).
• Simple, triangular pocket flaps (Acme Depot).
• Rotated inset sleeves.
• Goatskin
• All of these details are very similar to Doniger’s contract, but what distinguishes the Spiewak is the almost exclusive use of Crown zippers and the use of ring snaps.

Spiewak Example No. 1: