busdrivermike
Well-Known Member
G1 by branded as I fly low to the ground 
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What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?
- Thread starter Roughwear
- Start date
mulceber
Moderator
Thanks! It’s a size 42. It and my Dubow repro are some of the most comfortable jackets I’ve worn.
Kr1s
Active Member
dinomartino1
Well-Known Member
This is old I don't know if they still make them .
"These were, hands down, the best of the modern A-2s. But you have to get one that was actually made for the military. Orchard continued to make this jacket for the civilian market long after their military contract expired. And sadly, the civilian jackets were nowhere near the quality of their military A-2s."
"The orchard / branded A2's are hard to identify as issue or not because they kept using the exact same labels as the issued ones in later jackets.
"Branded should not be selling jackets, to the public, with NSN numbers and DLA contract numbers, these number are what identifies the item as being US property, NOT for resale (unless declared surplus by the US government]"
"Been buying and wearing current issue A-2s for a long, long time now. Many folks here wouldn't even admit that they were real A-2s. They just weren't Lost Worlds or Real McCoys or whatever. Actually, of the original re-issues, Branded Leather was clearly the best of the lot. Nice thick goat. High arm holes. Decco pocket flaps. Classic cut."
"I'm not sure if Orchard had any other than the '92 contract. If they did, I've never handled a jacket from one. But all the issued '92s I've ever seen were excellent jackets. Here's the bad news, though. Branded Leather continues to this day to put 1992 vintage spec tags in their civilian A-2s. The tags are even complete with a '92 DLA number. Sadly, their civilian jackets are nowhere as good as the old issued ones. You sorta have to know what to look for to get a real, issued Orchard A-2. Most of what's on ebay are recent repros."
How can I tell the difference between the two ?
"The leather of the originals is more seal colored and is clearly goatskin...and is typically quite grainy. I'm not sure what the civi ones are made of...it may be embossed cowhide. The linings of the originals are made of some kind of oxford cloth and are rich, brownish tan. Newer jackets have a slicker, rayon looking lining and the color is paler looking. The pocket flaps of the originals are large and nicely scallopped. The flaps on the newer jackets are VERY large and not as nicely cut.
In spite of government specs, the originals had an inside wallet pocket on the left side. Not sure if the civi jackets do or not."
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newagegeezer
Well-Known Member
chilly day after last week's Summer temperature days so an old faithful original Aero B6 (a perfect lightweight shearling for UK early Spring/ late Autumn days) is getting an outing for walk to the post box round the corner, before teh predicted rain comes on. It's in very good condition for 75+ years old, same age as me. Used to wear it a lot on my old bikes, hope to get out on one again ASAP.
Apart from this I've just been in the garden (lucky to have one in London UK) last couple of weeks so no jacket wearing
keep safe everyone
Apart from this I've just been in the garden (lucky to have one in London UK) last couple of weeks so no jacket wearing
keep safe everyone
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Kr1s
Active Member
Mine has Ideal zipper, rather rayon looking lining, inner pocket. Can't judge the leather though, if it's goat or cowhide.
Attachments
busdrivermike
Well-Known Member
I would judge yours to be their cowhide model, based on how it’s hanging
Their cowhide while thick is soft and if dropped on the floor tends to turn into
A puddle. I’ve heard they are very comfortable
here’s a couple close ups from my branded A2 including the tag, with A at the end, the liner and leather.
It also has the ideal zipper, I don’t know if mine was issued, I wondered if the reason they keep
Using the tag is because by dropping the A it’s now now longer considered a contract number ?
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Jorgeenriqueaguilera
Well-Known Member
Today some Black Jacks swag, yeehaa!
Brettafett
Well-Known Member
Bill Kelso RW23380 earlier today... Posting some more pics and comments later today...
Wholenineyards
Well-Known Member
So today was a day of inside mask-on and outside mask-off events. Every breath I took from the unobstructed atmosphere was like a vacation. Obviously a goatskin GW RW of a very early production date including a relaxed comfy fit (I feel it drapes well within historical limits) really enhances the "breathing humanoid" experience.
Wholenineyards
Well-Known Member
It is. A size 44 from an older batch from around 2007 or 2008. They come quite more fancy these days.
Wholenineyards
Well-Known Member
Greg, I always thought a snug fit would be best but now I enjoy a good relaxed drape. Yours represents a lot of WW2 fits. It does look really well.
Wholenineyards
Well-Known Member
Jorge, yet again, a swell piece of nylon. Pretty warm though for your climes, I bet. Have you also brought out an L-2B? Have I missed it? If not maybe it's time to bring one outside;-).
Wholenineyards
Well-Known Member
The L-2B! Got it! Thanks. Do you feel it is short or would you say it has a comfy length for you when moving? Markus
Jorgeenriqueaguilera
Well-Known Member
This specific L-2b is size Small so it is a bit short... I had no option, but I normally wear size Medium or Large without any problem, I’m 5’10” (1,80 mts). In my experience, the L-2B’s do have some measurement variations according to years and companies, so it’s a matter of luck sometimes achieving the right size.
I will post more L-2b’s in the next days so we can see the differences.
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B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Love the caramel knits in that !
What contract it that ?
