Avirex A-2 horsehide 90’s

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

Hi everyone,

this will be my very first post and I’ve recently purchased an Avirex A-2 horsehide jacket that the prior owner claims he purchased in 1993 from Avirex HQ in Manhattan. I’m not familiar with horsehide nor specifically Avirex horsehide jackets of that generation, the jacket is fairly light and not sure how the horse hide shoukd feel, it does feel more sturdy but still very soft doesn’t have too much wear on it besides the arms and some edges of the leather seams. Just making sure jacket is legit, it’s far lighter than my cockpit USA jacket which is actually lambskin.

I’m new to this jacket collecting and curious, it is the real deal or not?? Also….paid $150 for this vintage jacket.

B-Man2 · Feb 26, 2024

If you can post a few photos of the jacket and also the labels . Avirex jackets made of horsehide were usually labeled as such.

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

B-Man2 said:
If you can post a few photos of the jacket and also the labels . Avirex jackets made of horsehide were usually labeled as such.

I’ll post some pics in just a few minutes

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

Hope these pictures help, main thing I noticed is how light the jacket feels, not very heavy at all, put it in my arms on scale and added about 3.5 lbs to myself

Chandler · Feb 26, 2024

I have an Avirex HH from this same era (1990 or so) and it has identical tags.

The difference between yours and mine is that my hide is lighter in color and far more grainy.

And FWIW, mine weighs about the same as an ELC horsehide jacket I own.

I'll post some images when I get the time.

BTW -- I don't hold the opinion that a 1993 jacket is truly "vintage," since most of the jackets we discuss around here are from the '30s thru the '50s.

B-Man2 · Feb 26, 2024

The jacket is the “real deal” I also have one with the same tags . It’s horsehide.

ButteMT61 · Feb 26, 2024

I've had two Avirex of that era - one for me and one for my son. The hide was way different - like a less finished horsehide and was really really nice. I got them both for less than $100.
I assumed they were 70's vintage due to the tag, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And @Chandler - to youngin's, this IS vintage

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

Chandler said:
I have an Avirex HH from this same era (1990 or so) and it has identical tags.

The difference between yours and mine is that my hide is lighter in color and far more grainy.

And FWIW, mine weighs about the same as an ELC horsehide jacket I own.

I'll post some images when I get the time.

BTW -- I don't hold the opinion that a 1993 jacket is truly "vintage," since most of the jackets we discuss around here are from the '30s thru the '50s.

Yea I guess 90’s isn’t exactly vintage in this case….and you mention ELC jacket? I’d that Eastman? And you would says it’s heavy, mid, light? Thank you for schoolin me and the helpful info too

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

ButteMT61 said:
I've had two Avirex of that era - one for me and one for my son. The hide was way different - like a less finished horsehide and was really really nice. I got them both for less than $100.
I assumed they were 70's vintage due to the tag, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And @Chandler - to youngin's, this IS vintage

Nice!!! I really like the patina of this leather…honestly seems like I could wear it in spring and even summer on a cool night.

B-Man2 · Feb 26, 2024

Classicman88 said:
Yea I guess 90’s isn’t exactly vintage in this case….and you mention ELC jacket? I’d that Eastman? And you would says it’s heavy, mid, light? Thank you for schoolin me and the helpful info too

So .. why not stick around here and learn a bit about these types of jackets . We’d love to have you stay .

Classicman88 · Feb 26, 2024

B-Man2 said:
So .. why not stick around here and learn a bit about these types of jackets . We’d love to have you stay .

I’m down!

Chandler · Feb 26, 2024

Classicman88 said:
Yea I guess 90’s isn’t exactly vintage in this case….and you mention ELC jacket? I’d that Eastman? And you would says it’s heavy, mid, light? Thank you for schoolin me and the helpful info too

Yes, ELC = Eastman Leather Clothing.

And I definitely wouldn't call them light, but I also have a couple older steerhide jackets I'd definitely call heavy -- so the Avirex and ELC are probably middle of the pack.

To be honest, about the only leather jacket I own that I'd call light is a crap A-2 steerhide from the mid 80s -- paper thin.

MikeyB-17 · Feb 27, 2024

This dates from the time when Avirex were producing a creditable attempt at a WWII A-2. Later they started producing monstrosities with escape map linings, spurious patches and artwork, ridiculously oversized, and became a bit of a joke amongst those who knew about such things. That’s a really nice jacket-I have an early Avirex too, I’ve always assumed it was horse, but it isn’t labelled as such so I’m starting to think it might be lamb, but it’s developed incredible character. Stick around!

Chandler · Feb 27, 2024

As promised, 1990 Avirex A-2 -- Gen-u-eyen horsehide.

FWIW -- tagged 44, fits more like a 42.

Thomas Koehle · Feb 27, 2024

B-Man2 said:
So .. why not stick around here and learn a bit about these types of jackets . We’d love to have you stay .

We'd definitely appreciate if w'd have a new member @Classicman88

Thomas Koehle · Feb 27, 2024

Classicman88 said:
Hope these pictures help, main thing I noticed is how light the jacket feels, not very heavy at all, put it in my arms on scale and added about 3.5 lbs to myself

That's one remarkable authentic looking A2 without the handwarmer pockets that some AVIREX had ... - i'm pretty surprised coz it looks more like a reproduction rather than the "phantasy flightjackets" i've already seen from AVIREX

Cool find for 150 bucks

Classicman88 · Feb 27, 2024

Chandler said:
As promised, 1990 Avirex A-2 -- Gen-u-eyen horsehide.

FWIW -- tagged 44, fits more like a 42.

That’s a reeeeaaally nice one you got…the leather seems fairly thick from the pics. Yea I’m just realizing the sizing is running pretty small, the 42 feels like 40 or even 38.

Chandler · Feb 27, 2024

MikeyB-17 said:
I have an early Avirex too, I’ve always assumed it was horse, but it isn’t labelled as such so I’m starting to think it might be lamb, but it’s developed incredible character.

Pictures please.

MikeyB-17 · Feb 27, 2024

Chandler said:
Pictures please.

Well, all right then

Chandler · Feb 27, 2024

MikeyB-17 said:
Well, all right then
View attachment 140057

That is a crazy unbelievable hide finish for an Avirex!

Do you still wear it? I wear mine when I feel like going all 50s -- it only fits well over a T-shirt.

Avirex A-2 horsehide 90’s

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