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USN A2 Deck Jacket Submarine Service

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
recently purchased an A2 Deck jacket which served on the USS James Monroe

came across her on EBAY and got her for the final bid of 77.- Euros

Nice stencil on the back and exactly my size ...

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except a small repair on the left side she seems to be in pretty good condition - if you wonder how such a jacket did her way to Germany: the "James Monroe" served and operated from bases in Scotland and Spain

just ordered a matching patch on the net and will add after some decent aging

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Smithy

Well-Known Member
Yup looks like a cat has been using it as good place for a snooze. Nothing that a quick going over with the vacuum cleaner and a bit of sticky tape won't fix.

You're developing a great collection of cloth jackets Thomas.
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Nice one Thomas, just curious as I'm lookin around for one of these what size was it and what sleeve length? Is it an early issue or later version?
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
Skip so far i do not have it in my hands yet - it has been sent to my Home-adress in Germany whilst i work in Mexico ...

I have another A2 out of my collection here with me in Mex and can check for dimensions if you want.

I stand 1.90 tall with a 44 chest, weight is about 95 kg’s and usually the “L” size A2’s fit (labellled 42 to 44) ...

The “CL” ones are to wide around my chest ...
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Thanks Thomas, that would be great, I'm close to your height at 6'3" but my main concern is sleeve length. Most of the L are around 24-25 in sleeve length taken from shoulder join to end, and as I take a 26-27 in an a2 I'm thinking they might be fine in the chest but short in the sleeve?
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
Thanks Thomas, that would be great, I'm close to your height at 6'3" but my main concern is sleeve length. Most of the L are around 24-25 in sleeve length taken from shoulder join to end, and as I take a 26-27 in an a2 I'm thinking they might be fine in the chest but short in the sleeve?

Just measured and Yep - you are right! Sleevelength measured from shoulder-seam to sleeveend is 24" - measured from armpit is 21.5" - so really seems to be way too short for you ...

Sorry for the bad news ...

Thomas
 

Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
I dragged one out of the loft, an early version post Vietnam pocket corners but with cloth label, will post pics tomorrow. The sleeves on that are 25.5”.
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
Just measured and Yep - you are right! Sleevelength measured from shoulder-seam to sleeveend is 24" - measured from armpit is 21.5" - so really seems to be way too short for you ...

Sorry for the bad news ...

Thomas

No Drama Thomas, thanks for the info its good to know I may have to be specific in choice if I still go ahead looking.

I dragged one out of the loft, an early version post Vietnam pocket corners but with cloth label, will post pics tomorrow. The sleeves on that are 25.5”.

I think you lads mentioned before when I was asking this a month ago, but some lengths in sleeves varied with manufacturer. The 25.5 version would be a possible candidate if I found one with those lengths, but it also depend on how they are measured and on eBay you gotta ask the question. Most obeyers don't know how to measure a jacket properly.

Thanks for the info and wear in good health
 

Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
I've compared two jackets in Large, here's the measurements:

So-Sew Styles 1979 - Shoulders 19"/ Chest 25"/ Sleeves 25.75"

Centre Manufacturing 1986 - Shoulders 19"/ Chest 25"/ Sleeves 25.25"/25"

So the earlier jacket has longer sleeves by around 1/2" to 3/4"

I was about to offer the So-Sew but I made the mistake of trying it on, bar some minor fraying on one side of the zipper tape bottom it's in superb condition. I'll see if I can talk myself into letting it go ;-)

Whereabouts are you based?
 
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Skip

Well-Known Member
Thanks Cobblers, I'm down under in Australia. I'm interested, if you do wish to sell it pm me with some pics

Cheers
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
well finally arrived ...

wow - there was a lot of animal fur on that jacket - think it was german shepherd or so ...

anyway - after a very decent hand-wash with airdrying the jacket now looks great

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took the opportunity to search for my other A2`s - all in all I own 9 - all of them - expect 1 do have stencils or any other kind of markings on them (like the Airforce A2)

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one even has a rank stenciled on the left sleeve

remarkable the differences in colour

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the one on the top is the unmarked one - obviously still brandnew / unissued (on the pic is just 8 - the last one is with me in Mexico)
 

Thomas Koehle

Well-Known Member
The USAF jacket is a typical eBay find - it has a small damage at the sleeve but is otherwise in good condition

Fully out rigged with the chest-piece and ranks

I did not get any more info from the vendor so no real known history behind it

I will snap some more piccies later on today
 
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