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Freewheelers Union Special Overalls 'Journeyman' Tatanka Brown horsehide

Dr H

Well-Known Member
I've posted several of images of this jacket already, but this is a set of close ups showing the detailing.

This is the 'Journeyman' work coat, based on an early 20th century (1920s-1930s) pattern, and developed by Freewheelers (http://www.freewheelers.co.jp/english/store/index.html). Freewheelers already offer their products seasonally in the autumn in comparatively small numbers and they tends to sell out quite quickly, having an enthusiastic following; larger sizes more suitable for the typical western buyer are rare with 36, 38 and 40 predominating (and 44 being the largest size offered). This coat is a size 42, with the following dimensions:

Pit to pit 22" (56 cm)
Shoulders 18.5" (47 cm)
Sleeves 25.5" (64 cm)
Back length 28" (71 cm)

The Journeyman is usually offered in either black deerskin or olive drab Shinki horsehide, and this particular coat is a limited edition (from a small run of 15 assembled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Japanese retailer 'Old Goat') in a warm mid-brown 'Tatanka Brown' Shinki Horsehide used by Freewheelers for their A-1. This particular edition has an olive green heavy-cotton flannel lining that is very warm and soft and finished with olive drab cotton (the stitch count is high, coupled with a double line of stitching on the collar edge). Together with the green/grey buttons in some (casein?) resin, it's a really striking colour combination. Labelling is one of the fictional Freewheelers house styles 'Union Special' and there is an inside pocket with Wabash lining.

The coat is fastened with six buttons and has a deep collar stand and an additional neck chin strap. The high armholes have gussets to the armpits that are sturdy and well reinforced, while the deep cuffs are finished with two buttons apiece. The coat has a slim A line silhouette, which is similar to the Brakeman coat, with a chest pocket and two hip pockets with well profiled flaps.

Ironically, with all the discussion about high quality, laser straight stitching, these coats are deliberately cut with a less than straight front edge; the chest pocket has a deliberately distorted shape. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but somehow it does.

I've included a series of detailed shots, but inevitably the cool guy who models the Freewheelers gear always wears the coat best...

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Dr H

Well-Known Member
More images

This is the original model for the Brakeman (related design without pocket flaps and narrower collar).
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Last edited:

Dr H

Well-Known Member
Forgot a few...
 

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Dr H

Well-Known Member
The used Freewheelers Brakeman (in a 44) that I mentioned above arrived this morning and fits me perfectly (uncannily as if it had been tailored by John C). This is definitely a keeper and so this beautiful Journeyman will be listed on the Buy/Sell section very soon.
 
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