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Is 1 Real McCoy really worth 4 Aero Leathers??

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Hmmm, just to throw my 2p into this can of worms, don't know why, really...
i've had many original A2s , G1s, Irvins., B3s, B6s etc over the last 50 years, bought to wear on vintage bikes and WW2 jeep, there weren't the repro makers working back then. I still have a really cheap repro A2 that I used to wear on my bikes, no idea of the maker, still going strong, and it did the job of not being an original to ruin. I'd guess that whichever company is making the repros now spends far longer in making each one than the contractors back in the war days, so probably the stitching is better, the hides are better quality etc, guys want better fitting etc etc and obviously import tax etc plays a major part of cost if involved. In my opinion buy an original in good condition, quite often these cost less than a repro anyway and treat it well. But then a collector's repro market seems to have been established as well, seems strange to me that a repro can cost a lot more than a plain unadorned WW2 A2, G1 etc. then again I wouldn't want a repro Porsche 356A or E type etc .. it's all down to taste and perception. BUT I'm not knocking repros... I have to admit that 20 odd years ago I bought a Buzz Rickson (second hand then) horse hide ANJ3A cos an original was too hard to find, pre i/net (still a pretty rare beast I think), worn it a few times and it's still like brand new, don't think there are many original or repros out there.
never mind, let's all enjoy whatever we can afford & wear with pride
cheers

Back in the days when plain, unadorned originals in good sizes were relatively easily available, keenly priced and with no or very few repro's / representation garments available I would have had no hesitation in agreeing with you. However the last two or three decades have seen an increase in the collector market and less plentiful supply which in turn has driven up prices. Those decades have inevitably taken their toll on original garments meaning while I was quite happy to mooch about in original stuff on a day to day basis years ago I am less happy doing so now. Add to that, and generally speaking, the populations of some western countries have undoubtedly got heavier, broader and taller so repro gear is really the only available choice for reliably solid garments.

I mean when was the last time you went into Milletts or other surplus places and saw original Irvins being sold for not a lot?
 

Micawber

Well-Known Member
I won't buy reproduction Allied flight clothing from Japan as there are several makers of good quality reproductions in the West. I have my reasons for this and stated them in the past.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Hmmm, just to throw my 2p into this can of worms, don't know why, really...
i've had many original A2s , G1s, Irvins., B3s, B6s etc over the last 50 years, bought to wear on vintage bikes and WW2 jeep, there weren't the repro makers working back then. I still have a really cheap repro A2 that I used to wear on my bikes, no idea of the maker, still going strong, and it did the job of not being an original to ruin. I'd guess that whichever company is making the repros now spends far longer in making each one than the contractors back in the war days, so probably the stitching is better, the hides are better quality etc, guys want better fitting etc etc and obviously import tax etc plays a major part of cost if involved. In my opinion buy an original in good condition, quite often these cost less than a repro anyway and treat it well. But then a collector's repro market seems to have been established as well, seems strange to me that a repro can cost a lot more than a plain unadorned WW2 A2, G1 etc. then again I wouldn't want a repro Porsche 356A or E type etc .. it's all down to taste and perception. BUT I'm not knocking repros... I have to admit that 20 odd years ago I bought a Buzz Rickson (second hand then) horse hide ANJ3A cos an original was too hard to find, pre i/net (still a pretty rare beast I think), worn it a few times and it's still like brand new, don't think there are many original or repros out there.
never mind, let's all enjoy whatever we can afford & wear with pride
cheers
Thx, please help to find wearable, unmessed, unholed, unadorned WW2 A-2’s for less than prime maker repro A-2’s...possibly with a pit to pit dimension of 23” or more....IMHO, these times are long over, as are the times over where our braves were fighting with bayonets...;)
 
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A2 B3au

Well-Known Member
Have a look at Bronson's B-6.... Just out of interest in comparison...
real McCoy’s garments seem to fit just that bit better
That’s a good spot bretta, certainly looks like a solid B6
 
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MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
Why would RM design anything? They specialise in making accurate reproductions of existing designs, mainly military. Producing new designs isn’t what they do. And judging by what they’re charging, it’s working out OK for them.
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
RMC, freeeheelers and toys McCoy were a single company that split somewhat acrimoniously with each heading in a different direction. apparently with some yakuza influence and associations in the japanese Americana and leather worlds.
I heard from someone in the circle in Japan that freewheelers have been excluded from events and magazines to an extent based on the falling out.

Wasn’t RMNZ part of this picture somewhere along the way too?
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
I can’t imagine they give a hoot about their legacy. These are companies that reproduce classic designs from the 30’s to the 60’s. They’re not interested in coming up with anything new. They leave that to the Chanels, the Lagerfelds and the McQueens, although it strikes me that most fashion appears to be rehashing what has come before. If you asked them why they don’t design anything, my guess is the reply would be ‘that’s not what we do’. Others with a better insight into the oriental mindset may be able to shed more light.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
They produce the best fabric and nylon “clones” of military jackets, available for money, their shearlings ( incl. military “clones”) are unbeatable ( discussed here many times).
We may all agree they are profitable and highly regarded by all real experts / collectors and hipsters... Waiting lists for larger sizes are longer than GW’s ones...
Even their 2nd hand jackets sell better and higher than most prime makers new jackets...( compare a 2nd hand RMcCs B-10’s eg in 44” price with any other B-10 even if new;););)).
Why changing this business model which worked since several decades...? and surely will work for several more decades ...
 
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John Lever

Moderator
Here's a beautiful McCoys creation


 

Flash Badger

Well-Known Member
Hi Gents,

Currently my only jacket is a size 46 RMNZ B3 Roughwear whose hide I am relably informed is grom the now defunct Fenland tannery in the UK. I dont know about the the price tag attached to such a jacket but I have to say that the hide is very different from other B3's (Easman), Irvins (Aero and original IS) and B6's (aero) I've owned. The Fenland hide feels much more solid that the other manufacturers which is I think a loto do with the glaze applied to them. The RMNZ is around 15 years old and worn in however the glaze is completely intact while the others were starting to flake in the stress areas after a few years of wear. Its also surprisingly comfortable to wear for such a bulky jacket due to being beautifully cut and finished. While the Eastmans and Aeros are beautiful jackets in ther own right I do feel the RMNZ is a significant step up in cut, quality and finish. To be honest I think the feel on the hide is actually closer to the original Irvin i had rather than the other two manufacutrers I've owned. Dont know how long it will be with me as, living in Australia, the jacket season is fairly short but while I have it I will make good use of it.

Garry
 

John Lever

Moderator
Hi Gents,

Currently my only jacket is a size 46 RMNZ B3 Roughwear whose hide I am relably informed is grom the now defunct Fenland tannery in the UK. I dont know about the the price tag attached to such a jacket but I have to say that the hide is very different from other B3's (Easman), Irvins (Aero and original IS) and B6's (aero) I've owned. The Fenland hide feels much more solid that the other manufacturers which is I think a loto do with the glaze applied to them. The RMNZ is around 15 years old and worn in however the glaze is completely intact while the others were starting to flake in the stress areas after a few years of wear. Its also surprisingly comfortable to wear for such a bulky jacket due to being beautifully cut and finished. While the Eastmans and Aeros are beautiful jackets in ther own right I do feel the RMNZ is a significant step up in cut, quality and finish. To be honest I think the feel on the hide is actually closer to the original Irvin i had rather than the other two manufacutrers I've owned. Dont know how long it will be with me as, living in Australia, the jacket season is fairly short but while I have it I will make good use of it.

Garry
Welcome Gary. Yes RMNZ did make benchmark sheepskins using Fenland hides. They even had a small production line there for a short period. Some jackets have a Made in UK tag on them.
Regarding quality, it helps if you consider that Fenland supplied Rolls Royce seat covers.
Some RMNZ patterns can be slightly iffy though particularly their Navy sheepskins, they never did get the m445 zip to function as it should.
I whish we could send you some of our rain, it never stops here.
 
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