J. A. Dubow was awarded their first of four contracts for A2s on 8th August 1941. The ac20960 contract was for 13,000 jackets and very few come up for sale these days. Last month I was fortunate enough to be able to acquire a size 46 from this pre-War contract. The jacket is made from thick russet horsehide which after conditioning has become quite supple. All the Dubows that I have seen from this contract had Crown zips, but this one unusually has a M-40 Kwik zipper fitted as did first contract Cable Raincoat jackets. Has anyone else seen a Kwik zip used on this contract? It is not mentioned as being used on 20960 contracts in Gary Eastman's A2 Flight Jacket Identification Manual.
The jacket has clearly seen some action, but the lining and pocket label are in tact, although the knits are early, most likely Wartime replacements. The ball stud snaps were made by RAU Fastener Co. The jacket has a collar stand, which was not a feature of the ac 27798 contract.
Although tagged a size 46 it fits more like a typical Wartime 44. It is an interesting pattern, being relatively broad in the shoulders, with wide sleeves, but is very trim at the waist, rather different from the large 27798 contract. Here are a mixture of flash and natural light photos of the jacket.
The jacket has clearly seen some action, but the lining and pocket label are in tact, although the knits are early, most likely Wartime replacements. The ball stud snaps were made by RAU Fastener Co. The jacket has a collar stand, which was not a feature of the ac 27798 contract.
Although tagged a size 46 it fits more like a typical Wartime 44. It is an interesting pattern, being relatively broad in the shoulders, with wide sleeves, but is very trim at the waist, rather different from the large 27798 contract. Here are a mixture of flash and natural light photos of the jacket.
