Original Poughkeepsie A-2

[Lorenzo_l]

Warning: picture heavy!
Here are a few pictures of my original Poughkeepsie 28560 A-2, which I got from fellow forum member @Wz1999.
For background info, this is an example of Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co.'s only A-2 contract, for 50,000 jackets, awarded in May 1942.

The jacket was in pretty good shape when I received it, although the leather was a tad dry, so I gave it a light coat of leather conditioner, which did wonders to revive the colour of the hide and make it even more supple. I am happy with the results:

The jacket is still strong yet very supple. A delight to wear, albeit only occasionally. One can notice the ghost stitching of a squadron patch on the top right of the front panel:

The nomenclature label. It's tagged as a 42 and it fits like one, slightly large on me (fit pics later):

There is what looks like a serial number written to the left of the label (58863) and another inscription below the label which has been covered in black marker/ink.


The gilt-plated M-41 Talon zipper works fine:

Details of the left and right collar hooks and ring snaps, showing the double-barrel eyelet for attaching the collar hook:

The epaulettes, clearly showing the ghost stitching of rank insignia:

The AAF meatball decal looks quite well for its age:

 

[Lorenzo_l]

The underarm stitching, still going strong, and gussets:

The knitted cuffs are replacements. The only parts not original to the jacket, as far as I am aware:

The liner, a pale shade of tan, is in remarkably good condition, with only minor fraying in the neck area:

The back panel:

And a fit pic. As I mentioned in Part 1, the jacket fits a tad large on me, but I guess that when comes to originals, that's better than a trim fit, to avoid putting undue stress on the seams:

 

[Silver Surfer]

nothing like wearing an original. wowza

 

[caddyd]

Good point ~ The leather may still be good but the thread may not on originals now. But that Poughk's a beaut and still looks good and tough.

 

[mulceber]

What a lovely jacket - congratulations on a great acquisition, @Lorenzo_l!

 

[B-Man2]

Looks great on you Lorenzo and what a fabulous looking original .

 

[Dumpster D]

Could use some educating on This original contract. What makes these distinguishable in relation to other Wartime makers?

 

[Tattoo A2]

Nice jacket, love that look only an original has.

 

[Smithy]

I've said it before on here but everyone rattles on about Dubows and Donigers, but for me Poughkeepsies are the most under-rated. Comfy pattern yet sharp looking, often that lovely chocolate colour with OD stitching, nice pocket flap shape without being too scalloped, and the best name by a country mile.

So rare to see someone say they're getting a Poughkeepsie compared to other contracts when they're getting a GW and you have to wonder why.

Most under-rated contract and Lorenzo's original shows why it's so wrong. I'd take that over a 100 Dubows any day of the week.

 

[mulceber]

I appreciate your love of Poughkeepsie, Tim.

 

[Smithy]

I appreciate your love of Poughkeepsie, Tim.
View attachment 143469

Jan, you know I'm probably the biggest cheerleader for Poughkeepsie jackets here My GW order which John has for me on hold (until I need a new jacket) will be for Poughkeepsie.

Crazy how much it's ignored by guys ordering repros. Their loss.

 

[B-Man2]

Jan, you know I'm probably the biggest cheerleader for Poughkeepsie jackets here My GW order which John has for me on hold (until I need a new jacket) will be for Poughkeepsie.

Crazy how much it's ignored by guys ordering repros. Their loss.

Tim
I know you’ve seen this but for the new guys who haven’t , it’s one of JC’s great looking Poughkeepsie’s from his website .

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Poughkeepsie Type A-2 Jacket Flight Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

 

[Abyss]

Great jacket! Thanks for sharing the photos.

And thank you to Smithy for the info on the Poughkeepsie contract details!

 

[Smithy]

Tim
I know you’ve seen this but for the new guys who haven’t , it’s one of JC’s great looking Poughkeepsie’s from his website .

Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Poughkeepsie Type A-2 Jacket Flight Jacket

www.goodwearleather.com

Doesn't get any better than that Burt.

And yet, guys prattle on about Dubows, RWs, Donigers, etc, etc.

Poughkeepsies are just such great looking A-2s. I remember talking with John about them and him saying how they look really sharp yet are still one of the most comfortable to wear patterns

Nuts how few guys pick them for a repro.

 

[B-Man2]

Doesn't get any better than that Burt.

And yet, guys prattle on about Dubows, RWs, Donigers, etc, etc.

Poughkeepsies are just such great looking A-2s. I remember talking with John about them and him saying how they look really sharp yet are still one of the most comfortable to wear patterns

Nuts how few guys pick them for a repro.

I don’t really know this to be true but do you think that because Poughkeepsie Manufacturers only had one contract, where as the other well know makers had multiple contracts, might have something to do with people preferring a RW , DuBow or Aeros ?

 

[MarilynJones]

Wow, that's a fantastic find! The history behind the Poughkeepsie A-2 contract is fascinating, and it's amazing that you have one in such great condition. The jacket looks stunning! It's always great to see these pieces of history preserved so well.

 

[mulceber]

I don’t really know this to be true but do you think that because Poughkeepsie Manufacturers only had one contract, where as the other well know makers had multiple contracts, might have something to do with people preferring a RW , DuBow or Aeros ?

I think that's a big part of it. The other part is whether the company is known outside of AAF jacket circles - Star and Monarch only had one A-2 contract, and they're really popular, but they were regular contractors for the Navy as well. Poughkeepsie only got the A-2 contract and a couple of shearling jacket contracts, so I think it tends to make them sort of a wallflower in our hobby.

 

[Smithy]

I don’t really know this to be true but do you think that because Poughkeepsie Manufacturers only had one contract, where as the other well know makers had multiple contracts, might have something to do with people preferring a RW , DuBow or Aeros ?

I think that's probably the thing Burt.

John said to me they're a lot like a RW in terms of "style" but with an easier to wear fit.

They're criminally under-rated compared to other contracts.

 

[YoungMedic]

Looks perfect Lorenzo!

 

[blackrat2]

Great looking jacket Lorenzo
Smithy the Poughkeepsie is a great jacket and johns right about how comfy it is compared to a RW…he has all the bits right in his copy of it , very cool contract