Owning originals .. the good , the bad , and the ugly .

[ausreenactor]

My only original has a worn decal and CAPT rank attached. And looks like two rings of stitch holes. At least it was not a 'hanger queen' tucked away during the war and popped up after decades of storage. I am happy just knowing I have it, that it was good enough to sit in Ken's collection at Aero for years and that my son thinks it is cool. I think repros afford some flexibility for collectors who dabble with re-enacting. You can patch em, paint em and knock em around. Re-enacting is not entirely like collecting or living history. 80% is close enough. To spend the extra hundreds or thousands to close that authenticity gap is for the purists. I have dozens of uniforms that can be enhanced with robust themed repro... If I wanted to throw the original uniforms and the Bronco A-2 at a mannequin I would be the only one who would see it.... At least the repros get to see the odd event or two each year. Not lately of course...

 

[Flightengineer]

Burt, thanks for that thread. Nice to see these originals. You're right, nothing beats the original. I had a lot of original jackets but didn't own original A2 (not yet).
Some asymmetry and "errors" are typical for most originals and not only for A2. At one time I was seriously collected field jackets and I can say the same about M43/50/51/65 jackets and some others.
I also agree that people who can be trusted to repair or even replace cuffs or zippers are very rare. Many times I came across what you wrote about when choosing a seamstress or repairman.
I have been looking for my seamstress for a long time, and now I trust her only. She has magic hands and knows how to make repairs or replacements so you never think that it was done. I don't even know what to do if something happens to her. It's like a personal doctor or if compare with aviation - like your plane technician. This is very personal, so I share her contact to my very close friends only who are obsessed with jackets.

 

[B-Man2]

Dmitry
That’s so true ... once you find a competent skilled leather restoration person, it’s like finding a great dentist or barber that you would be lost without . Fortunately we have a few here with us on VLJ . As you know an unskilled person or one who doesn’t know what color knits went with a particular A2 contract , can take an expensive original A2 and turn it into a worthless leather jacket .
Cheers

 

[Kermit3D]

It is really a great thread. Thank you very much B-Man2.
People who own original jackets are only the guardians of an historical object. It involves immense responsibilities and real knowledge to avoid doing anything stupid.
Something I think is important: When these jackets are sold we have to make sure they get passed on to people we trust.

Personally I think it's a good thing to wear these original jackets (very) occasionally, with a lot of care.
I think it's sad to keep them on the hanger and that no one can see them.

In your thread, B-Man2, you talk about a disease on any originals sheepskin jackets : red rot. Does anyone have a photo of this red rot to see what it looks like ?

 

[bazzer]

Hi inspired by b-man2 post here's my rescue project as a nylon man obviously nylon
Funny how you come by jackets sometimes
This jacket was rescued from the bin of a local charity shop
A friend of my daughter knows I like jackets and was doing a shift at the charity shop and this came in

It was black with engine oil and Red rust stains had extensive black mold
Covered in large car related patches
the smell is hard to explain I think the last owner died in it

She said she would take it and gave it to me
It turns out to be an early m-a1 1961 skyline c contact the first with orange liner

I first took it to be drycleaned but they refused so I read up some of the old posts here and found you could wash these if you are careful
With a mixture of shampoo wool lite and hair conditioner and lemon juice for rust stains and fresh air drying
my tool kit

Now after major surgery hand washing
I have got to this

 

[bazzer]

 

[bazzer]

 

[bazzer]

As you can see I am getting there slowly still have a few rust stains and have to do Knitts have a few holes
Thats were I need help when I take the Knitts off I will cover the back of the hole with nylon repair patch should I just leave hole or fill?
Patch wise there are all ready holes do I repatch or leave?
Thanks
Baz

 

[Silver Surfer]

Hey, Kermit, did you write, “hanger”? If ya want to kill an original, put it on a hanger. Never, ever put an original anything on a coat hanger. Reason? In short order, the hanger ends will create a bulge at the tops of the shoulders, and will eventually lead to those areas cracking, and possibly the shoulders blowing out.

 

[Flightengineer]

As you can see I am getting there slowly still have a few rust stains and have to do Knitts have a few holes
Thats were I need help when I take the Knitts off I will cover the back of the hole with nylon repair patch should I just leave hole or fill?
Patch wise there are all ready holes do I repatch or leave?
Thanks
Baz

I have this contract. Great jacket.
You can try darning the nylon, but...it will still be noticeable. Another more radical way is shorten the sleeve, but this should be done by a specialist.

 

[bazzer]

Thank you for the advice if I was not forced to I would have not done as much as I have it was in such a state that no-one else would have touched it
Really impressed with the hand washing as I thought they could be only dry cleaned no shrinkage
Original it looked a bit like a black m-a1 with rust
The antibacterial wash got rid of the smell really well
I found a local seamstress who did Knitts on another old skyline I will ask her what she can do
Baz

 

[Kermit3D]

Hey, Kermit, did you write, “hanger”? If ya want to kill an original, put it on a hanger. Never, ever put an original anything on a coat hanger. Reason? In short order, the hanger ends will create a bulge at the tops of the shoulders, and will eventually lead to those areas cracking, and possibly the shoulders blowing out.

That's why I don't have an original jacket... I'm not ready, I still have a lot to learn. I don't think I spontaneously put an original jacket on a hanger. Since we're talking about it, does this also apply to reproductions ? I use wide hangers. (sorry for this little off topic).
What is the best way to store an original jacket ? I imagine that it should not be folded either.

 

[Micawber]

Good post as always Burt

 

[CBI]

At this point in my enthusiasms, if I want to wear an A-2, I wear my original and really don't want to wear a repro A-2. Not saying I don't love the repros, but for me, there's sort of a "what's the point?" aspect. "I want to wear an A-2 that looks EXACTLY like an original" .......... well, just wear the real thing, end of story.............

Still, leather in general is not my go to, so for the occasional leather wearer - me - originals work! The fact that its the REAL thing is the point, not wearing something that "looks like one"

Yes, I know the issues, fragility, sizing, etc. but I have more fun wearing a real jacket occasionally that an repro more often. it just where I am with all of this.

I have been loving all of the 5 Star Dubow threads and pics but am happy to say, felling no pull whatsoever to buy. Could I be talked into a 5 Star, GW, ELC......certainly possible I guess.

After years of collecting (in re leather) I own an original A-2, G-1 and Irvin and a 5 Star A-1.........that' it and feel "done"

Not trying to be a contrarian, just adding a different point of view.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Wide hangers are fine for short term storage of repro a-2s, and long term for nylons.

 

[B-Man2]

heya burt, many thanx for reintroducing "vintage" to the vintage leather jacket forum. personally, I never tire of seeing the oldies.....and noting just how different each and every one is form another.....even within the same contracts.

Thanks for the kind words Vic...Much appreciated

 

[B-Man2]

With respect young man sometimes it's best to avoid the urge to comment on everything and just keep quiet. Burt is one of the most respected and knowledgeable members of this forum, you would be well advised to remember that.

No need to respond. Just take the hint.

Thanks for your response Steve...very kind of you mate.

 

[B-Man2]

I 100% agree with you Steve , Burt is one of the pillars of the forum for knowledge and diplomacy just look at his postings and his likes .

BIP out

Thanks for that Jeff..

 

[B-Man2]

NOTHING like an original, just wear only occasionally. Thats for me for leather. Cool pics - thanks!!!!!

Thanks John.. appreciate your response
For info purposes...That great looking Aero with the name tag came from John.

 

[B-Man2]

It is really a great thread. Thank you very much B-Man2.
People who own original jackets are only the guardians of an historical object. It involves immense responsibilities and real knowledge to avoid doing anything stupid.
Something I think is important: When these jackets are sold we have to make sure they get passed on to people we trust.

Personally I think it's a good thing to wear these original jackets (very) occasionally, with a lot of care.
I think it's sad to keep them on the hanger and that no one can see them.

In your thread, B-Man2, you talk about a disease on any originals sheepskin jackets : red rot. Does anyone have a photo of this red rot to see what it looks like ?

Thanks Kermit.....There used to be a few photos of the dreaded red rot on a I. Spiewak A2 . I think it might have been posted a short time ago . You might put that info into the search function to see what pops up.