Jason
Active Member
Its been a long time coming, however I've joined the growing list of Good Wear Leather owners with a GW Perry having arrived on my doorstep about a week ago. I'm not a big fan of seal jackets, so I made an early choice of a russet horsehide jacket - initially I'd picked a 27753 pattern, but later heard that John was planning to add a Perry to his very impressive line up - and couldn't resist.
Lots has been said about the authenticity of Johns lovingly crafted jackets, and I can attest to that! Little construction nuances are replicated to the best of Johns abilities and the materials available to him. Given that there's no other Perry reproduction presently being made, how about we make the ultimate comparison - a Good Wear with a few original Perrys.
So here they are: lower left is my original size 42, lower right is the GW size 42, and at the top is my original size 44. Notice that even though the two originals are both from the same contract, they have very different leather, and the 44 is a very generous cut, its more like two sizes up from the 42, not just one size up.
Here, the GW is flanked by the originals:
So what's it like to wear? I gave John lots of measurements of my original Perry 42, and my GW was made to those exact measurements. Putting on the GW is just like wearing the original in fit & feel. The leather John has sourced from Horween is slightly thinner and lighter than any other repro I've had which is so refreshing - it makes the jacket both very comfortable to wear, and more like the character exhibited by originals.
Compare this to my original being worn (notice how the right pocket is shorter, and its no illusion, it does measure a good 3/8" shorter!):
In this comparison of the epaulettes, the GW is on top at left:
Lets compare pockets now....
And knits - here's an original knit from a Perry, compared to the GW.
Time to compare linings. The lining at top is the unfaded 'inside' of the lining removed from my size 44 Perry, and should provide a good representation of what a lining in new condition would have looked like back in 1943.
And comparing the labels:
The unique to Perry three piece windflap has been accurately reproduced here too:
John even had a NOS Conmar to grace the Perry:
If we're to be totally fastidious, what improvements could be made? There's very minor differences in the pocket snaps and pocket reinforcement box-stitching, the lining weave, the knits and the label thread colour... but this really does come so close to replicating every little nuance of the Perry that the GW truly deserves its "1942 in a box" accolades. Even little things like the snap reinfocement leather tabs are sewn underneath the collar points and pocket flaps have been recreated. Simply amazing!
I'm a very grateful and happy GW owner. If you want the best reproduction possible, you've found it!
Lots has been said about the authenticity of Johns lovingly crafted jackets, and I can attest to that! Little construction nuances are replicated to the best of Johns abilities and the materials available to him. Given that there's no other Perry reproduction presently being made, how about we make the ultimate comparison - a Good Wear with a few original Perrys.
So here they are: lower left is my original size 42, lower right is the GW size 42, and at the top is my original size 44. Notice that even though the two originals are both from the same contract, they have very different leather, and the 44 is a very generous cut, its more like two sizes up from the 42, not just one size up.
Here, the GW is flanked by the originals:
So what's it like to wear? I gave John lots of measurements of my original Perry 42, and my GW was made to those exact measurements. Putting on the GW is just like wearing the original in fit & feel. The leather John has sourced from Horween is slightly thinner and lighter than any other repro I've had which is so refreshing - it makes the jacket both very comfortable to wear, and more like the character exhibited by originals.
Compare this to my original being worn (notice how the right pocket is shorter, and its no illusion, it does measure a good 3/8" shorter!):
In this comparison of the epaulettes, the GW is on top at left:
Lets compare pockets now....
And knits - here's an original knit from a Perry, compared to the GW.
Time to compare linings. The lining at top is the unfaded 'inside' of the lining removed from my size 44 Perry, and should provide a good representation of what a lining in new condition would have looked like back in 1943.
And comparing the labels:
The unique to Perry three piece windflap has been accurately reproduced here too:
John even had a NOS Conmar to grace the Perry:
If we're to be totally fastidious, what improvements could be made? There's very minor differences in the pocket snaps and pocket reinforcement box-stitching, the lining weave, the knits and the label thread colour... but this really does come so close to replicating every little nuance of the Perry that the GW truly deserves its "1942 in a box" accolades. Even little things like the snap reinfocement leather tabs are sewn underneath the collar points and pocket flaps have been recreated. Simply amazing!
I'm a very grateful and happy GW owner. If you want the best reproduction possible, you've found it!
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