Please help ID this no-tag A-2!

[tony_virtue]

Hi there,

My name is Tony, and i'm a first-time poster! I hope all is well. I'm new to the world of nice leather jackets, but it's been fun so far!

I picked up this used jacket at a thrift store today, and I don't have the experience to identify it (i've been trying all night!) Can you please help me pin down the maker?

Best,

Tony

 

[mulceber]

Post-war “bomber jacket.” No idea who made it, as just about everyone made them, and they all looked very much like that. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a Sears Hercules.

Ps. Welcome to the VLJ

 

[Dumpster D]

Nice Score!

 

[tony_virtue]

Post-war “bomber jacket.” No idea who made it, as just about everyone made them, and they all looked very much like that. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a Sears Hercules.

Ps. Welcome to the VLJ

thanks so much! so, since this is post-war, does that make it a reproduction of the original? Does it not have the spec label because it wasn't issued to the air force?

 

[tony_virtue]

Nice Score!

it cost $250! So I guess the thrift store knew something about how to price these things. Hopefully still a good deal though?

 

[mulceber]

Reproduction would be a strong word for it - most repros are actively trying to be able to pass for an original. This was just a jacket that companies made for a civilian market that thought flight jackets looked cool.

 

[tony_virtue]

Reproduction would be a strong word for it - most repros are actively trying to be able to pass for an original. This was just a jacket that companies made for a civilian market that thought flight jackets looked cool.

Fair enough. thanks for the insight sir!

 

[mulceber]

No trouble at all. And $250 isn't a bad price. Not a steal, but reasonable.

 

[OperationCoffee]

No trouble at all. And $250 isn't a bad price. Not a steal, but reasonable.

But side entry pockets……$250 is a stretch

 

[tony_virtue]

But side entry pockets……$250 is a stretch

Thank you Operation! I’m learning already! This is awesome can you please let me know why the pocket style might be less desirable? Is it about the functionality of the pocket or just fact that it’s less true to the originals?

 

[OperationCoffee]

Thank you Operation! I’m learning already! This is awesome can you please let me know why the pocket style might be less desirable? Is it about the functionality of the pocket or just fact that it’s less true to the originals?

Thank you Operation! I’m learning already! This is awesome can you please let me know why the pocket style might be less desirable? Is it about the functionality of the pocket or just fact that it’s less true to the originals?

It’s more commonplace. You can pick up a jacket in better condition for half that on eBay but it all comes down to what makes you happy

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Thank you Operation! I’m learning already! This is awesome can you please let me know why the pocket style might be less desirable? Is it about the functionality of the pocket or just fact that it’s less true to the originals?

The handwarmer-pockets are 1 feature original issued A2 jackets never had which makes the jacket - like @mulceber Jan already explained - a jacket produced to sell on the civilian market.

If you want to identify issued A2 jackets they have a 1-pice back, the pushbuttons on the pocketflaps are underneath the leather and no handwarmer. Just a few indicators to distinguish A2 from most repros - there is still more but there is more experienced specialists out there to explain.

Looks like there is nothing wrong with the jacket - it seems to be of a certain age but a commercial repop.

I think it is reasonably priced but not the "holy grail" of a collector or of any historic significance

 

[tony_virtue]

The handwarmer-pockets are 1 feature original issued A2 jackets never had which makes the jacket - like @mulceber Jan already explained - a jacket produced to sell on the civilian market.

If you want to identify issued A2 jackets they have a 1-pice back, the pushbuttons on the pocketflaps are underneath the leather and no handwarmer. Just a few indicators to distinguish A2 from most repros - there is still more but there is more experienced specialists out there to explain.

Looks like there is nothing wrong with the jacket - it seems to be of a certain age but a commercial repop.

I think it is reasonably priced but not the "holy grail" of a collector or of any historic significance

Thank you, Thomas. I really appreciate the insight.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Thank you, Thomas. I really appreciate the insight.

You're welcome mate!

My 1st A2 had handwarmer-pockets too (it was a AVIREX) and a nice patch on the chest and i was 100% certain it is real.

Anyway enjoy your jacket and if you're interested to dig a bit deeper into the issue hang around for a while - plenty of fine gentlemen around here ...

 

[tony_virtue]

You're welcome mate!

My 1st A2 had handwarmer-pockets too (it was a AVIREX) and a nice patch on the chest and i was 100% certain it is real.

Anyway enjoy your jacket and if you're interested to dig a bit deeper into the issue hang around for a while - plenty of fine gentlemen around here ...

I was just excited to see something made from horsehide, honestly! but yeah, this thread alone has made me want to learn more Thank you again for sharing.