Recent photos of GW 422 and 39 Werber

[airfrogusmc]

Just pulled these babies out and forgot how good they looked.

The collar on the 422 is getting lighter and some of the grain is becoming way more pronounced.

AHHHH and the 39 Werber what can I say but John is the man.

 

[Falcon_52]

Man, those look great! The M-422 especially looks fantastic. I'm so glad jacket weather is back in our part of the world.

Noel

 

[airfrogusmc]

Man, those look great! The M-422 especially looks fantastic. I'm so glad jacket weather is back in our part of the world.

Noel

Thanks Noel. Yeah me too. It might even be cool enough this afternoon and evening for the Werber.

The M422 is probably my fav. I cant say enough good stuff about the goat and the mouton on this one.

 

[TankBuster]

Great jackets Allen! I got to see one of Johns WW2 Navy jackets first hand last weekend. They are super!!!

 

[airfrogusmc]

Thanks Jeff. His Navy jackets are the most accurate repros of Navy jackets in my opinion by a mile.

 

[oldskoolonly]

Nice Jackets!! Sadly spring has sprung here in Oz and sadly its time to put my jackets away. Never the less im pretty stoked to be able to wipe the dust of my wake board!!!

 

[Andrew]

I'd be extremely happy with that Werber- that russett leather is beautiful. Which series is it Allen (i'm losing track of the latest greatest)?

 

[airfrogusmc]

Thanks oldskoolony

Andrew, It was from almost two years ago so its not the latest russet John is using and that stuff is real nice but I have to say I really like this russet horse too. I think he can still get this or has some. Its the 1939.

 

[greyhound52]

Wow very nice I really like both. John did a fantastic job on the Navy jacket.

 

[philip.ed]

That A2 looks awesome. Are GW better than Eastman as far as A2's go? That sure does look like a beautiful jacket.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Are GW better than Eastman as far as A2's go?

Tough question for me to answer. I've only owned one Eastman and that jacket was returned because of wrong fit and I went with a nylon Buzz as replacement. The Eastman hide seemed very good, but it was also my first true A-2. Didn't get back into leather A-2 until last year and now I've owned two GW A-2s (currently just one) and one Buzz A-2. In my opinion, I think GW produces the best A-2 right now. With Eastman's prices coming into the range of GW, their quality and reproduction seemed to be getting very close to GWs, but maybe some of the more recent owners of Eastman can chime in with their thoughts.

I've never dealt with Eastman directly, but HPA had great customer service when I ordered through them. GW is a little slower with production, but you'll get exactly what you want in your size and communication through the process is top notch!

 

[philip.ed]

Many thanks for the detailed response I suppose it's a question that can never really have a correct answer...
There's so many makers that are making the A2 jacket too.
Is there any topic that covers them all in-detail? I've heard of Buzz Rickson making them, a company called THE_FEW, a company in New-Zealand, and then the of course Eastman, Aero and GW. Is it all a much of a much in terms of authenticity? I probably have missed a fair number of makers from my list too. I suppose that for anyone wanting a repro, you couldn't ask for more variety :lol:

 

[deeb7]

There's so many makers that are making the A2 jacket too.
Is there any topic that covers them all in-detail?

All the makers are covered here, Philip ... just not all in the one thread. Perhaps when you have a spare Sunday, you could scroll through the Repros, and Reviews sections of this forum.

You will find plenty of opinions.

 

[philip.ed]

Yes, I'm working my way through it; it's hard to get a clear idea though on which ones are the best. It'd be nice if someone could put together a review on all of them if a person has ever owned them all...
But certainly all the makers mentioned produce quality products

 

[deeb7]

Yes, I'm working my way through it; it's hard to get a clear idea though on which ones are the best. It'd be nice if someone could put together a review on all of them if a person has ever owned them all...
But certainly all the makers mentioned produce quality products

Currently Good Wear would receive the most votes on the forum, but all the makers you mention have their supporters.

... and it's all only opinion. Perhaps you could buy a few examples from each maker, and let us know.

 

[philip.ed]

Yes, when I am older and the dosh starts rolling in :lol:

I have my Dad's Eastman which doesn't fit him (a size 40) in mint condition. I should really sell it for a 42 for him...

 

[airfrogusmc]

That A2 looks awesome. Are GW better than Eastman as far as A2's go? That sure does look like a beautiful jacket.

GWs are more accurate and I've owned both. I also owned McCoys 39 Werber and the GW is far more accurate. Paul Sanders had original 33, 39 and 42 Werbers and GW gets it right. The epaulets on the McCoys were to wide and the hide to thick.

 

[Mundele]

The epaulets on the McCoys were to wide and the hide to thick.

I have a Buzz Rickson Rough Wear and the hide on that is also incredibly thick and heavy. However since I've never owned an original Rough Wear I can't tell whether it is accurate or not. It is a magnificent jacket either way.

I also own an Eastman and an Aero - both very satisfactory.

I have recently acquired two Good Wears. To be absolutely honest - they are both wonderful. They somehow feel right. The weight, the cut, the colour, the grain. Everything feels just a little bit better on the Good Wears.

I am firmly one of increasingly many who believe Good Wear to be Numero Uno in A2 reproductions.

 

[deeb7]

Currently Good Wear would receive the most votes on the forum ...

See, Ben .... what did I tell you?

 

[philip.ed]

It seems to be pretty clear I can see.

many thanks chaps.