A-2 Labels

[J. M. Stovall]

Hey, does anyone know a place to get reproductions of AAF A-2 Leather jacket labels? I have an A-2 that I have had for at least 20 years, that I bought at Banana Republic back when they only sold adventure gear looking stuff. The jacket is great, and I thought it would be fun to make it a little more authentic.

 

[PADDY]

Repro & original A-2 contract labels.

Unless you are on 'very' friendly terms with an A-2 maker, then you'll not get one off them (and even then, it could be doubtful).

Once in a blue moon, originals come up, but because it is rare, they command premium prices (silly money for a piece of material [huh] ).

If you want to go authentic, then it might be an idea to think of getting an original jacket or a second hand 'good' repro. Just an idea

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Thanks for the info Paddy, I thought that was probably the case since I spent quite a while Googleing with no luck. I'll just have to start savng my pennies .

 

[Fletch]

You could always get a rubber stamp made that says this in gothic block letters:

TYPE A-2
DWG. NO. 30-1415
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY​

This was the standard label put in at clothing depots when an A-2 was reconditioned. Stamp it onto tag-type material with ink or paint (they used black ink on a white label), or right onto the liner fabric (they did this too).

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Thanks Fletch, I'll give it a try!

 

[Estevan]

You could always get a rubber stamp made that says this in gothic block letters:

TYPE A-2
DWG. NO. 30-1415
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY​

This was the standard label put in at clothing depots when an A-2 was reconditioned. Stamp it onto tag-type material with ink or paint (they used black ink on a white label), or right onto the liner fabric (they did this too).

Never heard of that Fletch. Do you have any examples of this? Photos, or documentation? No doubt it happened, I just would like to see evidence.

 

[Alan Eardley]

Never heard of that Fletch. Do you have any examples of this? Photos, or documentation? No doubt it happened, I just would like to see evidence.

Me too!

Alan

 

[PADDY]

News to me too!

Certainly, any photos of this Fletch would be really appreciated. If we can document this then you've 'added' a little bit more of history for the Jacket Nuts.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

There was a rare example(and pic) posted on The VLJ forum a few days ago. White label with black stamped lettering. The A2 had been redyed...an AAF decal added,etc. and the different label sewn in at the depot. At least this was the conclusion of a few on that forum. If I remember correctly...John Chapman chimed in that he had seen this before as well.
HD

 

[aswatland]

I have also seen white stamped depot labels occasionally. They were sometimes fitted when a jacket was re-lined. The re-dyed RW 1401p on Ebay was the most recent example.

 

[Estevan]

You think you could post a pic of this here? That would be great. As I said, I've never seen one. Interesting.

 

[nightandthecity]

J.M., I can't spare one of my precious original tags but if you pm me I'll send you a used Eastman A2 tag. Fold over or cut off the Eastman bit before you stitch it in and it will look pretty convincing.

 

[cheaterome]

white a-2 labels

Well I guess if anything is around long enough it is considered vintage right?

I am of the firm fact based belief that the white or stamped labels that are supposed re- issued depot jackets are in fact from the same unscrupulous dealer that was making the (mod.) tag for b-15 garments in So-Cal during the late 1980's to the mid 90's when somebody busted him out.

And that is fact.
Because at the time when the Japanese considered anything with a mod. tag a holy grail and were paying up to 5 grand a jacket !!!!!

Scheisters come out of the woodwork when that happens.

"beware that is all I am sayin"


Jerome

 

[Estevan]

Like I said..."I've never seen one."

Not to say that they don't exist, if they're frauds then that would explain why one has never crossed my path in all my years of collecting. I see no one has posted any pictures of this so called phenomena so I'm leaning towards the fraud explanation. Now, I have come across several A-2s and M-422a jackets that were re-issues. These jackets, some of them didn't have labels, especially the M-422As. The navy jackets were totally reworked and turned into "Pool Jackets" for the crews. Now the numerous A-2s that I have come across still had the original label, but were re-sprayed. The patches removed, jacket knits masked or replaced, resprayed, decal put on and then re-issued. The no name contract I have now is a reissue. Most likely reissued during the Korean Conflict.

[/IMG]

 

[Fletch]

It's nice to be fraud-proof. If you've never even seen one, well, your reputation must precede you.

One point to be made is: If they had the old label with the jacket at the depot (and they usually did even if the liner was shot), why make a new one? Why not just resew the old label on, or keep that part of the liner and sew new liner to it? :eusa_doh: Hmm...

Now tell us what a Pool Jacket is. Anything like a cabana coat?

"Seaside Favorite of Men" - ca. 1965

And how do you rework a 422 into one? lol

BTW, here's the shot of the white label.

John Chapman thought it was a Dubow re-dye job.

 

[greyhound68]

I had a reworked RW 18091 which had the same color lining as you have on the reworked Dubow. It just was stamped in the liner A2 size 42, no tag etc. Still had the original crown zipper.

 

[PADDY]

Actually, a penny has dropped with me here...

:eusa_doh: Doh!! how did I forget this (probably because it's been in mothballs for so long in my loft!). My original Aero A-2, has an ink stamp in it just below where the orginal stitched label would be.
I'm not going to dig it out right now (you wouldn't see me for a few years if I got lost up there[huh] ), but if you can imagine the stamp is a rectangle the same 'sort of size' as a label, with A-2 marked on it and the Size 40 (can't remember if there's anything else). First time I have seen this. But the jacket is a re-call/re-spray/re-issue job. (eg; Seal respray over original russet, which is coming through nicely to create a lovely patina). I'll check to see if I have ever take photos of this 'stamp.' Now, that would be a 'cheap' way of doing it (and not faff around with a label!).

Right, trust me on this one gents! As you look at the black & white label, move your eye down from it onto the liner fabric, and you can make out the faint rectangular black ink outline, and if you're really eagle eyed, well...you can see the number '40' there too. There's also the letters A-2, but 'I' can't even make that out from the photos!

 

[Estevan]

Yes, I can make it out, thanks Paddy. No, I don't think anyone would waste time sewing a label into a reworked depot jacket either. Now, I have seen the same think on reworked pool jackets as well (a pool jacket is one that is issued to an airman and then turned back in for re-issue at the end of the flight/mission. It normally had a number stenciled on it and was not issued, but considered on temp loan only.) Like I said gentleman, this is not to say that they don't exist. [huh]

 

[Estevan]

Pool Jackets

And how do you rework a 422 into one?

Now that's a mystery....lol

 

[greyhound68]

Paddy,
Have the exact same stamp on my RW here it is again real faint also. States: A-2 flight jacket Size 42