A Couple of Buzz Rickson Aviators Coats

[tmitchell59]

Don't know much about Buzz Rickson other than they really did a first rate job on these two. The light colored jacket I bought out of the classifieds here a couple of months back. I thought it was stunning. Never owned buffalo, but had a good idea what it is like. I had looked at and bid on other Japanese made jackets, but was aware of possible fit issues. The tan coat is labeled as a 42 and could probably pass for a 46. When the dark one appeared on ebay I was determined to buy it. Labeled as a 40 with numbers that indicated more of a 44. I searched for pics on the internet and found one pic of the tan coat in size 38. That was it. Both came from the Historic Preservation company. I hope someone from their shop can comment. I have a feeling they don't make many of these work coats.

These are as close to wearable garment art as I have owned. Their is a style and execution that is subtle, something I can't find the words for. Amazing work.

I did some stills and the vids. If you have any information about this company or any pics of their work please post
it.

[video=youtube;CxsQ6oqSQ-k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxsQ6oqSQ-k[/video]

 

[tmitchell59]

[video=youtube;2IpicNHwg4Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IpicNHwg4Y[/video]

 

[handymike]

I was eyeing that dark one too!
Good Score!
It is my second favorite jacket out there....

 

[Sloan1874]

Love that collar!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks like both fit extremely well and are definitely premium coats.
Congrats
HD

 

[nick123]

Oh man. My favorite jackets you've posted so far.

 

[John Lever]

I saw the darker jacket and really liked it so much so that I asked Gary Eastman if they were still in production. Unfortunately they are not.
Charles may be able to tell us more.

 

[Edward]

That dark one is gorgeous. I did really fancy it, just didn't have the money at the time (don't you just hate how some of these companies only make a really nice, saleable design for ten minutes and then move on? Does that make it a Pop-Up collection? Bladdy hipsters.... ). Shorter than I'd realised. How's it lined?

 

[tmitchell59]

Shorter than I'd realised. How's it lined?

Yes, shorter than I realized also.

Thanks Charles, I was hoping you would shed some light on these coats. The black models are superb. As a second hand buyer I had no choice, but I would have gone for the black in at least one style. These jackets cost a lot second hand. I knew when I bought the second one I would not have another chance. I also thought they were well worth the money.

The hide on the dark coat is quite different, a bit tougher, a bit heavier. Then it may just be from not having been worn.

I'm looking forward to the 2014 coat Charles will post.

 

[John Lever]

I love the brown version with the sheepskin collar. If anyone has a size 40. ......

 

[HPA Rep]

Yes, shorter than I realized also.

Thanks Charles, I was hoping you would shed some light on these coats. The black models are superb. As a second hand buyer I had no choice, but I would have gone for the black in at least one style. These jackets cost a lot second hand. I knew when I bought the second one I would not have another chance. I also thought they were well worth the money.

The hide on the dark coat is quite different, a bit tougher, a bit heavier. Then it may just be from not having been worn.

I'm looking forward to the 2014 coat Charles will post.

The differences in the hides between the two coats you have could be exactly what you mentioned, which is that one hadn't been worn much, or it could be simply the difference between production batches separated by a year. My own jacket in the black w/ out fur collar was fairly flexible when new and is even more so now after four years of use, but I do think I recall the versions w/ fur collars being more firm in the hand; I didn't get one of those for myself, regrettably, so I have no better reference for comparing.

 

[I would go out tonight]

Those are two of the nicest jackets I have seen. Really lovely.

I did not ever bother to look for a Buzz as I assumed that they would only be in smaller sizes.

 

[pawineguy]

Two really beautiful jackets. I'm partial to the double breasted one, very unique and brilliantly executed. Thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[tmitchell59]

Those are two of the nicest jackets I have seen. Really lovely.

I did not ever bother to look for a Buzz as I assumed that they would only be in smaller sizes.

They are as nice as they look to be. I thought the same about the Japanese leathers, but these two run at least one size small. i can wear both coats with comfort. I do believe the tan coat, marked as a 42 could be someone's 46, certainly a 44, I would say a hair big for a 42. The Dark jacket tops out as a 44 though marked as a 40. On both sales the owners had clear, understandable numbers and I go by those. I have found larger jackets with Japanese labels though most are too small for me. They are harder to find in a larger size, but then vintage leathers are too.

 

[navetsea]

great workmanship on those coats, I really like how the more grainy part is used for the back yoke panel like that.
your fit videos are very thorough tmitchell, you show every possible way your jackets and coats would look when worn, very well done.

 

[tmitchell59]

your fit videos are very thorough tmitchell, you show every possible way your jackets and coats would look when worn, very well done.

Thanks. Not sure why video isn't used more. It is easier for me to do vid than the fit still pictures. The Tan jacket has a different feel/look of leather. Neither coat was worn so not really a wearing/breaking in process. Just a different hide. They do know how to put stuff together.

 

[smoothsailor]

Those two jackets caught my eye in the past, and would be interested to see what we can come up with.
I,d like some kind of barnstormer style

 

[handymike]

Does this begin to warrant it's own thread?

 

[HPA Rep]

Does this begin to warrant it's own thread?

You read my mind. I'm going to contact admin. about merging this with a new topic-specific thread; otherwise, I'll start one on its own.

 

[tmitchell59]

thanks for posting those great jackets. merge, start a new thread, fine with me.