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Doubts on A-2 Eastman jacket

Dugafola

New in Town
Messages
48
i have a eastman rw 1401 that i picked up off ebay earlier this year. it's in incredible condition and was a custom with extra sleeve length and back. it's very similar to the leather shown in your link. super smooth. no grain. but in a russet and not seal brown. made in 09ish.

based on the number shown on your pocket tag, that jacket is probably 8 years old...which probably pre-dates war horse.
 

Cooper A-2

Practically Family
Messages
933
Location
France
i have a eastman rw 1401 that i picked up off ebay earlier this year. it's in incredible condition and was a custom with extra sleeve length and back. it's very similar to the leather shown in your link. super smooth. no grain. but in a russet and not seal brown. made in 09ish.

based on the number shown on your pocket tag, that jacket is probably 8 years old...which probably pre-dates war horse.
Thx for your input. What is whith the last photo? strange, different pocket and knits?
Thx a lot
 

rocketeer

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,605
Location
England
Garry's had three different names, maybe more for his hides. War Horse, Time Worn, 50 Cal, personally I would not know the difference.
The 'Horsehide' label is from the days when he was accused of using non horse leather in his 100% accurate reproductions. I don't think any maker put those labels in WWII military issued jackets, maybe civilian copies though Eastman have never made a 'civvy' issue A2 to my knowledge which makes the jacket a non 100% accurate reproduction :(
 

Cooper A-2

Practically Family
Messages
933
Location
France
Thx for your feedback.
but what is with the " inaccurate" color, considering this RW contract, especialy the last photo...not even looking like a RW, based on pockets cut & color etc...Maybe its only the seller who has no idea.
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,353
Location
UK
Hi ye, I have owned a few Eastmans, older and very recent. This looks like an 'older' ELC RW27752, I may be mistake, but I doubt its Warhorse - too smooth... I had 2 of these same RW27752s back in circa 2005. Still a good jacket though. Looks to be in decent condition. The cuffs have been stretched out a bit, denoting some age... Last pic is NOT the same jacket (pockets - dead give away).
I would make an offer.

My 'new' 2015 RW1401 Warhorse. Notice the grain - right out the box.

Brett_ELCRW1401_2_04.JPG

Brett_ELCRW1401_2_05.JPG
 

HPA Rep

Vendor
Messages
855
Location
New Jersey
Garry's had three different names, maybe more for his hides. War Horse, Time Worn, 50 Cal, personally I would not know the difference.
The 'Horsehide' label is from the days when he was accused of using non horse leather in his 100% accurate reproductions. I don't think any maker put those labels in WWII military issued jackets, maybe civilian copies though Eastman have never made a 'civvy' issue A2 to my knowledge which makes the jacket a non 100% accurate reproduction :(

ELC does still use the horsehide labels in military jackets such as the A-2.
 

HPA Rep

Vendor
Messages
855
Location
New Jersey
What jacket is this?
Seller mentions "war horse" shows Rough Wear and Aero jacket (last photo).
Leather does not look like war horse. No grain for WH.
Hide color does not look like the type tag says. Pockets photos and last photo not matching.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-A-2-flight-jacket-/291891760849?hash=item43f61aced1:g:XG8AAOSwGXtXhAds
Experts please revert.
Thx.

ELC WarHorse first appeared in the late summer of 2007, with the Werber A-2 1729 seeing first use. The A-2 in question here is an older example and is very, very likely the WarHorse of older days. The WarHorse we know currently, of which there are two types (WarHorse and Vintage WarHorse), first appeared in the early fall of 2010 and was used for only the Rough Wear 27752.

The horsehide ELC wanted to find in 2007 is what we know today, but those early batches from 2007-2010 were a slight improvement over what was previously used in the 2000's (in terms of grain). Later in 2011, the newer WarHorse was introduced on the Star Sportswear A-2, but other colors didn't appear until late 2012 into 2013, and then we got Vintage WarHorse just on the Werber 1729 before it found its way on other styles.

It gets complicated over time, and ELC might have been better to adopt new terms for improved hides to preclude confusion, but that's a call Gary chose not to make, and maybe for sound reason.
 

jeepjeep13

One of the Regulars
Messages
233
I know this is an old thread, but you guys might be able to help. I found a cool old eastman a2 on ebay with longer arms and length (which I need), but the label looks like it says Eastmam Leather Company. Is this a knockoff or just the way the labels used to look when the company first started out?
 

Technonut

Practically Family
Messages
913
Location
West "By Gawd" Virginia
Look at the other 'N'. It's an Eastman.. In fact, also saved in my watch list a few days ago to possibly throw a bid in.. ;)

EDIT: Since you really need it for the added sleeve-length, and I was going to have the sleeves 'bobbed' if won for an additional cost, I'll abstain from bidding on it... Good luck! :)
 
Last edited:

jeepjeep13

One of the Regulars
Messages
233
Look at the other 'N'. It's an Eastman.. In fact, also saved in my watch list a few days ago to possibly throw a bid in.. ;)

EDIT: Since you really need it for the added sleeve-length, and I was going to have the sleeves 'bobbed' if won for an additional cost, I'll abstain from bidding on it... Good luck! :)


It definitely does look like Eastmam though (at least to me).

Thank you for abstaining on the bid. haha. I've always wanted a solid eastman a2 and it"s difficult to find one that fits tall, skinny and goofy looking.
 

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