Gentlemen, I am new to the forum and have been searching high and low for a A-2 oriented web site. I have (2) A-2's my trusty Aero seal steerhide, that i have worn since 2000, and my 2005 Eastman russet Rough Wear. The Aero fits like a glove but the Eastman feels is too big (48). I was hoping that a member would like to trade? for a smaller 46. It doesn't have to be an Eastman any manufacture would be considered. Great fourm! Rich
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Eastman A-2
- Thread starter rpsta2000
- Start date
- Messages
- 14,392
- Location
- Small Town Ohio, USA
Welcome!
You'll find a lot of good info here. But here's also a tip:
The difinitive A2 Information forum is Vintage Leather Jackets (VLJ).
Also see the main page for the WWII Forum here, where you'll find a TON of source links and information.
You'll find a lot of good info here. But here's also a tip:
The difinitive A2 Information forum is Vintage Leather Jackets (VLJ).
Also see the main page for the WWII Forum here, where you'll find a TON of source links and information.
PENSACOLA
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 168
- Location
- San Ramon, California
rpsta2000 said:
Ahoy! If you still have the Eastman, I have several A-2's in 46, Aero...Let me know ASAP.
Take care...
Reviving this thread, with something new.
I just received my first Made in Korea Horsehide A2, from the much debated ebayer Spearhead Militaria, who sells some A1, A2 and G1 that was once thought made in China, and could still be, and that no one here in America would want to buy. But, there must be a first person to eat the crab (as the Chinese idiom says), so I bought one and here's some analyses. Photos coming soon.
Overall, the seller is 80% honest, he says the horse is sourced from Argentina, which is true, it smells of Argentinian horse. The tanning process is similar to the American horse, so apart from the smell, the texture and thickness is the same as Aero midweight horse A2 and slightly better than Cockpit new production horsehide (as of 2012).
Mine is a seal brown, which looks pretty spot on, but not sure what shade will develop after wear.
Knits are indeed wool/nylon blend, which is pretty much the standard practice for low-mid range A2 repros, and I like it, it lasts longer without sacrificing the visual appeal. In fact the waistbands are pretty thick and elastic.
The seller describes it as a closer match to Eastman house jackets. Which I agree, it has a long straight torso, rather than the ball-shaped torso of Aero or the box-turtle shaped torso as GnB. Got a 44, but I think I should have gotten a 42, but never mind, I like a roomy fit.
Lining is a cotton polyester blend as well, feels tough and striated, the stitching on the seams of the inside lining is done in and out folded fashion than the usual fold-in seam, so you can see the edge of the two panels of lining. Not sure if this is the Monarch style of it's wrong, but at least the stitch works are very consistent and 8 per inch.
One major fake part: the zip is NOT a talon, Talon is pressed on the bell pull, but it's a YKK, so, some intellectual property issue here, unless there is some agreement between Talon and Ykk that allows customized letter pressing, like an independent branding without claiming it to be THE Talon (like Schott presses their name onto Ideal zippers).
Overall, for the price, 350 dollars, it is an outstanding everyday wear jacket. Now just need to put it to the rough wear test.
I just received my first Made in Korea Horsehide A2, from the much debated ebayer Spearhead Militaria, who sells some A1, A2 and G1 that was once thought made in China, and could still be, and that no one here in America would want to buy. But, there must be a first person to eat the crab (as the Chinese idiom says), so I bought one and here's some analyses. Photos coming soon.
Overall, the seller is 80% honest, he says the horse is sourced from Argentina, which is true, it smells of Argentinian horse. The tanning process is similar to the American horse, so apart from the smell, the texture and thickness is the same as Aero midweight horse A2 and slightly better than Cockpit new production horsehide (as of 2012).
Mine is a seal brown, which looks pretty spot on, but not sure what shade will develop after wear.
Knits are indeed wool/nylon blend, which is pretty much the standard practice for low-mid range A2 repros, and I like it, it lasts longer without sacrificing the visual appeal. In fact the waistbands are pretty thick and elastic.
The seller describes it as a closer match to Eastman house jackets. Which I agree, it has a long straight torso, rather than the ball-shaped torso of Aero or the box-turtle shaped torso as GnB. Got a 44, but I think I should have gotten a 42, but never mind, I like a roomy fit.
Lining is a cotton polyester blend as well, feels tough and striated, the stitching on the seams of the inside lining is done in and out folded fashion than the usual fold-in seam, so you can see the edge of the two panels of lining. Not sure if this is the Monarch style of it's wrong, but at least the stitch works are very consistent and 8 per inch.
One major fake part: the zip is NOT a talon, Talon is pressed on the bell pull, but it's a YKK, so, some intellectual property issue here, unless there is some agreement between Talon and Ykk that allows customized letter pressing, like an independent branding without claiming it to be THE Talon (like Schott presses their name onto Ideal zippers).
Overall, for the price, 350 dollars, it is an outstanding everyday wear jacket. Now just need to put it to the rough wear test.
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- Messages
- 10,181
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
Thanks for the honest appraisal. Look forward to the pics.
Worf
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,207
- Location
- Troy, New York, USA
Just checked out thier ebay offerings and thier website. Interesting outfit. Thanks for the headsup.
Worf
Worf
Just checked the lining of this not so accurate Monarch again, it is actually pretty awesome! It's the striped twill, thicker than any A2 I've seen, Aero, eastman GnB or Cockpit. This is truly awesome, the only other such thick and beautiful lining was on a RRL Buzz Rickson, guess the manufacturer sourced this lining from Japan.
Jaguar66
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 358
- Location
- San Rafael, CA
Here is my negative experience with Spearhead
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...Brown-Horse-Hide-sz-46&highlight=spearhead+a2
I would not use hot water on this jacket
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...Brown-Horse-Hide-sz-46&highlight=spearhead+a2
I would not use hot water on this jacket
Last edited:
Thank your Jaguar, but I was just gonna say, after many rounds of hot washing and tumble drying, at hi med lo heat, there's no significant change to this jacket. It didn't get cooked, didn't shrink, didn't dry, and didt peel. It's seemingly indestructible. I actually wish it can shrink!
A question about Eastman's goatskin
I have obtained a lightly used ELC goatskin with patches. The first thing I noticed was how thick and stiff and squeaky the goat is!! My goodness, it is stiffer and felt like cardboard more so than the horsehide motorcycle jackets!
Does anyone have similar experience? I have seen very nice goatskin from Gibson n Barnes and Cockpit, but goatskin by reputation should be soft and drapes well, right? Not too soft of course, but this ELC is just like a cardboard box.
I have obtained a lightly used ELC goatskin with patches. The first thing I noticed was how thick and stiff and squeaky the goat is!! My goodness, it is stiffer and felt like cardboard more so than the horsehide motorcycle jackets!
Does anyone have similar experience? I have seen very nice goatskin from Gibson n Barnes and Cockpit, but goatskin by reputation should be soft and drapes well, right? Not too soft of course, but this ELC is just like a cardboard box.
Phantomfixer
Practically Family
- Messages
- 819
- Location
- Mid East coast USA
shame the A-2 is dead, like garfield, I never met an A-2 (or lasagna) I didn't like...
My RW 27752 is an ELC warhorse bought in May 2011. It has never had the hot water treatment, just the typical wear and tear. It looks 60 years old....still undecided about that...
My RW 27752 is an ELC warhorse bought in May 2011. It has never had the hot water treatment, just the typical wear and tear. It looks 60 years old....still undecided about that...
Phantomfixer
Practically Family
- Messages
- 819
- Location
- Mid East coast USA
Phantomfixer
Practically Family
- Messages
- 819
- Location
- Mid East coast USA
- Messages
- 10,181
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
I think it looks great on you. I wasn't sure until the last pic. I'm not a huge fan of Eastman, but this one looks really nice to me...and the fit is right on.
Phantomfixer
Practically Family
- Messages
- 819
- Location
- Mid East coast USA
Thanks Butte. The fit is good. I read on another thread about ELC knits being too thin. I agree. I have had several ELCs over the years and they (IMO) have been weak.
BTW great shots of the watch!! went to the website for the bands awesome. Nothing like good craftmanship.
John
BTW great shots of the watch!! went to the website for the bands awesome. Nothing like good craftmanship.
John
- Messages
- 10,181
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
Thanks and you're welcome. I'd say you got a good jacket there. Looks custom on you.
Toshi are great straps. Can't go wrong!
Toshi are great straps. Can't go wrong!
if you want really good knits, I would say go contact gibson n barnes, or the spearhead militaria, the former carries all wool but super elastic, the latter carries wool blend and super thick and durable. of course, the latter is cheaper in price.
