First Post & A-2 Comment

[TarHeel1911]

Hi there
I found this site while I was researching A-2 jackets, and decided to join after reading posts for a while. This is a really cool forum!

Anyway, thanks in part to some of the commentary I read here, I decided to buy an A-2 from U.S. Authentic, and couldn't be happier! Both the jacket itself and Mr. Dover's service exceeded my expectations (this after a very disappointing experience with a competitor's product).

I'm looking forward to getting a "Rangoon" USAAF officer's shirt to wear with my new jacket.

I do have a few questions about care of these jackets-

First, if I get caught in the rain and get the leather wet, what should I do to get the excess water off and dry the jacket?

Second, how do you remove sweat/skin oil stains from the leather? Is this something you can do at home, or does a professional cleaner need to deal with it?

Still enjoying my explorations on the forums-I'll post more on topics of interest as I find them.

 

[Sefton]

Welcome to the Lounge! I'm not an expert on the A-2, although a few of our members certainly can be called such. I have an Aero "Real Deal" 1941 repro that I wear in all sorts of weather. When it gets wet I just hang it up to dry in a warm,dry room. I don't put it near heat,just hang it up. This works for me. As for cleaning it;I've had mine for almost two years and haven't cleaned it yet (although I may soon do so with a little Lexol around the collar). I hope this little info was helpful. Cheers! Sefton

 

[Better Duck]

Hi there, and also welcome all the way from Holland: an ocean away for man, but a button's touch for forummembers ...

As to care of your A2: not to much please; just wear 'm don't baby them. The hide can take the water, will dry without problems if you let it dry naturally, i.e. at room temperature, not force dry it over a heater or something like that. After a few squalls the jacket will start to look like a real used A2, instead of a brand new one.
Then, once a year a very slight coat of Pecard's or any other good leather conditioner, and it will survive you!
Sweat I also wouldn't mind about, that is, if it is your sweat! It is part of using the jacket and helps, from the inside, to get it away from rookie status!

As to oil, I defer to the oil specialists ...

Have fun here,

Peter

 

[Atticus Finch]

Hi Tarheel1911,

Fedora Lounge is a great forum, no doubt about it. But if you are really interested in A-2s---both original and reproduction---please allow me to suggest that you pay these folks a visit.

http://cornellsurgery.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

By the way, I can't help but be intrigued by your username. Are you a Tarheel, as in, born in the Old North State?

Atticus

 

[kojax]

a2 horsehide

hello everybody i have a a2 horsehide from u.s.mgf real nice jacket for the money.....she is breaking in very well i had it for 3 months now she is taking of nice chacter i try to wear it very often..........the color is dark seal brown........good luck on your jackets keep the peace lol...

 

[TarHeel1911]

Atticus:

I'm not a native North Carolinian, but would love to live there some day. We're priced out of the housing market here in So Cal, and would love to live in a smaller community. We made 2 exploratory trips to the Triangle a couple of years ago, and fell in love with the area.

On a personal level, I felt a real affinity for the area and the people when I was there. You have a grace which my (current) part of the world lacks. I'm just a Scots-Irish boy from Montana, and get overwhelmed by Southern California sometimes. Just really felt connected and at home there. We won't move there and whine that it's not LA-I promise!

As for the "1911" part, that's from a long time in pistol shooting competition, particularly with Mr. Browning's masterpiece.

 

[SamReu]

Spokes Man

Gosh, TarHeel, I just had to reply when you said salubrious things about my home state! I was raised there, just on the eastern (read that: tobacco country) edge of the Triangle area. Educated at that university, too. Most of my family is still there. Whenever I see the term "Tar Heel" -- it derives from a Civil War tale, as does just about every enduring legend in the South -- I always do a double-take.

To the point: the A-2 should be treated your uncle's '53 3100 half-ton: abused, banged, periodically put up wet.

 

[Jacob Dubow]

Hi there Tarheel-----another "newbee" like me!

Regarding your 1911 comment. I love'm too. Currently I have a WWII manufacture 1911A1 made by Ithaca, a 1970's era Combat Commander, a full size Colt Combat Government and I am in the process of saving up to buy a Springfield Custom Shop target model with a "Bomar" adjustable rear.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Atticus:

I'm not a native North Carolinian, but would love to live there some day. We're priced out of the housing market here in So Cal, and would love to live in a smaller community. We made 2 exploratory trips to the Triangle a couple of years ago, and fell in love with the area.

On a personal level, I felt a real affinity for the area and the people when I was there. You have a grace which my (current) part of the world lacks. I'm just a Scots-Irish boy from Montana, and get overwhelmed by Southern California sometimes. Just really felt connected and at home there. We won't move there and whine that it's not LA-I promise!

As for the "1911" part, that's from a long time in pistol shooting competition, particularly with Mr. Browning's masterpiece.

Hi Tarheel1911,

Thank you for your comments about North Carolina---I quite agree with you. I have to say, you have excellent taste in both states and in handguns. But if you are seeking a less expensive way of life, you should not postpone your move here any longer. I'm afraid that the reasonable cost of living we once enjoyed in North Carolina is very rapidly disappearing. And, sadly, I despair that as we become increasingly more metropolitan, much of the grace you observed is disappearing, as well.

So don't tarry.

Atticus

 

[Peacoat]

Glad to hear there are other "1911" fans on the board. Best pistol ever made, in my opinion. Used to carry one until the need for something lighter won out over tradition and performance (and no, I didn't go to a Glock!).

I have two of them: a Combat Commander, and a full size Springfield, both extremely reliable and accurate, with a gentle squeeze of the trigger.

If you look closely under my left arm in my avatar, you will see the butt of Mr. Browning's work of art.