L. L. Bean A-2 history time line?

[Juanito]

"...-in fact I wish I still had it from a utility standpoint. I gave it up when I discovered Avirex and bought one of their MacArthur horsehide A-2's for $355 in 1989.

Well, that didn't take long...picked up this undated L.L. Bean Thinsulate A-2 from eBay for best offer of $62.45 shipped: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201457942967?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It is nearly identical to the one I bought in 1987 when I was in college. It is one size larger (20 lbs will do that to you), USA made, one piece back, same tag (non-Flying Tigers), brass zipper, same feel and finish to the goatskin and wool cuffs. The only thing that is different is the color cloth inside the pockets (this one is more brown whereas mine from 1987 was gray), and that the zipper on this one is a brass YKK as opposed to the Scoville; and I don't remember the large, almost faux, stand collar attachment. Mine most likely had it, I just don't remember.

The thing is essentially NOS with no evidence of wear. It is a very high quality jacket, with excellent stitching, symmetrical epaulets, and quality as was expected of L.L. Bean in that era.

Although the jacket is a 42 instead of a 40, the 501 Levi's are a 35" instead of the 32," the Dexter loafers still fit and putting all that on puts me right back to the 1980's chasing sorority girls at Oregon State--a bargain at twice the price.

 

[Banzai]

I've seen some of these on e-bay; older ones with a one-piece back, made in the USA. A couple are a "Flying Tigers" version with what appears to be a "distressed" or faded finish to the goat. Thoughts on that finish?

 

[Ralph_Phillips]

I've seen some of these on e-bay; older ones with a one-piece back, made in the USA. A couple are a "Flying Tigers" version with what appears to be a "distressed" or faded finish to the goat. Thoughts on that finish?

Most of the jackets made with distressed or artificially aged leather just look wrong up close, unless of course it was done by whoever aged Indiana Jones' movie jacket. Real wear/age via actual use though looks great.

 

[Roninja]

View attachment 11544

This Golden Bear advertising page from the LL Bean catalog shows jackets in the S-M-L-XL sizes; I don't think it's 1978 (as claimed "circa 1978") since the older jackets were numerically sized (42, 44, 46, etc). Unless of course they changed to the lettered, generic sizes from 1978 onwards?

This is from the 1990s. I know that for a fact because my college dorm used to be swamped by LL Bean catalogs, esp. during Christmas. Back then, the jackets were made from original WWII patterns but were loose and comfortable to wear. In fact, they were made military issue with the addition of hand warmer pockets and an inside breast pocket (which weren't available in the original military issue until 2000). Now, their jackets suck and look like a cheap import which you can get at Burlington's for under $100.

 

[kojax]

i think ll bean does not make the jacket anymore

 

[regius]

The real sheeplined A2 with real mouton is a real nice jacket for the average wearer looking for warmth, quality and luxury.

 

[Dahlan Netsch]

Got a new jacket. Can't believe these are considered a "cheap" repro. I bought it cheap but there's nothing cheap about it. Anyway, did a search but couldn't find anything about how to date these jackets by physical characteristics. Before anyone suggests it, the tag in the right pocket has worn off so I don't know when it was made. I think it's an old one. Got me thinking about characteristics of these jackets through time. This my second LL Bean A2 and has the one piece back, actual jacket size 44 and the tag has 100 percent leather and made in USA but nothing about imported leather. My other Bean A2 has the 3 piece back, size 44, made in USA out of imported leather, dated 1991 on the pocket tag. Did a search of ebay and this is how I see them relatively from older to younger:

One piece back, 100 percent leather, made in USA, actual jacket size

One piece back, 100 percent out of imported leather, made in USA, actual jacket size

Read somewhere there is supposed to be a two piece back but I couldn't find one to verify

3 piece back, 100 percent out of imported leather, made in USA,actual jacket size

3 piece back, 100 percent out of imported leather, made in USA,sm, med, L, XL sizes

3 piece back made in turkey

If someone else already has Figured this out then please let me know. Any comment, opinions, knowledge would be appreciated. Yeah, I know I need to get a life. Thanks!

L.

I bought a couple LLB military leather jackets in the 80s but no longer wear them because of the "over-sized" shoulders and fit in the arms. LLB, like most companies follow the style of the day and change their patterns to the prevailing styles. Using this as a general guide, you can often times figure out when they were made. Too bad because they were made much better in previous decades.