Pre- WW2 Wool A-1 Spearhead Militaria

[Dr H]

That's good to hear Jeff, the inaccuracies aren't glaring (I'm not sure whether the originals ever had 2-piece backs, but it looks in keeping).
The proportions look odd with the long/wide sleeves, but an easy fix.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Dr H]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/261188744529?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Ian
Possibly an actual original wool A1 on Ebay

Cam

Hi Cam
Good call, that one looked straight.
Interesting to see the similarities/differences to the Buzz and Spearhead products. No labels mentioned, so I wonder whether these had been deliberately removed after the war. It looks well used, but the shell is surprisingly good condition (no moth mentioned).
Cheers
Ian

 

[djgo-cat-go]

Dr H.. you have a 44inch A1 right? would you be so kind to measure the sleeves from shoulder to cuff? and if it's not too much trouble, measure shoulder to shoulder as well?

Thanks a lot,
Diego

That's good to hear Jeff, the inaccuracies aren't glaring (I'm not sure whether the originals ever had 2-piece backs, but it looks in keeping).
The proportions look odd with the long/wide sleeves, but an easy fix.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Dr H]

Dr H.. you have a 44inch A1 right? would you be so kind to measure the sleeves from shoulder to cuff? and if it's not too much trouble, measure shoulder to shoulder as well?

Thanks a lot,
Diego

Certainly Diego, yes it is a 44.
I'm awaiting the arrival of the Spearhead, but will post images and dimensions as soon as I have it in hand.
I have capeskin A-1s from Good Wear and Eastman, but is it the woollen jacket that interests you?
Cheers
Ian

 

[djgo-cat-go]

Certainly Diego, yes it is a 44.
I'm awaiting the arrival of the Spearhead, but will post images and dimensions as soon as I have it in hand.
I have capeskin A-1s from Good Wear and Eastman, but is it the woollen jacket that interests you?
Cheers
Ian

Sorry for the confusion, yes it is the woollen spearhead jacket i'm interested in.

Thx,
Diego

 

[Dr H]

No problem Diego, as soon as it arrives.
Cheers
Ian

 

[fleet16b]

Ian
Would be geat to see some picture oof you wearing the Spearhead to go along with those measurements

Cam

 

[Dr H]

OK Cam, will see what I can do.
Cheers
Ian

 

[Foster]

I bought a few items from Spearhead a few years back, had some issues with the quality both in garment construction (one cuff sewn on backwards) and sizing (bought one size, wanted one smaller, bought the smaller size and the only difference to the first larger size was the label -they were identical apart from the size label!). I've not had any interest in doing business with them again. Your mileage may vary, but I am just trying to warn of a possible pothole in the road.

 

[Dr H]

Thanks for the heads up. I've had a good experience in terms of quality. I bought a used woollen A-1, but in a 42" (too snug) - the quality of materials and construction is good and my eldest son now has it.
Can't speak for fit of the 44" yet, but I think that the sleeves look relatively long and full (and are likely to need tailoring).
Cheers
Ian

 

[Dr H]

Jacket has just arrived. First impressions very favourable. A trim 44, but a good fit. Quality of construction looks fine. Images and dimensions to follow.

 

[Dr H]

The basic dimensions (44) are:
Pit to pit 23"
Sleeves 25"
Shoulders 19"
Yoke 19.5"
Front length 22.5"
Back length 25"
Odd quirk (showing that the machinist hasn't handled an A-1) - the pencil pocket is stitched on the shell, but doesn't go through to lining, making it cosmetic. I'm going to remove the stitching anyway as it doesn't appear on originals.

A quick comparison with some other 1920s/1930s buttoned jackets.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Joel, unless your horse was wearing a sweater you can rest easy this A-1 is woollen ;-)
Quality of this product is also perfectly acceptable.

They also make horsehide jackets.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

I've encountered a whole range of Chinese goods that are indeed world class.... the place only has a poor reputation for quality because they are perfectly willing to produce the low quality rubbish that the Western market demands. [huh]

Those products were probably made in China for Western companies. I've yet to buy a Chinese-made product from a Chinese company that wasn't complete garbage.

 

[Edward]

Those products were probably made in China for Western companies. I've yet to buy a Chinese-made product from a Chinese company that wasn't complete garbage.

[huh] My experience has been very different, but then I was buying in China, not exports.

 

[Dr H]

Interestingly, I've just been in touch with the company to give feedback on the jacket and have been told that a civvy version with leather sleeves will be available in May.

 

[Dr H]

Incidentally, does anybody know what this woollen jacket is really called?
Often called an 'A-1', but I can't believe that it is the same as the leather flight jacket. Is it even an USAAC/USAAF jacket at all, rather than an army garment? Here's an original:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.ca/viewitem?itemId=261188744529
Thanks
Ian

 

[Sloan1874]

Lovely colour. Sort of a heather mix.

 

[bretron]

Ian, awesome jacket, and just in time for summer

From what I have been able to muster, these are Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cold weather jackets...

 

[Dr H]

Thanks for the info Bret, I wasn't aware of the CCC.
Fortunately still cold enough to wear it here (hovering near zero), but for how much longer?