Request Help in Identifying the maker of this A-1 Capeskin Flight Jacket

[kalev]

Hello,
I have had this jacket for 5 years now and am the second owner. I have always been curious about the maker. It looks like a Bill Kelso to me, but I welcome the opinions of you experts out there...Aero, Goodwear Leather, Kelso, Eastman...?? Thanks in advance and best,
S

 

[ButteMT61]

Details do not look like a GW.
See here:
http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/gwtypea1_images2.html

 

[kalev]

Details do not look like a GW.
See here:
http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/gwtypea1_images2.html

thank you!

 

[willyto]

I don't think it's Aero, their pockets are way bigger and the label looks different.

 

[AdeeC]

Not a 100% sure but I believe Good Wear may have tried out a few variations of this jacket in the past. Could also be made by Norshor's Mark Fisher. That reptilian cape skin looks like the type used by both a while back.

 

[ButteMT61]

Maybe DD? The naked edges look like some that JC did, but the other details like missing size tag, inner buttons, etc. don't match.

 

[AdeeC]

A comparison of the label used by Good Wear and Kalev's jacket. Both are identical in every detail. I know Mark Fisher sourced his capeskin from John Chapman a while back and I believe he does not put size labels in his jackets. I have two of them with no size labels including one made of identical capeskin. So I am reasonably confident it was made by either.

 

[Dr H]

View attachment 65019 View attachment 65018 A comparison of the label used by Good Wear and Kalev's jacket. Both are identical in every detail. I know Mark Fisher sourced his capeskin from John Chapman a while back and I believe he does not put size labels in his jackets. I have two of them.

I agree - looks like Norshor, I don't believe that it's a GW (collar details different too).

 

[AdeeC]

I agree - looks like Norshor, I don't believe that it's a GW (collar details different too).

Yes the colar details appear identical to a Norshor I own. Mark Fisher may have sourced both the cape skin and label from John Chapman.

 

[kalev]

Thank You All, I thought perhaps, an early Bill Kelspo. The white buttons, snaps, stitching on arms and lining are all similar, though example in photo has size tag: http://www.billkelsomfg.com/store/en.php?p=productview&prod=5

 

[kirkaero]

Well it's definitely not Eastman. I know that Buzz rickson's , Good Wear, and RMNZ/FEW all use the 3 piece sleeves. I like the Norshor theory, because the leather does look like a GW.

 

[ButteMT61]

Here's some of JC's A-1s.
Note that 1927 has those edges' etc.

http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/Type_A1_42/
http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/Type_A1_1927/
http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/New_Type_A1_Jacket/

 

[AdeeC]

Thank You All, I thought perhaps, an early Bill Kelspo. The white buttons, snaps, stitching on arms and lining are all similar, though example in photo has size tag: http://www.billkelsomfg.com/store/en.php?p=productview&prod=5

You could be right. The Label is also identical to yours and GW's. We have to find out if BK used the same capeskin which is not common.

 

[kalev]

Mystery solved! John at goodwearleather.com very kindly answered my inquiry and confirmed this was one of Mark's jackets at Norshor. Thanks to all for taking the time to give your input. My very best,
Steve

 

[kalev]

thanks, ossteve@yahoo.com