Fadetoblack88
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 88
- Location
- Wichita, ks
I've had my russet steerhide A-2 for about 9 months now, and I thought I would post an update and pictures of it for anyone curious about the SMW A-2. Its only been cold enough to wear it for about 6 months here, but I practically lived in it during this time.
It started out a little lighter shade then it is now and very uniform in color. And it was very smooth, almost no discernable graining. That has since changed. The leather is starting to get good grain, particularly in the collar/sleeves/pocket flap areas. The russet has a nice reddish hue to it under natural light and a bit more brown under artificial lighting. There are darker areas starting form on the leather, sort of like "tigar striping". Its hard to decern from the poor lighting but under the right conditions they are noticible. In the typical wear areas its developing a darker color, almost like a walnut brown. I replaced the brass talon puller with a vintage conmar and had a 34th BS "Doolittle Raiders" bullion patch added. I was too big to wear the jacket when I first received it but have since lost close to 50 LBs and can now fit reasonably ok-ish into it. The more weight I lose the better it will fit. My wife says I look ok in it so that's fine by me . Having said that I will post the measurements if asked. But it's a size 54. That was the biggest it could be made without totally distorting the lines and in keeping it a one piece back I was told. Its a nice big man size and to any big men reading this, yes, its possible to have an A-2 without looking distorted! Its my understanding originals went up to a size 56(?), so this should be within the proper parameters of the classic A-2 look. What does the audience think?
It started out a little lighter shade then it is now and very uniform in color. And it was very smooth, almost no discernable graining. That has since changed. The leather is starting to get good grain, particularly in the collar/sleeves/pocket flap areas. The russet has a nice reddish hue to it under natural light and a bit more brown under artificial lighting. There are darker areas starting form on the leather, sort of like "tigar striping". Its hard to decern from the poor lighting but under the right conditions they are noticible. In the typical wear areas its developing a darker color, almost like a walnut brown. I replaced the brass talon puller with a vintage conmar and had a 34th BS "Doolittle Raiders" bullion patch added. I was too big to wear the jacket when I first received it but have since lost close to 50 LBs and can now fit reasonably ok-ish into it. The more weight I lose the better it will fit. My wife says I look ok in it so that's fine by me . Having said that I will post the measurements if asked. But it's a size 54. That was the biggest it could be made without totally distorting the lines and in keeping it a one piece back I was told. Its a nice big man size and to any big men reading this, yes, its possible to have an A-2 without looking distorted! Its my understanding originals went up to a size 56(?), so this should be within the proper parameters of the classic A-2 look. What does the audience think?
