Steve McColgan Clothing Co.

[Xopher]

I keep sing Steve McColgan Clothing Co. A2's all over ebay that see to be pretty nice from what I can tell from the mediocre picture provided but Im not too sure. Does anybody have one of these. Where do you buy them new? Thoughts and opinions? Anybody have some pictures and information on them. Thanks all

 

[Matt Deckard]

I have one that I'm just starting to break in. I'll post pics when I get a shot to pose it. I love the high armholes.

 

[zhz]

The new one is available at SMWHOLESALEUSE, http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/a2-jacket

 

[morrison2951]

I have heard good things about McColgan A-2's.

 

[Edward]

Sub £300 GBP... Looks like a nice jacket.

 

[Brettafett]

I recently purchased one in chocolate. First impressions, its a GREAT jacket for the price, good quality and feel. Hell it compares favorably with the 'premium' jackets I have owned.
Its not a stitch-for-stitch, inch-for-inch accurate, contract specific pattern, although it has all the authentic detailing.
I went a size down to a 38L (from the usual 40), as I am a trim bloke.
I will post some more pics and a more detailed review soon.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Those images aren't showing up.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

They are for me...
HD

 

[Matt Deckard]

I take it back, I can see them now.

 

[Smithy]

Matt and Brett, those look absolutely superb. Nice to see a new good mid range offering.

Look forward to the review Brett, I'm a sucker for seal A-2s.

 

[Brettafett]

Matt and Brett, those look absolutely superb. Nice to see a new good mid range offering.
Look forward to the review Brett, I'm a sucker for seal A-2s.

No worries. I will tell you that the steerhide is nice too, seems to have some character. I think it will look awesome with some HWT or even just some wearing in.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Sub £300 GBP... Looks like a nice jacket.

Great. Let's face it, it should be possible to get a decently patterned A2 for that money. The bad ones are baggy, it's cheaper to provide a trimmer fit - less leather.

 

[Justhandguns]

Great. Let's face it, it should be possible to get a decently patterned A2 for that money. The bad ones are baggy, it's cheaper to provide a trimmer fit - less leather.

As trim as this?

 

[Seb Lucas]

JHG - what are you talking about? That's way too baggy.

 

[Sloan1874]

As trim as this?
View attachment 14329

The poor posture doesn't help there, otherwise, that might just be fine.

 

[Edward]

Great. Let's face it, it should be possible to get a decently patterned A2 for that money. The bad ones are baggy, it's cheaper to provide a trimmer fit - less leather.

I imagine it depends on the business model. Large production run of a jacket that's reasonably in the ballpark of a period look but without the time-consuming requirement of producing specific quirks of a particular contract, especially if production is based somewhere in the world with lower labour costs than the UK/US/Japan, should make it possible to do that profitably.

Interesting that all the new offering emerging to fill the low to mid-price bracket seem to be seal. Is that an easier shade to get "right" for some reason? Obviously sticking to just the one hue will also help to keep prices down; I'm just curious as to why they choose seal. Maybe it's easier to get because that's current milspec with the 'new' A2?

 

[Matt Deckard]

I think seal is just the go to color for those on this jacket scene. I'm pretty sure most companies open with it thinking that it will be their best moneymaker.

I have the Chestnut and It's quite awesome. As for fit... It's all about the armholes, and these are nice and high.

 

[morrison2951]

I used to be a seal fan myself but with my recent purchase of a cordovan HH Vanson Enfield, I'm beginning to see the way of unique colors.

My wife recently asked me when I got the "cool red jacket!" She hardly notices all of my other jackets in the closet. Ha ha

 

[Brettafett]

I have the Chestnut and It's quite awesome. As for fit... It's all about the armholes, and these are nice and high.

Matt, would be nice to see pics of your jacket, esp comparing the leather and the cuffs colour.

 

[Brettafett]

I guess it depends on who you are looking at. SMW offers three different variations, G&B at least 2 in HH and a goatskin, Aerialstar has two, US A has a few also.... etc. And they all seem to have different suppliers.

I agree though, that it should be possible to make a decent A-2 for this price. A pattern is a pattern...
How about sourcing and copying three original WW2 jacket patterns that are all slightly different, (a trim pattern, a fuller pattern and something else unusual), then making them up with steerhide in two tones, seal and russet, one knit colour, generic components, basic lengthening options then offering them up for around $500...

There a couple who are trying, http://qmi.be/a2-flight-jacket-horsehide-leather.html (looks a bit like a Monarch?) and What Price Glory (http://ww2-reenactor.com/shopexd.asp?id=5467&bc=no)...

That said, for the price, SMW's A-2 is a winner, easily comparable to my ELCs (pre 2006) and Aeros (2002 to present)...