Dudleydoright
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 408
- Location
- UK
I imagine that the debate of an authentic repro has been had but I've not yet come across it. It seems to be many things to many people and each seems to think that his corruption of the word is the true one.
To me a repro is a repro and an original is authentic and an authentic repro is actually a contradiction in terms.
So, I'm interested in hearing what people think constitutes an authentic repro. It could apply to many things but perhaps the most annually ( ) retentive collectors seem to be the ones connected to A-2's and so I'm aiming it at them (and me as someone who has several and has had many more repro A-2's) ......
Is the appearance more authentic than the components ? Can a jacket that looks right (in someone's opinion) still be authentic if the hides come from Japan where the original jackets were being worn whilst bombing said country ? Must all the components come from the Good Ol' U.S of A to make an authentic jacket or can it's parts come from anywhere ?
Can ANY jacket made to measure be considered authentic ? Or should exact patterns be used to have a period sizing regardless of modern bodyshapes ?
Must the stitch count be within + or - 1 stitch per inch to be considered correct and must the thread itself be 100% cotton ?
Must the hide be horse even if modern steer gives a better appearance than modern horse ? Should the horse be range / wild rather than domestic and have had as hard a life as a 1940's horse ?
Must the zipper be made on the same type of press as a period one in the same way that the hide ought (?) to made tanned using the original methods and chemicals (be they banned or otherwise) ?
A lot of these details are dealt with by the various repro makers but rarely are they all included . Eastman may use US hides but makes the jackets in the UK. Good Wear makes his jackets in the US but his hides are coming from Japan. RMNZ ...... well, they are made in New Zealand and Real McCoys are from Japan.
Most modern repros are better made than their originals. Should that be ??
Should jacket afficianados have a points tally for each little thing and see if the total for their jacket allows them to use the word 'authentic' ? And thus generate THE most authentic A-2 ?
Does it really matter ? No, not to me and not to 99.99999% of the population. I have reached the point where I have a jacket that satisfies me personally, but I am curious to hear what makes a good repro and has the pinnacle now been reached ? And by whom ? And how could it get even better ? I start to get the feeling that as a marketing ploy, rather like with cars, the so-called ultimate repro could be made right now but then what would that do to demand ? Once you had bought one, would you then sell it on to fund the next 'most authentic' repro ? This is oft skirted around but never dealt with head on for some reason. It's also a moving target as repro makers keep upping their game.
We are now at a point where some repros cost more than the originals. Understandable if you want new and the convenience of not searching for it. But where will it all end ?
The floor is open to views from all comers ................. but remember, I am not asking for a particular name here folks, we are talking about generalities !!!
To me a repro is a repro and an original is authentic and an authentic repro is actually a contradiction in terms.
So, I'm interested in hearing what people think constitutes an authentic repro. It could apply to many things but perhaps the most annually ( ) retentive collectors seem to be the ones connected to A-2's and so I'm aiming it at them (and me as someone who has several and has had many more repro A-2's) ......
Is the appearance more authentic than the components ? Can a jacket that looks right (in someone's opinion) still be authentic if the hides come from Japan where the original jackets were being worn whilst bombing said country ? Must all the components come from the Good Ol' U.S of A to make an authentic jacket or can it's parts come from anywhere ?
Can ANY jacket made to measure be considered authentic ? Or should exact patterns be used to have a period sizing regardless of modern bodyshapes ?
Must the stitch count be within + or - 1 stitch per inch to be considered correct and must the thread itself be 100% cotton ?
Must the hide be horse even if modern steer gives a better appearance than modern horse ? Should the horse be range / wild rather than domestic and have had as hard a life as a 1940's horse ?
Must the zipper be made on the same type of press as a period one in the same way that the hide ought (?) to made tanned using the original methods and chemicals (be they banned or otherwise) ?
A lot of these details are dealt with by the various repro makers but rarely are they all included . Eastman may use US hides but makes the jackets in the UK. Good Wear makes his jackets in the US but his hides are coming from Japan. RMNZ ...... well, they are made in New Zealand and Real McCoys are from Japan.
Most modern repros are better made than their originals. Should that be ??
Should jacket afficianados have a points tally for each little thing and see if the total for their jacket allows them to use the word 'authentic' ? And thus generate THE most authentic A-2 ?
Does it really matter ? No, not to me and not to 99.99999% of the population. I have reached the point where I have a jacket that satisfies me personally, but I am curious to hear what makes a good repro and has the pinnacle now been reached ? And by whom ? And how could it get even better ? I start to get the feeling that as a marketing ploy, rather like with cars, the so-called ultimate repro could be made right now but then what would that do to demand ? Once you had bought one, would you then sell it on to fund the next 'most authentic' repro ? This is oft skirted around but never dealt with head on for some reason. It's also a moving target as repro makers keep upping their game.
We are now at a point where some repros cost more than the originals. Understandable if you want new and the convenience of not searching for it. But where will it all end ?
The floor is open to views from all comers ................. but remember, I am not asking for a particular name here folks, we are talking about generalities !!!