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BK Roughwear 23380 Seal Liberty A-2 REVIEW

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,339
Location
UK
BK Roughwear 23380
Seal Liberty horsehide with medium brown knit and thread. I like the olive drab thread also, but I think medium brown is more authentic for this model.
bk-rw23380-42l-012-jpg.36195

Received this jacket a few months ago and have worn it on and off, as much as possible. This is a great jacket!
bk-rw23380-42l-013-jpg.36196

Probably my favourite Roughwear repro of all time (and I've had a FEW beauts!) It fits perfectly and to my eye at least, drapes and fits, like a WW2 A-2 should.
bk-rw23380-42l-009-jpg.36198

I have never seen an original 23380 in person, but I have seen other original RWs. I do know that BK has at least one original in their collection, and have tried to copy the details meticulously. To my eye, BK have nailed the 23380 perfectly.
bk-rw23380-42l-006-jpg.36200

Size is a 42 long (a bit more to the sleeves). At 5’11 72kgs/ 158 pounds, 40” chest and athletic build, this jacket is how I want an A-2 to fit.
I’ll call this a ‘classic’ WW2 fit, with a wee bit of room for a light layer. Not super trim, not at all baggy. Perfect lengths for me, so when I lift my arms, the cuffs don’t ride up to my elbows (also accounts for some loss of length, due to creasing over time).
bk-rw23380-42l-002-jpg.36204

Measurements (approx):
SHOULDERS - 18”
PIT TO PIT FRONT - 22”
PIT TO PIT BACK - 22.25”
SLEEVE, from shoulder to end of cuff - 26.5”
BACK LENGTH - 25.75”
bk-rw23380-42l-007-jpg.36201

I'm a big fan of BK's Liberty horsehide. One thing that frustrated me, was that I could not find a repro that was the same mid-brown chocolatey colour of so many originals I've seen (examples of originals RWs below). Generally find darker browns, or reddy seal browns, besides the russet shades.
rw-originals-jpg.36197

Here, BK's Seal Liberty hits a home run! I love the colour and the grain/ character is outstanding. This mid-brown hue, appears just like of so many WW2 original A-2's I seen.
bk-rw23380-42l-011-jpg.36212

The hide simply oozes grain, and even though its still to be broken in properly, it already exhibits tons of character. This jacket is going to look incredible in a few years time!
bk-rw23380-42l-008-jpg.36213

Knits are nice and tight, and feel more robust than some other top-tier makers. Its hard to accurately show knit colour in the pics. This mid-brown knit matches the seal Liberty very well, ( I also like the slightly darker WW2 brown kit. Both appear WW2-accurate).
bk-rw23380-42l-004-jpg.36203

Talon Zipper, although not a original dead stock M-40 ‘Sunray’ Talon, is still a Talon and more than up to the job.
Stitching is impeccable, and workmanship is top notch.
bk-rw23380-42l-005-jpg.36199

I'll be holding on to this one. After numerous high-end repro A-2s; GWs, ELCs, etc… can honestly say, BK’s jackets are right up there with any of the above. These jackets come second to none!
bk-rw23380-42l-010-jpg.36211

Thanks!
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,465
Location
Illinois
Nice indeed! I do like the color. The leather does look quite grainy. I've had three Liberty jackets. They are rather different than your jacket.
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,339
Location
UK
Thanks all! Yes, super happy. From years of arse-farting around with A-2s, I've finally nailed it.
In fact, I have 3 BKs, this RW23380, and 2 Dubows (one will be moved on, the keeper has a touch more length)...
All of these are seal Liberty and exhibit the same grain and character overall. Considering a russet to round off...
 

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