Nakata Shoten A2?

[kliffjumper123]

Hello all, I've recently been looking at purchasing an A-2 and came across this on Buyee:

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/f252324037

I was curious to know what some other peoples thoughts on it are.

 

[GregGale]

Hi,

It doesn't look like a badly constructed jacket, but its proportions are a bit wrong - e.g. the pockets appear to be too large. The collar seems to be a bit strange too, and the epaulet is rather wide. It will come down to the fit, as long as you are not a stitch counter, and it may end up being a great purchase.

This being said, if you are going for a budget A-2, I can't recommend AVI LTHR from Denmark enough. They have a goatskin Bronco, which is modeled after an original contract. Everyone I know who bought one sings praises of it.

 

[kliffjumper123]

Hi,

It doesn't look like a badly constructed jacket, but its proportions are a bit wrong - e.g. the pockets appear to be too large. The collar seems to be a bit strange too, and the epaulet is rather wide. It will come down to the fit, as long as you are not a stitch counter, and it may end up being a great purchase.

This being said, if you are going for a budget A-2, I can't recommend AVI LTHR from Denmark enough. They have a goatskin Bronco, which is modeled after an original contract. Everyone I know who bought one sings praises of it.

I've looked at the AVI LTHR ones and they look great but the only issue is that they don't have any in a 36. But thanks for your help.

 

[Technonut]

Nakata Shoten is the same Japanese military surplus store which sells the Morgan Productions 'Morgan Memphis Belle' jacket line-up. The one pictured in the auction looks to be a cowhide 'house' jacket, and a notch under the Morgan in quality. Personally, I would keep looking until a horsehide Morgan pops up for a good price.

As for the pocket size, most original A-2 makers used the same sized pockets, no matter the size, so the ones on the Nakata Shoten do not look out of proportion for a size 36.. Just imagine the same pockets on a 42-46. Same kind of thing for the epaulets.. For the current price, one certainly wouldn't get hurt on the Nakata Shoten for a decent looking, fairly period accurate A-2, which should look even better with more wear.

 

[kliffjumper123]

Nakata Shoten is the same Japanese military surplus store which sells the Morgan Productions 'Morgan Memphis Belle' jacket line-up. The one pictured in the auction looks to be a cowhide 'house' jacket, and a notch under the Morgan in quality. Personally, I would keep looking until a horsehide Morgan pops up for a good price.

As for the pocket size, most original A-2 makers used the same sized pockets, no matter the size, so the ones on the Nakata Shoten do not look out of proportion for a size 36.. Just imagine the same pockets on a 42-46. Same kind of thing for the epaulets.. For the current price, one certainly wouldn't get hurt on the Nakata Shoten for a decent looking, fairly period accurate A-2, which should look even better with more wear.

Thanks for your help. I was wondering if you knew anything in regards to the epaulets. Compared to most newer jackets, the epaulets are a bit different with that sort of square space in between the stitching as opposed to a longer 'bar'. I own another A2 from Cooper/US Wings and it has the same type of epaulets. Any reason for that?