Need Help Identifying This WWII A-2 Flight Jacket (Possible Original?)

[yas.f]

Hello everyone,


I recently acquired this A-2 flight jacket and I’m trying to determine whether it is an original WWII jacket or a later reproduction.


Here are some details:

• Label reads:
  • TYPE A-2
  • DWG. NO. 30-1415
  • ORDER NO. W535-AC-57115
• TALON zipper (Made in U.S.A.)
• Dot snap buttons
• Leather hanging loop
• Leather is still in very good condition because it has been regularly conditioned with proper leather oil for many years.
• The knit cuffs are damaged, but the waistband is still present.
• Original leather squadron patch on the chest.
• Painted Army Air Forces insignia remains on the shoulder.

What makes me curious is that I cannot find a manufacturer’s name anywhere on the jacket.


I’m hoping someone here can help identify:

1. Whether the label is authentic or a reproduction.
2. Which WWII contractor/manufacturer it most closely resembles.
3. Whether the zipper, collar shape, pocket shape, snaps, and stitching appear consistent with an original wartime A-2.
4. Whether the leather appears to be horsehide or goatskin.
5. An approximate market value if it is determined to be original.

I’ve attached detailed photos of the label, zipper, collar, pockets, shoulder artwork, lining, and overall jacket.


Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you very much!

 

[Harris HTM]

Read this about the a2 contracts:
https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...army-air-forces’-leather-flying-jacket.35493/
Judging from the spec label I would say repro. Definitely not goatskin.
Ask the fellows at the vlj forum, they are experts

 

[yas.f]

Read this about the a2 contracts:
https://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/the-mighty-a-2-a-guide-to-the-army-air-forces’-leather-flying-jacket.35493/
Judging from the spec label I would say repro. Definitely not goatskin.
Ask the fellows at the vlj forum, they are experts

Thank you very much for your reply and for the link.

I really appreciate your opinion.

Could you please tell me which part of the spec label makes you think it is a reproduction?

I would really like to learn what details stand out to experienced collectors.

Also, thank you for recommending the VLJ forum. I may post there as well.

Thanks again!

 

[Harris HTM]

Could you please tell me which part of the spec label makes you think it is a reproduction?

Unless I am mistaken there is no such wartime order number and manufacturer's name. Also I think that newer versions of the a2, after 1988 have a different code system, consistent with the DLA system.
If I had to make a bet I would say a recent repro artificially aged to look as a wartime one. But I am no expert, I would definitely ask VLJ.

 

[yas.f]

Unless I am mistaken there is no such wartime order number and manufacturer's name. Also I think that newer versions of the a2, after 1988 have a different code system, consistent with the DLA system.
If I had to make a bet I would say a recent repro artificially aged to look as a wartime one. But I am no expert, I would definitely ask VLJ.

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain your thoughts. I really appreciate your help. I’ll ask the experts over at the VLJ forum as you suggested and see what they think. Thanks again!

 

[RDS]

Could well be wrong but think it’s a copy which has been aged deliberately, presumably to try and increase the value or snag the unwary.
Firstly, it was the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and although I believe ‘AirForce US Army’ was found on some labels these also included the name of the manufacturer.
Also, the white ‘Army Air Force’ stamp on the liner doesn’t seem right. These inspector’s weren’t white, the design is wrong and it’s far too large

 

[yas.f]

Could well be wrong but think it’s a copy which has been aged deliberately, presumably to try and increase the value or snag the unwary.
Firstly, it was the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) and although I believe ‘AirForce US Army’ was found on some labels these also included the name of the manufacturer.
Also, the white ‘Army Air Force’ stamp on the liner doesn’t seem right. These inspector’s weren’t white, the design is wrong and it’s far too large

Thank you very much for your detailed observations. I appreciate you pointing out the issues with the label and the liner stamp. I’ll also ask the experts on the VLJ forum and compare their opinions. Thanks again!

 

[Harris HTM]

think it’s a copy which has been aged deliberately, presumably to try and increase the value or snag the unwary.

This is also what I suspect, especially with the botched collar.

 

[RDS]

Thank you very much for your detailed observations. I appreciate you pointing out the issues with the label and the liner stamp. I’ll also ask the experts on the VLJ forum and compare their opinions. Thanks again!

As said previously I could well be mistaken, however if anyone will know for sure it’ll be those over at the VLJ forum.
Collectively there’s probably no-one else who knows more about wartime A-2 jackets (and later ones such as the G-1) than their members.
They can often tell the maker of a jacket from just the shape of the collar, pocket flaps or the size and position of the epaulettes, so if a label has been added into a different jacket they will be able to point that out.They will also be able to tell you how many jackets of a particular contract a specific manufacturer produced.

 

[raf]

Examine the supplied pic of the painted-on Captain's bars. in between the Bars, there are two small perforations similar in size to those created by the stitching needle. These perforations are in the correct location and are about the right size for attaching a (single) 1st Lieutenant's Bar. I've never before seen painted-on Captain's bars, but I don't see everything, either.

From supplied pix, leather at fold of collar appears to have some damage.

Other points, such as white circled wings emblem on surface of lining, and some of the wording of the Mfr's label may be "troublesome". Finish wear on zipper pull indicates significant use. Concur with VLJ suggestion above; I defer to experts at VLJ, but if this jacket is a Repro, its certainty is a well-used one. You might also look up how to measure a jacket like this on VLJ site, and post measurements-- read this thread for how to take jacket measurements: https://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/how-to-measure-a-jacket-correctly-tutorial.15194/

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Unless I am mistaken there is no such wartime order number and manufacturer's name. Also I think that newer versions of the a2, after 1988 have a different code system, consistent with the DLA system.
If I had to make a bet I would say a recent repro artificially aged to look as a wartime one. But I am no expert, I would definitely ask VLJ.

You are absolutely correct. The spec label, hardware, stamps are all not consistent with any original contract.

The triple marked Talon looks to be an original zipper, which is a nice addition to the jacket.

I'd be interested to know if Aero (modern day Aero in Scotland, not Beacon, NY), produced house contract jackets with made up drawing numbers. My initial gut reaction was that the jacket was an older Aero or Sefton, but the spec label and hardware isn't consistent with any Sefton jackets that I've seen before.