Vintage Leather A2 Flight Jacket 1980s Willis & Geiger NY Size 42

$225.00

Brand Poppy's Vintage Clothing

This is a vintage leather A2 flight jacket made by Willis & Geiger of New York.  The jacket is based on the World War 2 US air force issue A-2, but there are obviously differences in the materials used - the zipper, the lining and some small construction details.  This jacket is made of goatskin leather with a greyish blue satin rayon lining.  It does up with a heavy duty Scovill brass zipper and a hook and eye at the neck, however the hook is missing.  It has a snap-down shirt type collar, front patch pockets with flaps and knit cuffs and waistband.  

Age: most likely 1980s, possibly 1990s

Label: Type A-2 DWC. No. 30-415 A.C. Contract Order No. M35-098AC. (1631) Property Air Force U.S. Army Willis & Geiger, Inc.  New York, N.Y.  Made in U.S.A. of Imported Leather Lining: 100% Rayon.  Apparently, although Willis & Geiger provided a number of garments to the Air Force and Army during WW2, they never made A-2 jackets, but did provide other flight jackets.  Still, this is meant to be a fairly faithful reproduction of the A-2.  Willis & Geiger was founded in 1902 and produced outdoor clothing and gear for explorers, adventurers and military personnel.  They outfitted Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.

Color: Brown

Sizing: Size 42 is indicated, but please rely on the following measurements for fit, taking the thickness of the leather into consideration:

Shoulders: 20”

Sleeves:  28” including knitted cuffs

Sleeve Inseam:  21”

Chest: 47” around, taken under the arms

Bottom: 36” around the knit, which stretches

Overall length: 26 1/2“, taken at the back from the neck seam to the bottom of the knit

Condition: It is in very good condition with only the aforementioned missing neck hook and the rivet on the right armpit vent is semi-detached - a leather will know the best way to re-secure this.  Otherwise, the leather is showing no signs of wear and the knitting is intact with no wear or tear.  Very clean with no odour - this looks to have seen very little use.

Goatskin was used for these A-2 jackets during WW2, however horsehide or cowhide was much more prevalent due to ruggedness.  Those leathers, however, are weightier, so this goatskin alternative is lighter and more flexible.  Definitely thinner, but still of very good quality.

This A-2 reproduction flight jacket is in great shape - sure to be noticed!