You are bidding on an ORIGINAL WW2 NAMED A-2 USAAF FLIGHT JACKET by the J. A. DUBOW MANUFACTURING Co. of CHICAGO I picked this up at an estate auction a few years ago. The Auctioneer wouldn't tell anything about the family, But a crew photo was included with the Flight Jacket. The photo looks like it might be a photocopy to me, but I'm not sure. Anyway it is included. Unfortunately the auctioneer did not know which airman was Mr. Baker. He must have been one of the officer's because the enlisted signed thier pics.
The horsehide leather on this A-2 is absolutely great. All stitching is very solid and all hardware present and in excellent working order. The zipper has its original TALON marked zipper which works nice and smooth with no teeth missing.
As usual with these jackets, the knits have not held out well. Both wrist knits are damaged and look like the photo. They can be easily replaced or not, whatever the buyer decides.The waist knit is in relatively good shape. There are a few very small moth holes and there is a section about 12" long on the back of the jacket, where the knit meets the leather that is starting to fray. I'm sure this could be easily sewed as there is no actual seperation from the leather either outside or inside the liner.No patches have ever been applied to this jacket other than the original name tag which reads W.F Baker. The label is of course original to the jacket and has obviously never been removed. The tag is a size 42 and I found another attached size tag 42 in the right pocket.
The jacket has the following measurements: Armpit to Armpit - 21"/Sleeves from shoulder seam to end of cuff -24.5"/Length Front Epaulets to bottom of waist knit - 23" /Shoulder to Shoulder Back 17" /Length down the back from bottom of collar -23".
The lining is original and has the USAAF stamp below the label and what I assume is a laundry number above the tag (see photo). The leather "finger carry" strap is frayed but still intact and very sturdy.
There are a few small tears inside the lining that I'll describe. One is a 7" seperation between the leather and lining directly above the "finger carry" strap. Apparently caused by carrying it that way. There are two small tears about 1/2" & 1" long in the lining where you would start to put your arm into the sleeve. About 10 extremely small "moth" type holes running in a line at the very bottom of the lining along the waist knit line. Once again a simple fix with needle and thread, if it is desired. All in all the liner is not perfect but in very good condition. I would rank it a 7.5 on a scale of 10.
This is a no reserve auction. The shirt and tie in the photo on the manniquin are not included in this auction.
FREE SURFACE SHIPPING!!! I give a 7 day inspection period. If the item is not as I described, you may return it for your purchase price (minus PAYPAL and return shipping fees) I will ship worldwide. Insurance is mandatory for overseas buyers and will be calculated on the final price of the auction. I must declare full value on the customs tags. Insurance is optional but recommended for North American buyers however, I won't take responsibility for damage or misdelivery, if you choose not to have the package insured.
High Bidder to pay within 7 days by PAYPAL for this auction. I will contact the high bidder after the auction and inform you about the insurance costs after I have confirmed with the Post Office. It will take an extra day before I can send the high bidder an invoice Should you desire to see some more pictures, I have taken a few more that I can provide. Send me with your email address and I can attach a few other views. Please ask all questions prior to bidding. Good Luck.
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