Good Wear Leather Coat Company: Sale J.A. Dubow Combat Clone 23379 A-2 Flight Jacket

This item has been sold.
J.A. Dubow 23379 Type A-2 Flight Jacket
Price: $1249.00 ("Combat Clone") — note shipping costs below
Fit: this jacket has comfortable fit in the correct size
Leather: russet veg-tanned Italian horsehide
Lining: correct pale orange-color cotton
Knits: mid-brown wool
Snaps: vintage United-Carr Anzos in pockets
Thread: thin dark brown cotton
Zipper: reproduction M-41 Kwik with vintage Kwik slider
Size: 46

We have a large size 46 return "Combat Clone" Type A-2, made with Italian horsehide. This jacket has been sewn to look as if made in a factory in haste, with slightly wonky stitching. Most originals are sewn quite well for the speed in which they were made, but the human element is present. A Good Wear Combat Clone jacket reproduces this effect, both in sewing, and sometimes in aging the leather. This one does not have aging of the leather, but anyone wearing the jacket regularly will acheive this effect, too. Reproduction jackets can look too sterile with perfect stitching, and this is a fun way to have a jacket that really emulates a new original from 1941.

The pockets in particular are identical to an original jacket which we owned previously. That jacket, a size 44 Dubow 20960, can be seen below. The customer requested those exact pocket shapes, down to a slightly uneven placement of one pocket flap. Also, the hides were chosen to have uneven grain structure where panel meets panel, with smooth and grain hides.

The 23379 A-2 contract was Dubow's second, and an interesting one. The first half of the contract was made just like the earlier 20960 jackets, but the Army Air Corps changed name to the Army Air Forces. Half way throught the contract, Dubow was told to place an adendum label below the main label stating that the jacket was property of the Army Air Forces, as all flying clothing from this branch should be marked. While doing this, Dubow asked if the collar stand could be removed and a simple collar applied, which was approved, so jackets with this added property label also have a simple collar. Dubow continued to the simple collar shape for the next two contracts after the 23379 contract.

This jacket has a roomy, comfortable fit. The bigger Dubows are known for having roomy sleeves. Though the shoulder breath may seem a little small for the size, the larger sleeve tops make up for this, so the jacket is quite comfortable. Originals of this contract were made in a russet color, and some of a darker russet color as this one has. Our lining fabric is identical to what Dubow used, in color and weight. Notice the artistic pull tab on the vintage Kwik slider. This pull tab was used on some 23379 originals, as were Crown zippers.

The jacket would ideally fit someone in the range of 5'11" to 6'2", with a chest of 42" to 44", and a weight of about 185-210 pounds. The jacket is shown with a wearer who is 6 feet tall with a 41.5" chest, and a weight of 178 pounds. Someone slightly larger will fill a jacket of this size.