Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Sale W535-AC-23383 Type A-2 Jacket

This item has been sold.
Good Wear W535-AC-23383 (Fried-Ostermann) A-2 Jacket
Price: $620.00 (used condition) — note shipping costs below
Fit: this pattern is very comfortable in the correct size
Leather: dense veg-tanned aniline finish russet brown goatskin
Thread: mid-brown cotton
Knits: golden brown wool
Pocket snaps: vintage NOS United-Carr Anzos
Zipper: vintage 1941 M-41 blackened brass Talon with NOS Talon slider
Size: 44

This jacket is an exact copy of the contract won by Fried-Ostermann of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This company had an extremely unique pattern and details compared with other A-2 makers. The contract was fulfilled with goatskin, although on their initial bid, the contract stated "cowhide aviator jackets". Every nuance of Ostermann's design has been copied, from the collar stand design, to the pockets and epaulets. Note the unique design of the leather tabs on the waistband. Though unique, the pattern is very comfortable, and it looks sharp when worn.

This is a used jacket, having been worn by John for the last six months (on occasion). The leather is a dense and heavy goatskin, veg-tanned with aniline russet finish. The lining is solid, with some signs of soiling along the edge of the collar. The knits are in superb condition, and the zipper is a vintage M-41 Talon, brass and blackened, which this contract was made with. The zipper was sourced from a sheepskin trouser set. The first half of the zipper in the wind flap suffered a break, so a second half was re-applied. Photos below show the jacket as it looks right now.

This contract also had a cloth backing edge around the pocket body, bar-tacked hanger, and a collar stand inserted between the body and lining, rather than sew over both. The epaulets are completely unique from any other maker, having the top leather folded over the bottom, before sewing. The collar back has no seam in it.

With vintage zippers, we always suggest that they be treated with care. Vintage Talon are the strongest zippers we've ever experienced, so this one should be just fine.

Fried-Ostermann was a large garment company, and they operated in the last century. Here's a little history of one Ostermann family member. Fried-Ostermann was most notably a glove manufacturer, and they also had a brand called "Albert Richard", which sported a more WASP-y name for production of civilian leather jackets, sold through department stores. They made one of the most unique M-422A jackets, and many other government contract items of clothing, including Naval sheepskin jackets.

The jacket would ideally fit someone in the range of 5'10" to 6'1" with a chest of 42-43.5", and a weight of about 185-200 pounds.