Good Wear Leather Coat Company
Good Wear Leather Coat Company
Good Wear Leather Coat Company
This item has been sold.
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Jacket
Price: $649.00 (used condition) — note shipping costs below
Fit: comfortable in the right size
Leather: seal brown sheepskin, seal goatskin
Knit cuffs: khaki green wool
Thread: dark brown cotton
Zipper: replacement brass M-42 Talon zipper with original Talon slider
Size: 44R

This is a rare original M-444 flight jacket, made by Willis & Geiger. This contract is the very first of nine M-444 contracts during WWII, and it has nickel plated buckles, which are only seen on this contract. Willis & Geiger was a prolific contractor for the military, and made a massive number of Navy flight gear. They also were the makers of CAMCO's American Volunteer Group flight clothing just before America entered the war.

This jacket is 76 years old, and is not in brand new condition, but it is solid and a great display item. Any M-444 is rare, but jackets from this contract are particularly difficult to find. We were lucky to find two of them to use for pattern reference. Note the name tag. We have researched R.S. Barhite, and we believe that he was an officer named Robert S. Barhite, born in 1917 and died in 1990. He received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal while serving in the CONUS/Alaska/U.S. Territories theater of WWII. We have no other information about him than this.

We replaced the zipper (which had one half in very poor condition—original slider is on this new zipper) We also applied a few surface repairs on the sheepskin, and have tacked down a few loose goatskin areas. The sheepskin is solid, though it still has a few holes here and there (nothing worth dealing with at this point). We know the jacket could be worn for a photo shoot, but highly suggest that no further use be dealt to this jacket. WWII shearling jackets are nototrious for being rather fragile, and this jacket could prove the same if worn.

We also replaced the buttons, which were not on the jacket when we got it.

The cuffs have quite a bit of moth holes, but we believe that replacing them would be far too much work, and the sheepksin would be hurt if that were attempted (the wool cuffs are integrated in the edge stithing of the top of the sheepskin cuff). Willis & Geiger used a khaki colored knit on their jackets, rather than brown.

This jacket will ideally fit a person who is 5'10" to 6'1", with a chest circumference of 42-43", and weight of 180-205 pounds.

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Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Flight Jacket WWII
Sizing Chart


Jacket dimensions:

 Front along zipper 22"
 Front chest under arms 24.5"
 Back width under arms 24.5"
 Back height 25.5"
 Shoulder width 18.75"
 Right sleeve, from shoulder to end 24.25"
 Left sleeve, from shoulder to end 25.25"

Original U.S. Navy Willis & Geiger M-444 Jacket
Price: $649.00 (used condition) — note shipping costs below
Fit: comfortable in the right size
Leather: seal brown sheepskin, seal goatskin
Knit cuffs: khaki green wool
Thread: dark brown cotton
Zipper: replacement brass M-42 Talon zipper with original Talon slider
Size: 44R


Shipping
Our standard shipping costs are $55.00 for customers within the U.S.A (insured Priority Mail), and $85.00 for customers outside of the U.S.A., using USPS EMS trackable shipping.

Payment
Payment can be made either by credit card, check, or using PayPal.com, with our moniker of info@goodwearleather.com. For credit cards, please email your intent to purchase the jacket, and we will email a SecureNet form to fill out with your credit card information (within the USA - we have to receive your information via phone or email for international transactions).
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