Inherited WW2 Jacket

[cnjackson]

Hi All, I have a WW2 Jacket (A2?) that belonged to my grandfather. He was a pilot (torpedo bomber, I believe) in the Pacific.

The jacket itself is in pretty good shape, though the leather feels dry.

I guess I am wondering what people do with jackets like these. (I'll post pictures tomorrow.)

Would you wear a jacket like this? (It has many patches and insignia on it.) Is it even appropriate to wear a jacket like this?

Thanks for any insights!
C

 

[Bennarion]

If the jacket fits you, wear it with pleasure.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Hi All, I have a WW2 Jacket (A2?) that belonged to my grandfather. He was a pilot (torpedo bomber, I believe) in the Pacific.

The jacket itself is in pretty good shape, though the leather feels dry.

I guess I am wondering what people do with jackets like these. (I'll post pictures tomorrow.)

Would you wear a jacket like this? (It has many patches and insignia on it.) Is it even appropriate to wear a jacket like this?

Thanks for any insights!
C

Originals can be worn, but I wouldn't recommend doing so if the hide is dry. It may be prone to rips, tears, or cracking. I've had good success using Oakwood Leather Conditioner on original jackets without the appearance being altered in any notable way (darkening of the hide, glossiness, etc). Just use it sparingly. A couple light coats is much more beneficial than a thick slathering.

Given the fact that the jacket has sentimental value, it would be best to just display it on a mannequin bust. Better to preserve the jacket than risk damage by wearing it. The most important factor is to not alter anything. Keep it original.

That being said, I have an original patched Cable A-2 that I occasionally wear, but it stays on a mannequin bust in a dark closet the remainder of the time.

 

[jacketjunkie]

Hi All, I have a WW2 Jacket (A2?) that belonged to my grandfather. He was a pilot (torpedo bomber, I believe) in the Pacific.

The jacket itself is in pretty good shape, though the leather feels dry.

I guess I am wondering what people do with jackets like these. (I'll post pictures tomorrow.)

Would you wear a jacket like this? (It has many patches and insignia on it.) Is it even appropriate to wear a jacket like this?

Thanks for any insights!
C

It is a historical memorial piece as much as it certainly is a family heirloom of sorts to your family. Treasure it and preserve it. You can wear it, it is not a stolen valor issue, but why risk damage to it? Just buy a modern A-2 if you fancy the style..

 

[cnjackson]

Hi again, everyone--Thank you CoolhandLuke and JacketJunkie: you both capture my instincts here. It has felt strange to just keep it in a closet, but I also worry about its fragility. Here are some pictures of it:

 

[cnjackson]

And the back:

 

[cnjackson]

When I was a kid, my grandfather told me a bit about the patches: At the time, I was most fascinated by the cat patch and the anti-submarine patch. I wish I could remember more of his stories!

 

[Harris HTM]

This is a g1. Doubt if it is from wwii to be honest.

 

[Harris HTM]

If the label is correct then it was issued between 1951 and 1960

 

[Harris HTM]

It also seems that at some point the knits were replaced?

 

[cnjackson]

Hi Harris--that makes sense, actually. My grandfather was a pilot in WW2, but it would make sense that the jacket was from after that. 1951-1960 sounds right. I know that he was a test pilot after the war. Do you have a sense of how patches were distributed?

Thanks, too, re: G1. (I am entirely new to all of this!)

I think it's possible, too, that the knits were replaced at some point. Now that you mention this, I seem to remember my grandmother saying something about getting some work done on this jacket.
C

 

[Edward]

It also seems that at some point the knits were replaced?

I would guess a 1970s civilian replacement by the look of the ribbing. Understandable, given there's a high chance of originals having been mothed by then or otherwise damaged from wear and tear.

 

[cnjackson]

Hi Edward, thanks for that insight!

I'm still unsure of what to do with this jacket! It seems a shame to leave it in the closet. But it also doesn't quite make sense--for our home--to have it on display. I thought about trying to wear it--just around the house, probably. But I also don't want to damage it. It probably needs some leather treatment, and the elastic in the action back(?) needs work, and so does the lining. I don't know!

 

[Harris HTM]

Do you have a sense of how patches were distributed?

No idea about patches!

 

[Bennarion]

Just put on a jacket and wear it. It's goatskin leather, nothing's going to happen to it.

 

[cnjackson]

Just put on a jacket and wear it. It's goatskin leather, nothing's going to happen to it.

Ha! Nice! I think one thing that needs to happen first is that I treat the leather--it is pretty dry right now!

 

[coolhandluke_7]

This is a g1. Doubt if it is from wwii to be honest.

Correct...this is a Cagleco manufacturered G-1 that was produced during the 1951 - 1958 timeframe. Definitely not an A-2 or WWII era. It's one of the best G-1 contracts out there as far as the pattern is concerned though.

Knits have been replaced, but she looks original otherwise (at a glance).

My $0.02 is to have Steve Sellers on VLJ replace the knits and liner with the correct set of knits and liner material. Condition the jacket and wear the heck out of it.

 

[cnjackson]

Thanks again CoolhandLuke! It's great to be able to learn more about the provenance of this jacket. I've learned a lot already!

I'll try reaching out to Steve Sellers--thank you for the reference.

Just to come back to this issue--and I gather it comes up on the forum occasionally--is there a consensus on wearing a military jacket (even if a family heirloom) when you have not served in the military?

(I've mentioned elsewhere that I am a newcomer to the world of leather jackets: I have my first coming from Rugged West in the next **X weeks. But I also started thinking about my grandfather's jacket just sitting there in the closet.)

Thanks again!
Chris

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Thanks again CoolhandLuke! It's great to be able to learn more about the provenance of this jacket. I've learned a lot already!

I'll try reaching out to Steve Sellers--thank you for the reference.

Just to come back to this issue--and I gather it comes up on the forum occasionally--is there a consensus on wearing a military jacket (even if a family heirloom) when you have not served in the military?

(I've mentioned elsewhere that I am a newcomer to the world of leather jackets: I have my first coming from Rugged West in the next **X weeks. But I also started thinking about my grandfather's jacket just sitting there in the closet.)

Thanks again!
Chris

I personally don't see that it could be viewed as "stolen valor". It's not a modern uniform item and it would purely be worn out of respect and honor to your grandfather. If anyone asks, tell them as such and use it as an opportunity to share your grandfather's story.

I have a few patched reproduction jackets with insignias of wartime squadrons on them. I look it as an homage to those units and the men that served in them. I do feel uncomfortable wearing pieces with rank insignia, so I personally avoid doing so.

I do occasionally wear an original patched Foster G-1 as well. You have a much better excuse for doing so than I, considering that it's one of your relatives jackets.

 

[cnjackson]

I personally don't see that it could be viewed as "stolen valor". It's not a modern uniform item and it would purely be worn out of respect and honor to your grandfather. If anyone asks, tell them as such and use it as an opportunity to share your grandfather's story.

I have a few patched reproduction jackets with insignias of wartime squadrons on them. I look it as an homage to those units and the men that served in them. I do feel uncomfortable wearing pieces with rank insignia, so I personally avoid doing so.

I do occasionally wear an original patched Foster G-1 as well. You have a much better excuse for doing so than I, considering that it's one of your relatives jackets.

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That jacket looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the picture. And I appreciate your words on navigating when/how to wear older and/or patched jackets.
Chris