tmitchell59
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 7,732
- Location
- Illinois
I have been on the outlook for a BK A-2. I own a BK Dodger and Duke. They don't come around in any size often. When this Monarch 44 came up I had to give it a try. It was fairly new and not worn much. It is Liberty Horsehide. When I got it I wrote the seller I would probably be selling it as I didn't like the fit. I thought it was too long. It is not a heavy hide, but still needed to relax a bit. I took some fit pics, looked at original Airman fit pics.
My thought on fit: if they would have handed me this jacket in WWII I would have put it on and walked away. Little tight around the middle, but I weigh 200 pounds. I'm very happy with the jacket. (I think I look like a bit out of shape old Colonel who doesn't fly!)
I own three vintage Monarchs and live not too far from their original factory in Milwaukee Wisconsin. So getting the Monarch labeled jacket was a bonus.
Like most here I have always admired the A-2. I have never had my hands on an original. I wore out an inexpensive reproduction. I also owned a size 44 russet US Authentic. I thought it was too big, so sold it. It was a very nice jacket.
The Monarch is the Liberty HH like my Dodger. The Dodger started to wear like overnight. I wrote BK about it when it was new. I did not know that it was produced to give that "overnight" wear. They offered a full refund, so that was not an issue. The Dodger I liked from first wear. I told Any I would give it a chance and see what happened. That was 6 months ago and the Dodger isn't going anywhere.
I knew what to expect with the Liberty Monarch and it is wearing. I'm going to document the wear. Some of the pics/video show most of the wear. I have worn this jacket and don't baby it. So we will see.
I collect/play vintage Gibson acoustic guitars. Several companies, including Gibson, started "relicing" guitars. Did not interest me. The Fender road worn stuff can be pretty cool, so I have softened on that. I also have a Eastman Californian is walnut I bought second hand. They use some sort of stressing/relicing. I'm just not sure what they do, but they do something. I like that jacket too.
Sorry to be so long. since most folks want to see pics!
My thought on fit: if they would have handed me this jacket in WWII I would have put it on and walked away. Little tight around the middle, but I weigh 200 pounds. I'm very happy with the jacket. (I think I look like a bit out of shape old Colonel who doesn't fly!)
I own three vintage Monarchs and live not too far from their original factory in Milwaukee Wisconsin. So getting the Monarch labeled jacket was a bonus.
Like most here I have always admired the A-2. I have never had my hands on an original. I wore out an inexpensive reproduction. I also owned a size 44 russet US Authentic. I thought it was too big, so sold it. It was a very nice jacket.
The Monarch is the Liberty HH like my Dodger. The Dodger started to wear like overnight. I wrote BK about it when it was new. I did not know that it was produced to give that "overnight" wear. They offered a full refund, so that was not an issue. The Dodger I liked from first wear. I told Any I would give it a chance and see what happened. That was 6 months ago and the Dodger isn't going anywhere.
I knew what to expect with the Liberty Monarch and it is wearing. I'm going to document the wear. Some of the pics/video show most of the wear. I have worn this jacket and don't baby it. So we will see.
I collect/play vintage Gibson acoustic guitars. Several companies, including Gibson, started "relicing" guitars. Did not interest me. The Fender road worn stuff can be pretty cool, so I have softened on that. I also have a Eastman Californian is walnut I bought second hand. They use some sort of stressing/relicing. I'm just not sure what they do, but they do something. I like that jacket too.
Sorry to be so long. since most folks want to see pics!
)
