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USN M69-D AIR TRANSPORT GOATSKIN LEATHER COAT
Everybody loves old WWII leather bomber jackets . The history, the patina and the panache that the cool WWII styling has. That styling is both functional and very highly detailed. Everyone knows about the legendary USN G2 and the even better known Army Air Corp A2 leather jackets. There were many Milspec jackets created during WWII each designed to meet a specific need and circumstance.
Most people don’t know about the M-69D Transport coat that was issued to the Navy Air transport crews that piloted big open cargo planes at high altitude. The same goatskin leather coats were issued to dirigible crews and submarine commanders in the North Atlantic during WWII. Most were used in harsh environments and either didn’t survive or are now old and in bad condition. Also the majority were in smaller sizes
Many of these great coats were made by the legendary Willis and Geiger Company. This one wasn’t. This coat is a very supple goatskin ( per the contract) that has all the correct contract details including the heavy stitching under the huge mouton collar to help the collar be more rigid when a Mae West lie jacket was to be worn. This is the same as the Navy G1 jackets had .This coat is made by Von Lengerke and Antoine CO in Chicago. VL and A was a high end bespoke company that sold quality leather goods and clothing to a high end clientele It is said VL and A was a favorite shopping spot or the Chicago Mob including Al Capone in the 1920's.
The coat measures 46 inches collar base to bottom , 24 inches side to side under arms and has a 25 ½ sleeve shoulder to sleeve end. It has a very large ( 8 in approx. when up) warm mouton collar and heavy alpaca wool lining plus insulation sewn in under the lining. It is closed by a diagonal zipper. It has a vertical zippered pocket to keep either your air speed calculator or 45 pistol. Your choice. All the buttons and original Talon zippers are present and in great condition There are two side pockets and also a area that gives access to pants pockets without unzipping the coat.
All the pocket linings are clean and look like new. Inside the sleeve is a 2nd ribbed wool knit closure to keep wet and cold out. These show little or no wear. The entire coat is in excellent to almost museum quality condition. The leather belt buckle is slightly worn but other than that no repair is needed. What is really amazing is that I am 6'3" and 230lbs and It is large enough that I can comfortably wear it unlike most WWII era clothing. The coat has the VL and A label but no Navy contract label. It also doesn’t have the USN stenciled under the collar. All the other contract details are correct and present
Check out the Cockpit USA.com. website. They make an ok replica that is $1450.00. No patina, no history and the collar isn’t nearly as big and the mouton appears to be a lessor quality
I have not seen any evidence that VL and A ever had a Navy contract to make these coats. I suspect that someone commissioned the company to make this one to match the contract details as a special order. I am sure many great tales could be told about this coat and why it exists today in the condition it is in. This is an amazing coat to use in an open vintage sports car or motorcycle or vintage aircraft Warm and extremely cool looking. Always a conversation piece wherever it is worn. $750.00/ OBO
rar@routtrecruiting.com cll or text 541 680 0641
Everybody loves old WWII leather bomber jackets . The history, the patina and the panache that the cool WWII styling has. That styling is both functional and very highly detailed. Everyone knows about the legendary USN G2 and the even better known Army Air Corp A2 leather jackets. There were many Milspec jackets created during WWII each designed to meet a specific need and circumstance.
Most people don’t know about the M-69D Transport coat that was issued to the Navy Air transport crews that piloted big open cargo planes at high altitude. The same goatskin leather coats were issued to dirigible crews and submarine commanders in the North Atlantic during WWII. Most were used in harsh environments and either didn’t survive or are now old and in bad condition. Also the majority were in smaller sizes
Many of these great coats were made by the legendary Willis and Geiger Company. This one wasn’t. This coat is a very supple goatskin ( per the contract) that has all the correct contract details including the heavy stitching under the huge mouton collar to help the collar be more rigid when a Mae West lie jacket was to be worn. This is the same as the Navy G1 jackets had .This coat is made by Von Lengerke and Antoine CO in Chicago. VL and A was a high end bespoke company that sold quality leather goods and clothing to a high end clientele It is said VL and A was a favorite shopping spot or the Chicago Mob including Al Capone in the 1920's.
The coat measures 46 inches collar base to bottom , 24 inches side to side under arms and has a 25 ½ sleeve shoulder to sleeve end. It has a very large ( 8 in approx. when up) warm mouton collar and heavy alpaca wool lining plus insulation sewn in under the lining. It is closed by a diagonal zipper. It has a vertical zippered pocket to keep either your air speed calculator or 45 pistol. Your choice. All the buttons and original Talon zippers are present and in great condition There are two side pockets and also a area that gives access to pants pockets without unzipping the coat.
All the pocket linings are clean and look like new. Inside the sleeve is a 2nd ribbed wool knit closure to keep wet and cold out. These show little or no wear. The entire coat is in excellent to almost museum quality condition. The leather belt buckle is slightly worn but other than that no repair is needed. What is really amazing is that I am 6'3" and 230lbs and It is large enough that I can comfortably wear it unlike most WWII era clothing. The coat has the VL and A label but no Navy contract label. It also doesn’t have the USN stenciled under the collar. All the other contract details are correct and present
Check out the Cockpit USA.com. website. They make an ok replica that is $1450.00. No patina, no history and the collar isn’t nearly as big and the mouton appears to be a lessor quality
I have not seen any evidence that VL and A ever had a Navy contract to make these coats. I suspect that someone commissioned the company to make this one to match the contract details as a special order. I am sure many great tales could be told about this coat and why it exists today in the condition it is in. This is an amazing coat to use in an open vintage sports car or motorcycle or vintage aircraft Warm and extremely cool looking. Always a conversation piece wherever it is worn. $750.00/ OBO
rar@routtrecruiting.com cll or text 541 680 0641
