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The extraordinary
LOST WORLDS recreation of the early production J.A. DUBOW MFG. CO. A-2,
"Collar Stand" Design. Workmanship, authenticity and fit which must be
experienced to be believed!
As with
our
standard WWII issue collar construction, the benchmark for those who know.
The earliest A-2s
used a collar construction different from most WWII examples: a narrow leather
band, separately lined and top
stitched, attached collar to body (see above), as on many shirts. This more elaborate and
time-consuming design produced a slightly different collar shape and roll. A
similar early construction is found on our
B-2.
Prior to
WWII the AAF modified the A-2 with a direct collar/body construction.
Probable reasons: easier mass manufacturing, desired lower neck profile, better
soiling resistance (less lining exposed at neck). The
"Collar Stand" design was also inherently asymmetrical, causing pattern and production problems and errors. Many original Roughwears,
for instance, are truly unbalanced
-- displaying a short, compressed frontal collar with the rear extending an inch or more
past the neck seam in a fair approximation of the cowl on a clown's costume! Sorry
for the sacrilege, Shroud of Turin Pennsylvania and all that
(where Roughwears were made) but this is simply not correct design.
During WWII
several major contractors, for unknown reasons, continued to manufacture the
"Collar Stand" design, notably Roughwear and Perry Sportswear.
J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co. changed production to the standard collar construction.
Yet there's no denying the beauty, complexity and uniqueness of the older
design. One construction is not "better" than the other. More like vanilla
and chocolate -- different.
The LOST WORLDS
"Collar Stand" A-2, like the
original Dubow, is fully symmetrical. If something
isn't perfect and balanced, we
don't make it. Nor do we copy errors. Consider the beautiful shaping and roll of
the collar in the shots above. It was different during WWII: many operators in many companies made these
jackets and quality and standardization varied -- getting the jackets to airmen was the
priority. Ours is perfection. LOST WORLDS has a different perspective on
reproduction than some other mfgs. We conceive our jacket to emulate that
A-2 which Jacob Dubow had cut, then sewn by his best cutter and operator
to serve as a perfect production sample for the rest of his many workers, rather
than a Xerox of a flawed piece such as one stumbles on at a military show or the
like.
"I received the A2 jacket a couple of days ago . I
was quite surprised to receive a message from UPS that I had
this package coming. That was a whole lot faster then I was
expecting. I have hardly had it off for the last two days. I am
a picky person , I just can’t help it , it must be part of my
nature . I have been studying this thing , its quality of
leather , the craftsmanship with which it was made , the fit ,
the finish. Its flawless! This has been without question the
nicest A2 I have ever seen. I have owned several in my life and
some were pretty nice too , but Non has ever surpassed my
expectations like this one. It is such a wonderful jacket that I
can not find any flaw or complaint I could make , except maybe I
never want to take it off!! The fit is perfect , the leather is
just perfect. It feels like REAL leather not too light or too
soft, it even smells wonderful. I could not be more pleased with
this jacket. I have always considered my Trojan MC jacket you
made me my favorite jacket but now its my second with this one
being #1. It is fantastic. You have totally spoiled me on
jackets. Now I have to save up for a G1 And one of the wool
ones. They are expensive , but well worth the price! Fast
service, top quality materials, flawless construction, perfect
fit. I just can’t say enough of how happy I am with My
A2. Everything you mention on your site about your jackets is
more then true . These are jackets for your lifetime. Thanks so
much for everything. You are the BEST at what you do..."
FN
Billings MT
12.19
"the jacket arrived
yesterday...and WOW!!. it's stunning....ultra high quality and
fits like a glove. thank you so much for this
treasure!! I am very impressed with
your horsehide
A2....thank you......."
R.G.
N.S. Canada
8.31.14
For a full description of the A-2
design and all LOST
WORLDS A-2s specifications see:
A-2 Flight Jacket
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