A deep obsession with quality over the entire life of a garment is what sets The Real McCoy's leather jackets apart from all others. It begins at the Shinki tannery, where they have their own separate temperature and humidity controlled room to store hides destined for their jackets. From there, each panel is cut from specific parts of the hide based on stretch, grain, and thickness to match the needs of that area of the garment. Any thin areas or scars are rejected, to prevent failure a decade down the road. After their dedicated cutter cuts the panels, every jacket is sewn at The Real McCoy's atelier in Kobe. A single craftsman builds the entire jacket from start to finish. All of the trim and details are also just as exacting. The ribbing is all circular knit 100% wool. All the hardware is custom produced to perfectly replicate the originals, including the neck hook, push stud buttons, and the zipper. Even the thread is completely custom, developed to most accurately replicate the gauge and behavior of thread used on original A-2 Jackets. The A-2 flight jacket replaced the A-1 as the standard flight jacket for the USAAF in 1931, and continued on (officially) until 1944. However, it was such an honored and beloved garment that it was worn well into the Korean War, with some pilots having new ones custom-made. With its zip front, classic collar, and roomy body with knit ribbing at the hem & cuffs, it's an uncomplicated classic that's taken on a new life outside of combat, becoming a sartorial staple in the decades since its issuing. The custom vegetable-tanned Shinki horsehide used for these jackets is dyed with indigo, an extremely time-consuming and laborious process that results in a very handsome and dynamic leather. To produce this leather, each hide undergoes 10 full dyeing treatments, all done by hand, in order to achieve the extremely rich, vibrant final color. Over time, this leather will develop unlike any other, as it creases, scuffs, and fades in accordance with its wearer — but don't expect this to age like denim does, the fades this may develop over time will be less "dramatic" than you would see with a non-leather material. True to size, check our measurements before ordering. 100% horsehide body from Shinki Tannery in Japan Custom vegetable tanned, indigo-dyed leather Kakishibu finish 100% cotton lining Custom Kasuri dyed plain weave interior Indigo wool ribbed cuffs and waist Bell-shaped 1940s Talon zipper Custom indigo thread Two front patch pockets with snap closure Shoulder epaulets Underarm vents Clean finish construction Relaxed fit True to size Custom labels Made by The Real McCoy's in Japan MJ23101
