This is the A-1 leather jacket meticulously reproduced with genuine period details and a weathered finish indistinguishable from a vintage original. First introduced to the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1927, the A-1 was the first of the knitted collar, waist, and cuff "wind cheater" type flying jackets—the progenitor of all U.S. military leather jackets that followed. Painstakingly recreated using nearly unobtainable materials and methods from over 80 years ago, this jacket's shell is made from premium-grade vegetable-tanned, hand-dyed capeskin—the same lambskin from South Africa's Cape of Good Hope specified in the 1926 military contract. Its rolled seams are top-stitched with the same heavy 4/16 100% cotton thread as was used originally. The jacket is weathered by hand to recreate the subtle creases, burnishings, and ageing typical of a jacket with years of service behind it. Seven horn buttons (each with an authentic backing button) close the front; the top-most two secure the 100% wool collar while two additional buttons secure both front flap pockets. Two snaps close the double-knit waistband. The interior's 100% cotton sateen lining is dyed to match the original. Cut to the slim-fit specifications outlined in the 1926 contract; if in-between sizes, consider the next size up. Only available in size XL (46).