Leather Color Samples

The A-2 is the most recognized, desired, and coveted jacket ever made. Originally ordered by the Army Air Corps in 1931, it has been worn with pride by the air crews and civilians for over 70 years. Although officially retired in 1943, the A-2 was reinstated in 1988 and has already seen combat in Operation Desert Storm, The Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The Air Force’s new A-2 is slightly different from its World War II ancestor. It is made from dark seal, brown goatskin rather than russet brown horsehide, and its lining is dark brown twill rather than light brown cotton. Gibson & Barnes makes its A-2 using top quality leather and superior workmanship. That’s why both the USAF Thunderbirds and Army Golden Knights wear our A-2 jackets with hand-made leather patches. The Thunderbirds even presented a Gibson & Barnes A-2 to President George W. Bush at the White House. We use grade-A goatskins that are chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed, and lightly pigmented. These large hides give your jacket a beautiful grain and warm luster. The comfortable lining is long-wearing polyester twill. The smooth-sliding solid brass zipper has a bell pull and leather thong. Black-oxide snaps secure the pockets and the neck closes with a military hook & eye. When you receive your A-2, take a close look at the superb craftsmanship. Notice the precise box stitching on the epaulets, the gracefully curved pocket flaps, and the accurately and smoothly sewn seams.