Rear side strap Attachment method..

[Doug C]

Hey I'm sure this must have been talked about in the past but something just occured to me and I couldn't find much on, after a quick search. But what I have noticed is that most Indy jackets are being made now with the straps attached to the outside part of the back panel. This it seems causes the buckle to lay about where the panel ends, on top of it actually, in a lot of shot I've noticed lately. The manufaturers could easily change the length of that strap to keep it from doing that, but they don't seem to be doing it. Now the jackets that Wested used to make had a hidden strap attachment as does my US Wings jacket and the one I had from flightjacket (US Authentic) buckles on these sit a little further out, more toward the middle of the side panel. So, I guess my queston is where did the buckle sit on the film used ones? Screen cap would be great... and btw, I assume that Todd researched this before settleing on his configuration and so there must be some visual proof of the external attachment points.

Doug C

[Doug C]

Well Gemma didn't know what i was talking about regarding the hidden rear strap attachment so I sent her a picture of Sebas' 9 year old jacket (hope you don't mind Sebas) showing what I'm talking about, see the back panel shot in this thread: viewtopic.php?t=24433

I also sent her a picture of a jacket Wested made for me with the same configuration (hidden strap attachment). I don't recall her having a misunderstanding when this one was done : http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1618 ... 114yk7.png

I'm interested in if the Raider's jacket had externally attached rear straps or internal - I initailly ordered my jacket this way because that's how the early model Wested I had was and I thought the external (usually with X-box stitching) was just an "improvement" or a time saver (during jacket construction) that Wested implemented as standard. I'd like know for sure, are there any screen grabs showing a clear shot one way or the other?

Doug C

Doug C[/img]

[Michaelson]

I know one of the biggest problems they had with the inside connected side straps was that in leathers like lambskin, the seam tended to pull out if the strap was cinched to tight. It was a nightmare to get fixed, and some folks reported getting holes where the strap pulled out.

That's when they went to the box 'x' outside connection.

Regards! Michaelson

[Lee Keppler]

Actually, the "X" was used on modern Wested's(Leather Concessionaires) beginning in 1987. Steven Manley(Teenage Spock in Star Trek lll) still has the one I sold him then. He should by at the QM summit this weekend.

[Michaelson]

Interesting. Well, I know the jackets I was receiving in the early 90's were secured through the seam, and I was getting email and PM's from folks who were experiencing the 'pull out' I mentioned above.

I even sent Peter an email telling him about it, and he told me he printed it off and put it on the employee announcement bulletin board so they'd be aware of the problem.

Regards! Michaelson

[Lee Keppler]

You're now ahead of the game-the "knower of things" now has a new bit of information. And Steven should be wearing the proof this weekend. Wish you could have made it. It's been too long!

[Michaelson]

Agreed, old friend.

Yep, I'm a Knower of Things.....not always the RIGHT things....but...things!

Regards! Michaelson

[Doug C]

Good, then I definately didn't imagine the hidden attachment points on the older Wested that I used to own... but I've recently come to accept the exposed attachments as being more accurate, and I guess I prefer it now . Anyway, I had an order into Wested for a jacket with the old style hidden attachment - that got cancelled...now I feel releaved that it didn't go through because this little detail would have bugged me .

Doug C