What I ordered:
TOD in Horsehide
-rh pocket w/ zipper
-x box stitching
-press studs on the flap
Cotton body/satin sleeves
I was happy that all my specifications were met/nothing forgotten.
So how is it? Wow is a good word. I was suprised in several different ways.
This is a much different jacket than the other horsehide jackets shown by Rob and Jersey Jones (at least that I can determine through the photos). Their jackets seem to have a much smoother grain and a prominent russet undertone. Mine has bit more prominent grain and more significantly, the color is a uniform medium-dark brown. In some lighting it looks almost like the authentic brown goatskin Wested offers, but less shiny. When I got it out of the bag, I took it outside into the late afternoon sunlight and thought that might actually be goat. But its much too heavy to be goat. I was suprised at how heavy this jacket is....and for me this is not a bad thing at all..I prefer some weight. I have a below the waist cowhide jacket that is pretty heavy, and the horse nearly matches its heft, and it its a good 3" shorter. This is some VERY durable stuff. When you work it with your fingers, it FEELS strong. Again this is my opinion, but my jacket may be from a bit thicker hide than Rob's or Jersey's (hard to tell from just pics). But the key thing is its not stiff. It is quite flexible and feels soft to the touch, but you can feel the thickness, especially where there is double material. Now it definately does not drape like lamb, but after some Pecards Jell and some time, it will drape very nicely I think. Did I mention this is some tough hide?? This jacket just might have survived the drag behind the truck. This will more than hold up to any adventures anyone here may take.
I inspected the jacket very closely and all the panels are matched very well, very minor grain difference over the whole of the jacket. All the stitching looks great with straight seams etc. There were only a couple of minor issues: The lower press stud is difficult to close as it should be a bit farther away from the zipper on the storm flap - the zipper has to fold over itself left over right to close the snap. No big deal. This would require the flap to be wider, and its going through 2 plies of leather here, so there's less flexibility. There was a minor cut on the back panel, its barely noticeable.
The fit is spot on. I am a 46L, and it fits where its supposed to. I was especially nervous about the sleeve length, but its perfect - when I extend my arms out, the sleeve never rides up past my wrist. If I had to change anything, I would have ordered a bit larger on the neck...its a bit tight with the flap snapped at the top.
Ok already where are the pictures??
1st couple are indoors. The darker images were with the flash on, the others I took with slow shutter speed. With the flash on it appears very dark brown.
The next few are outside with late afternoon sunshine...it really looks like the authentic brown here
The color isn't exactly what I was expecting...I really fell in love with that russet tone in the other jackets, but it is dark enough to my tastes, and I am totally happy with all the other aspects of this jacket. Peter was having so much trouble finding good hides, and I chalk up any differences to "the great hide search of 2005". I may try to distress a small spot on one of the facings to see what's under the dark chocolate brown, but I'll definately be following Michaelson's natural school of distressing...
Thanks to Peter and all at Wested..the product truly matches the good word spread here at COW. And thanks to everyone here who helped me answer my questions, especially Indiana Jerry who dug up the horshide pic for me-that got me started down the path. This forum is a wealth of knowledge on these products, and was nice getting know some of you.
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That is one fine jacket. I personally love the color. Hold on to it, Wested wont make horsehide jackets forever. 
. Don't want to Mrs. to find out you bought it, eh? 
Well it was midnight... 
It looks like I may be ordering a Horsehide Wested this summer. 
)
