Club Obi Wan

Received the new Gibson & Barnes catalog in yesterday's post.

It's a big improvement over the old catalog. Photographs of jackets are much larger and clearer. Some of the jacket terminology has changed (as well as some of the prices ). The motorcycle jackets have new names. The various A-2 offerings also have some new designations. There are one or two new offerings in non-Indy jackets.

Bushman

Just ordered mine online!

I should be getting mine, along with the samples any day now. I also understand that they have a pre-destressed cowhide they're now offering. I'll be interested to see how it compares with the Wested and USWings offering as far as color, etc.

I also wish they would just list the measurements of their standard sizes 42, 44, and so on; chest, across the shoulder, sleeve, etc., as Orvis and other companies do, so you could get an idea yourself of the fit without running the measurements through them and having them make suggestions on the phone.

Now if they could just do something with their web site.

Rixter wrote:I also understand that they have a pre-destressed cowhide they're now offering. I'll be interested to see how it compares with the Wested and USWings offering as far as color, etc.

So, is the pre-distressed cow a hide that is available for the Expedition jacket?

I.J.

I.J.,

I was lead to believe that any of their hides could be ordered for any of their jackets by one of their reps. So this is what I lead to believe. Until I get the samples and actually decide on which hide I’ll go with and call them to place that order, I won't know for sure, but I really don't see why not unless someone more familiar with FS knows better, maybe someone who has been to FS and toured their factory (ehm, Mr. Rundquist perhaps) would care to chime in, or perhaps Chamorro or Sergei, or any other Caliyee-fornians not currently busy running in the upcoming gubernatorial recall election. (Ya’ know I’m just kidding Sergei.)

Perhaps it already mentions this in their new catalog. At any rate I certainly would like to hear their comments on it even for a G-1 or A-2.

You are correct. They’ll substitute any hide at your request. The jacket combination that has me drooling is a russet chrome tanned goatskin Expedition with olive drab stitching. I’m going to get it in an A-2 first and then in an Expedition. Talk about foxy. Cheers

PS- The substitutions don’t cost you any more unless it’s an expensive hide (mostly the special historical hides).

Well, it's been over a week since I ordered my catalog via phone. I still have not received it. Am I the only one experiencing such a delay or shall I call and order again?

I.J.

How do I get a catalogue?

I tried looking up "Gibson and Barnes" on the internet, but it's not there. Anybody have their web address?

It's at http://www.flightsuits.com or http://www.gibsonandbarnes.com
. Regards. Michaelson

Still don't have it.

IJ,

Persistence pays off!!! As I’ve told a few folks here, it also helps if you can get one of their reps, on the phone, to swear on a stack of G-1s and Expeditions and maybe a stack of those really expensive B-3’s that he will ‘personally’ mail it out IMMEDIATELY. And if you’re also requesting samples, be sure to listen carefully for the rustling sound of an envelop being opened and catalog being dropped into it; and above all, the pitter patter sound of feet as they shuffle off to the nearest mail box assuming you can get the rep to further agree to leave the phone off the hook til’ he returns with the news, 'mission complete.'

It took me three tries before I learned this technique that I now pass on to you. But in the end, I finally got what I requested. ...and well worth it, it was!

Thanks for the tip, Rixter. I will get on the horn (again) with them tomorrow.

I.J.

Rixter wrote:Until I get the samples and actually decide on which hide I’ll go with and call them to place that order, I won't know for sure, but I really don't see why not unless someone more familiar with FS knows better, maybe someone who has been to FS and toured their factory (ehm, Mr. Rundquist perhaps) would care to chime in, or perhaps Chamorro or Sergei, or any other Caliyee-fornians not currently busy running in the upcoming gubernatorial recall election. (Ya’ know I’m just kidding Sergei.)

I finally got my catalog, Rixter. Thanks for the encouraging PM. If I hadn't persisted as you suggested, I'd never rec'd it. Anyway, I am waiting for some samples so I can see just how dark the Vintage Dark Brown Cowhide is compared to the regular Vintage Brown Cowhide. Ehren suggested I look em' over before placing my order. Let's see, can you guess what I'm looking to purchase??

I.J.

Just ordered my catalog online... Their Raiders jacket sure looks like one that I got recently from Target (Cherokee brand). Especially the pocket zipper. But I really like their A-2s. Thanks for the link Michaelson!

Did anyone get the Vintage Dark Brown cowhide swatch? I think it looks great compared to the Dark Seal and the Vintage Brown swatches---rather Indyish.