Club Obi Wan

I've mentioned this jacket from time to time and have received a few requests to actually see it so here goes.

I got this jacket from Wested in June 2000 as a 3 year anniversary gift from my Bride (leather is the gift for year 3). I don't think I have any of the original paperwork on it and if I do it's buried in storage so I only have the rough memory of the order.

It's a size 42 and I remember having to give sleeve length when I ordered it, but beyond that I don't remember getting any more detailed measurements. Best I remember all Wested jackets were custom made at that time so I don't think OTR was even available. I ordered a Raiders cut in lamb and got it "pre-distressed." When it came it was a softer color brown. It wasn’t until years later that I was watching ROLA and realized how Indy’s jacket looks nearly black and mine is much lighter in color. Oh, well, I love it and it’s never been mistaken for anything other than an Indy jacket.

I did have the experience of just days after getting it, a friend tried it on and said, “Hey, they sent you a girl’s jacket.” I explained the zipper is European style so it’s on the left. His response was “Cool.”

This is the only jacket I still own that I had 10 years ago and the only Indy jacket I’ve ever owed. I don’t baby it, but it is a ‘street wear’ jacket so has not been camping or otherwise challenged in that way. That being said the only wear it is showing is slight wear holes the lining at the top of the storm flap and around where the side straps connect to the back panel.

After 10 years it finally got a treatment of Pecards this past spring. I love what it did to the color and brought out some different characteristics. I'll likely put another treatment on in the next couple months to darken it up more.







Yep, there's a gap. On the right shoulder it is 1/2 inches on the left 3/8 inches.


And the side strap with the "in the liner" configuration. Personally, I prefer the strap attached this way as it gives a cleaner line to the back of the jacket.


Finally, here are the measurements (per Tony Nowak measuring guidelines).

Front Wind Flap: 25 in
Chest Across: 23 in
Bottom Across: 22 in
Shoulder Across: 7 in
Back Height: 25.5 in
Back Across: 19.5 in
Sleeve Length: 25.5 in
Cuff: 6 in

Oh, and for anyone wondering, I'm wearing an AB in Beaver, Sahari color felt with vintage camel hatband.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Great jacket.

but that aint predistressed lamb, I am 100% sure that itis pre-d cowhide.

whats so funny is that this jacket is ten years old and the details except the straps being hidden (ala BW style) is looking very good and screen accurate. especially the collar and the pockets and placement on that jacket looks way better then man of the new westeds made today. well, IMO.

example:

the Big collar
the high yoke and perfect shaped backpanel.
the pocket placement
the pockets itself (without that scew corner.)
the armseam 1'' below the yoke seam.
small gap between backpanel and armhole seam


all in the same style as a Nowak jacket and all that made 10 years ago. funny huh?



10 years old and it still holds up like nothing else. this prooves to me that a wested jacket does last. very nice jacket, my friend. never sell it.

FANTASTIC looking jacket!!! I believe that's the same hide that first jacket I got from YOU, M, came in....the one that I turned around and buggered up the collar on....

Wow, Jeff! Like I said...if you EVER get the notion....

That's the jacket that would scratch MY itch....and probably for the LAST time!

Regards!
Indydawg

Jeff, does that have a cloth or leather collar stand inside?

It looks great, doubly so for a 10 year old jacket!

Wow...that's a precious jacket you have...
It suits you very well, and the hat is amazing...

congrats... anything lasting years it's worthy...

Thanks all for the kind words. They mean alot coming from some of the jacket 'heavy hitters."

Holt, I'm inclined to side with you on the cow vs. lamb. (Where have I heard that debate before? ) At the time I ordered, all I cared about was getting a jacket from the 'original maker.' I couldn't tell you if I requested a certain leather and I don't know enough about leather to be able to say what I got.

Once joining on here I, of course, started scrutinizing the jacket in much more detail and for a while got a bit disappointed with some of the lack of SA. Then as I continued to read about all the other offerings out there and how none of them offer 100% SA, and certainly not with my rather non-SA body, I came to gain an renewed appreciation for what I have. And it's nice to get the Holt seal of approval on some of the SA specs.

Should have mentioned in the original post, cloth facings and cloth collar stand.

Thanks for the compliment on the fed too - LOVE THIS HAT!

Nope, this jacket won't be leaving me, ever. It was a gift from my Bride. That in itself makes it too valuable to ever part with.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

That's a beautiful jacket in a gorgeous hide, Jeff!


That thing is the very definition of AGING with STYLE!


Thanks for sharing these shots with us.

thats the best thing you can have in a jacket IMO. get it as a gift from your wife. I only had that once and I will never part from it.

again, great jacket. love the style, love the leather.

Absolutely gorgeous jacket Jeff. I too am certain that it is a cow hide jacket as well. It looks exactly like the hide on my sons 'lil Indy jacket from US Wings which is made of vintage cowhide. I hope all my jackets hold up and look as good as yours after 10 years.

Good call there, Holt. I was just looking at the pics and thought it was pre-distressed cow also, the forefunner of novapelle. The lighter color looks similiar to copper n/p. Nice jacket, Jeff.

Fantastic jacket!! Can't believe it's 10yrs old!! Looks great!!

Ian

That's a great looking jacket!
I hope my new Wested looks as good in ten years time!

Joe

Awesome looking jacket! Hard to believe it's 10 years old!

Indiana Jeff wrote: Nope, this jacket won't be leaving me, ever. It was a gift from my Bride. That in itself makes it too valuable to ever part with.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Man, I hear you on that one!


I have the same jacket, from the same year, in the same hide. I've got to say, your's looks to be in much better shape than mine. Excellent!

Weston

I love that leather. I bought one from Wested many years ago just because of the photo of _'s LC jacket that used to be on the main site. I kept looking at that photo until I had to own one myself.

SD

St. Dumas wrote:I love that leather. I bought one from Wested many years ago just because of the photo of _'s LC jacket that used to be on the main site. I kept looking at that photo until I had to own one myself.

_ wrote:That was a great jacket. It was the same jacket that one could see Fedora wearing in his Avatar for years as well.

I think that was before my time... but I'd sure love to see it.
Any chance either of you has a copy of the photo of that jacket from the Main Site? Or, any photos of that jacket, for that matter?

Man...that was the jacket that drove me insane to begin with!!!!!

DAYUM at the times I've kicked myself in the arse for buggering up the collar!


Regards!
Indydawg

_ wrote:Yep. It was a predistressed cowhide lc. I treated it with pecards then hit it with a hair dryer to liquify the pecards and let the leather soak it in. I just kept doing it. Maybe a dozen times? It turned the leather darker and brought out the red hues. Also, it caused the sleeves to crease and crinkle up. And as said, it added a pound and made the thing impervious yo water.

A very cool jacket.

I think there used to be pictures of that jacket on the old Indygear website, maybe 4 to 5 years ago. I remember thinking how awesome that jacket looked.

Actually, Dawg/Todd, there were TWO jackets I got off of you in trade.

The first that ended up in Dawg's hands was the one I traded off of you for those 'find your fate' books and the standup TofD display. It was the one that was shown on the old IG mainsite for so many years. I had it worked on by a local leather tailor to reduce the shoulder width, then traded it to Dawg for the G&B Expedition he now owns. That is the one Dawg tried to get the collar fixed, and they messed it up.

The second one I 'traded' off of you was the one you sent directly to Fedora with our compliments. IF you'll recall, that jacket was offered to me after a certain pocket watch arrived unannounced on your doorstep, and I suggested you just ship the jacket directly to our mutual friend in Mississippi rather than send it to me.

You know, in retrospect, I got the short end of the stick on all those transactions....as I kept or received NONE of the jackets, and everyone else got something out of the deals . Well, that's me! Buy high, sell low!

So, it wasn't one, but actually TWO Wested cowhide jackets that you eventually pulled out of that closet of yours, _.

Regards !Michaelson

I do believe that's right! You know..I sent that LC to Peter to have him try to match the collar and replace it as best he could...he claimed he couldn't do it and just asked if I wanted him to make a replacement for it....thus began the Wested mania which lasted all over about 4 years with me trying to get one made I was 100% happy with...never could get it right. If I recall, I think that jacket also got sold to someone back over here in the states because someone posted on here about getting a Wested LC jacket with a REALLY short collar!!!! I tried to track it down, but....never could find it...

Wow...man...crazy times!

Regards!
Indydawg

Yep, I'm amazed that machette was still attached, even when I GOT the thing!

Glad she's still ticking! Hang on to it too...they're going up in value due to the movement markings!

Yep, and Dawg, if I hear of that Expedtion showing up again in someone elses collection, I'll personally drive down there and beat you with a dead chicken.

Why a dead chicken? We have a lot of Tyson chicken farms around me, so it's an easy weapon to get hold of. I'll just have to decide if it will be a fresh one or frozen version that fills the bill, so don't do it.

Regards! Michaelson

Man...that Expedition is going NOWHERE!!!! Have NO fears about that one, my friend!

I've heard THAT one before.



Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, but this time I MEAN it



Indydawg

Wow Dawg, I'd be weary of a threat like that!!!

First you get the beating, then the salmonella poisoning that's likely to ensue...

Be prudent because poultry pummelings can be a prickly pear...my pal.

-TS

Understood, my friend, but knowing the circumstances, it was given from the heart, and not due to a business reason. I know the background of that one, and it was given completely separate from what eventually turned ugly, so try and keep the two separate if you can. It was given as real a gift, and not as a marker. I know that for a fact.

Oh, TS, more good thing about the dead chicken weapon too! Once used, you just fry and eat the weapon. No evidence.

Yep, I've been reading too many detective books lately.

Regard !Michaelson

Wow Dawg, I'd be weary of a threat like that!!!

First you get the beating, then the salmonella poisoning that's likely to ensue...

Be prudent because poultry pummelings can be a prickly pear...my pal.

-TS

Oh...and TS gets the alliteration award for today!!!

I do have a jacket I'm struggling with. It was given as a gift and I believe the intentions were honorable. But we recently butted heads fairly loudly out here. Plus? I'm never going yo wear her. She may end up as a donation to some good cause once I find one.

Well...I tend to see things that way, too...If someone actually buys me something as a gift, I tend to be more inclined to hold onto it....actually, I like to hold onto any gifts...unless, like you mention here, there's just no way I'll ever use it or wear it. So, I don't know if I'd let the head-butting factor in...but, if you honestly are never going to wear it...donating to a good cause is always good karma, too!

All that said...M is right about the intentions there....

Oh....regular or extra-crispy?
Regards!
Indydawg

Oh, TS, more good thing about the dead chicken weapon too! Once used, you just fry and eat the weapon. No evidence.

Reminds of the Alfred Hitchcock episode about the Leg of Lamb...

Oh...and TS gets the alliteration award for today!!!

Awesome, is it covered in nougat and caramel?



...and 10 year old Wested Leather jackets that look fantastic?

Tennessee Smith wrote: Be prudent because poultry pummelings can be a prickly pear...my pal.

I'm still trying to figure out how a chicken can be a vegetable. I can see how it'd be your friend, though, as you never did fit in with the rest of the kids.

I know a girl, actually a few, that say they are vegetarians but they eat chicken... but the're vegetarians. and they eat chicken because they are vegetarians. So, to some chickens don't exist on that level of existence as say a cow, or meat. Because they are vegetarians and they eat chicken... so are they all, all honorable men, Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral... wait.. sorry there... train derail hit a side car...


Anyways, with that thought in mind... it's a fruit or vegetable.

Uh, so are cows, and more so than chickens. Free range chickens eat bugs.

Why don't they eat steak? If they don't eat steak, we won't have cowhide for our jackets. (How's THAT for dragging a subject kicking and screaming back to topic? )

Anyway, folks made me shake my head sometimes.

Regards !Michaelson

No argument there

One of the girls, that's a vegetarian... but eats chicken, got offended when I offered her an Altoid one day. She said, and I quote "Don't you know they're made with gelatin made form animal bones"!!!


...she didn't like my response... "Well, those shoes you're wearing may have been vegtable tanned but they're still made from a cow"


We don't talk anymore...

If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?

I'm a member of PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals.

You know how it is is down here. Gimme a steak any day!

...but speaking of cow..hide...


Eat steak! Invest in the jacket industry!

..and we thank you for your support!

_ wrote:She had told me she was a "hostess" in a swanky Vancouver restaurant. One of her "customers" was waiting for her at a table where her dinner was half eaten - a messy rare and quite bloody hamburger.

I tell ya, hillarious derails aside, I never thought posting my little ol' Wested would ever generate this level of interest or delight. I didn't/don't think of it as anything overtly special. It's my jacket, I wear it. I just assumed many of the 'elder statesmen' of the forum would have any number of these jackets kicking around in the back of a closet, but apparently not.

My bride has gotten a kick out of reading the posts too. Her first response, "I got that jacket for you? Or did you buy it for yourself and tell me that was my anniverary gift for you that year?"

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Whoops, Jeff. Hopefully you didn't just let the proverbial cat out of the bag, did you?


Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, tread carefully. I'm still dreading the day my wife doesn't realize that the jacket I wear everyday is actually several jackets!

Said the women: "Wait 'til we get our Hanes on YOU!"

Michaelson wrote:Whoops, Jeff. Hopefully you didn't just let the proverbial cat out of the bag, did you?


Regards! Michaelson

No worries there. I got her a leather jacket that anniversary as well. Technically I did pick out the Wested and order it for myself, but she went to the store to pick out her jacket as well. Now, I did really want a Wested and it so happened that year 3's gift is leather so I happened to suggest we get each other leather jackets. Everything was above board.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Indiana Holt wrote:Great jacket.
whats so funny is that this jacket is ten years old and the details except the straps being hidden (ala BW style) is looking very good and screen accurate. especially the collar and the pockets and placement on that jacket looks way better then man of the new westeds made today. well, IMO.

example:

the Big collar
the high yoke and perfect shaped backpanel.
the pocket placement
the pockets itself (without that scew corner.)
the armseam 1'' below the yoke seam.
small gap between backpanel and armhole seam


all in the same style as a Nowak jacket and all that made 10 years ago. funny huh?



10 years old and it still holds up like nothing else. this prooves to me that a wested jacket does last. very nice jacket, my friend. never sell it.

I've owned many Westeds over the years and my first jacket from the mid 1990s shares the same traits that are described above. It seems as if my oldest Wested is more screen accurate (minus the hidden straps) than the ones produced after all of the fan tweaking years later. Too bad it doesn't fit anymore! The collar stand was halfway out on the storm flap as well. Besides the straps I can't tell much difference between my first Wested and my Nowak.

Can't wait to see my Wested in 10 years....

You expect your order to take that long to get to you?

Michaelson wrote:You expect your order to take that long to get to you?

TOO FUNNY

Hahaha.... reading my post now it really seems funny.

Obviously I meant how in 10 years my current Wested will look...

thanks guys