Club Obi Wan

Did US Wings change their label at some point to the one that is currently listed on their website? I have seen a few jackets that are being listed as preowned, with an interior label that is different than the one USW's website.

Thanks,
Justin

Depends. If it only has the American flag showing on the label, it was produced in a subcontracted overseas factory FOR USW using hide supplied by the USW company, as seen in this Legend jacket on their site:
(Image borrowed direct from USW website)
http://www.uswings.com/ijhero.asp#IJACOW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it has the full blown USWINGS label with the small 'made in USA' attached, it was made by Schott in New Jersey.
(image borrowed from Digger4Glory sale)



If it's a REALLY old Wings jacket with the label listed in line two, it was made either by Schott or by Wings themselves when they were located in Stow, Ohio. That factory was completely wiped out by a flood, necessitating their move to Hudson as a retail shop only. I couldn't find an example in a quick search, but go back in the REALLY old pages of the jacket section and I'm sure you'll find one.

Regards! Michaelson

Excellent! Im assuming that the factory overseas stuff, while fine quality, is not as good as the Schotts stuff? Or is the overseas stuff not that good overall?

Actually, quality is very good for both. They just make the Legend patterns overseas now, and all the Signature series here in the U. S.

Regards! Michaelson

Excellent. Thanks for the pics, M. The label I keep seeing is one thats on ebay right now (cant like to the auction, but searching for it will find it). It says:

US WINGS TM, INC
http://WWW.USWINGS.COM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
DWC NO 30-1415
A.C. Contract
USA
Then "Made in USA" flag underneath

I think this might be the super old label referenced, but I just want to make sure. Dont want to get mixed up in buying a knock off.

Justin

It's an older Wings label, but not necessarily an 'old' jacket. They used up the old labels before starting to use the current Signature Series versions.

Notice the one in the kids USW jacket for sale in the classified? Same style, though that jacket was made in China as you can see on its 'made in' label. Wings supplied the old USW labels to them to install in production. These Chinese versions were GREAT, by the way, as they were made in Hong Kong. The craftsmanship of those jackets were absolutely surperb! After China became prosperous, all the leather jacket production was turned strictly to the production and sales ONLY to Chinese customers, pushing USW's out.

Anyway....

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=60530" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard !Michaelson

Once again, M saves the day. Thats exactly what I was worried about. That these labels I was seeing, even though saying "Made in USA" were really NOT made USA. Not that foreign made goods are bad at all. Just was intentionally trying to get made in USA product, that was authentic USW merchandise. Sounds like what Im seeing is that.

Thanks!

No, I think you mis-understood. If it has a 'Made in USA' flag tag, it is, indeed, made in the US. That's a USA union label.

Those tags are sewn in UNDER the USWings label. That's where you look for country of manufacture information.

What I SAID was USW sends the hides and/or related materials to the overseas factory and they're cut and assembled there, unless otherwise noted in their jacket sales material. In their marketing materia (website) it also says if the jacket is 'imported', and at ALL times will indicate 'Proudly made in the USA' if that's the case.

In the info you posted above, you said it has that 'Made in USA' with flag tag.....so that one is US made.

Folks assume just because the company is called 'U. S. Wings' and has said label, everything they sell is MADE in the USA. That's not the case.

The only Indy jackets USA made the entire time (with a few exceptions. There are ALWAYS exceptions. ) have been the Signature Series Indy jacket pattern, and the VERY first Legend series pattern jackets.

Is it now clear as mud?

I gave up trying to keep it all straight LONG ago, and have found the very best rule of thumb is to trust the country of origin tag sew either beneath the USW main tag, or in the side seam of the lining.

Regard! Michaelson

While I don't have any US Wings jackets from elsewhere, I've got plenty of other names (Wilsons, Banana Republic, St. John's Bay, Berman's) which were made in various overseas factories. Workmanship on these jackets is every bit as good as that found on the products from the Schott factory. Not necessarily better, but no worse in any detectable way.