Club Obi Wan

I received my Wested Horsehide LC jacket yesterday and I don't know where to start in telling you just how incredible this jacket is! First of all, the colour ...it is a dark brown, but nowhere in the range of the dark brown found in the lamb hide jackets. It has an almost russett tone to it (depending on the lighting you are in) ...almost a hint of red to the brown. Very rich, thick textured colouring! To the naked eye (at least mine) this jacket looks much more like the lamb jackets do on film (you know..the illusion that the jacket seen on the screen is something heavier or heartier than lamb). The jacket drapes beautifully and is unbelievably broken in (feeling to the touch)! This is indeed what I would picture Indy to have worn in the 30's, 40's, etc. I had the gussetts added to this one and for the record, when you order gussetts for the jackets they are single gussetts which I would have thought I would have been disapointed with, but I am not -- just the right touch for adding to the extra ease of arm movement! I honestly don't know how to express how fabulous this jacket is! I am rarely at a loss for words about things of which I am passionite about, but this jacket actually has me almost speachless! It is that cool! I will post more (when I am not hyperventilating) and attempt to get some pics up, as well! Peter/Gerry and all the team at Wested -- two thumbs up and thanks! W>

Congratulations! Sounds like an awesome jacket! Pics are indeed a must!

Oh, i want one...

Sounds awesome! I second the request for PICS! It may make me reconsider a Kangaroo Indy.

Im drooling already...(get me a towel)

Congrats,
I J

PS pics

Glad you're happy with your Wested! We need to see pics!!


James

Come on buddy, break out the pics! I must be a few days away from my own horse, and I'm just gagging for it

New rule... you can't post a new thread about a new gear item with out pics. The punishment is a flogging with used coffee filters and having to read your own essays you've written while you were in Jr. High. Out loud.... to the group... and then buy the group around of whiskey.

I have already promised pics as soon as I get my hands on my horse. I'll still probably buy everyone a round of whiskey anyway, because that's just fun

Congrats of your new jacket!!! I'm considering of buying another wested jacket. My first choice was goatskin but who knows maybe I?ll buy a horsehide. I really wish to see some pics of your jacket WConly.

Cheers,
Chris

I am all for implimenting Ren's rule, with the whiskey poured first, so we can endure the essay.

The jacket sounds incredible. I can not wait to see it. You have to get those pics up or I may have to drive out to Kansas and have a look!

Or fly down to Sydney!

That's an option! I always wanted to see Australia.

Rob! I love your new avitar!

Hey, could these essays be any worse than Vogon poetry?

I agree, we need PICTURES!!!!!

bink

binkmeisterRick wrote:Rob! I love your new avitar!

I choose to blame Swindiana!

binkmeisterRick wrote:Rob! I love your new avitar!

Hey, could these essays be any worse than Vogon poetry?

I agree, we need PICTURES!!!!!

bink

Hey, Vogon Poetry, cool!

Oh yes, that really sounds great. But it is cruel to tell us all these things without showing us pics

Oh yes, you are cruel!

Guys and Gals: I couldn't agree more...it is not nice to 'share with out sharing', however I am on the road for the next few days (business) and
I have barely had any time alone with my jacket, much less time to shoot pics. Truly sorry for that, but can't be avoided. Gotta to earn the pay to support my 'Indy addictions'! W>

PIC's PIC's PIC's.... I must be crazy cause all this talk of goat and horsehide jackets is makin' me want another Wested. A jacket that can withhold a good beating or two...or three...or four, who knows. Did I mention PIC's?

Gotta to earn the pay to support my 'Indy addictions'!

Well, that's understandable then.

Regards,
'81

P i c s
a r e
m a n d a t o r y
i n
o r d e r
t o
f u l l y
a p p r e c i a t e
y o u r
n e w
j a c k e t


-please?

WConly wrote:Guys and Gals: I couldn't agree more...it is not nice to 'share with out sharing', however I am on the road for the next few days (business) and
I have barely had any time alone with my jacket, much less time to shoot pics. Truly sorry for that, but can't be avoided. Gotta to earn the pay to support my 'Indy addictions'! W>

C'mon! You can't tease us and then leave! Hey - post these pics or we send in Mola Ram!

Langpuss wrote:It sounds great and I'm really happy for you. BUT, am I the only one out there who finds it weird to wear horsehide?? Just the sound of it makes me uncomfortable. From what you've edscribed, it sounds like a great leather jacket- but I could never make myself wear horse -it'd be the same as eating horse - I just couldn't do it., Do I stand alone?

It involves a change in mindset, yes. I've already gone through it. For me, the clincher was a combination of learning that most jackets of Indy's era were horse (I'm an era-snob, rather than a screen accurate-snob ), combined with the fact that horses aren't raised to be slaughtered for leather anymore (which is why the stuff is so rare), so I felt comfortable with the choice of ordering one.

raised to be slaughtered for leather anymore

But they are killed here in the us for their meat,
and its then sent overseas. So leather is just a bonus
Adam

Weren't both leathers, Horse and Goat, used in WWII? If so, that would make both leathers "historically/Indiana Jones accurate," right?

Kind Regards,
Captain D

Captain D wrote:Weren't both leathers, Horse and Goat, used in WWII? If so, that would make both leathers "historically/Indiana Jones accurate," right?

Yes, I believe that is the case. Look, don't get me wrong on this - leather has been made from all sorts of creatures for a very, very long time. What I am trying to do is reply to the question of horse being a bit weird for a jacket, by pointing out that they were very very very common in Indy's era

Yes! Horsehide was the number one type of 'material' utilized in the making of the original 'A2's' starting w/WW1 and goat was the secondary hide used. From there, depending on what was available cow, lamb, etc. was utlized...not much lamb because if it's light weight. It is a mind set. I had a diffcult time before ordering any jacket in horsehide, until my recent purchase of a jacket from Lost Worlds in the hide. And, from the first moment with that jacket, and now this one -- this is the hide of the period! It is authentic to the time period of Indy and even the aroma reminds me of my 'honorary Uncle' (best friend of my Dad) who was a flyer in WW11 -- I remember the smell of his A2. It is unique. It is like the jacket has a life of it's own. Hard to explain to someone who doesn't get into the more passionite side of things. Kind of like trying to explain the feelling one gets when visiting the Alamo (when you are in tune with the place) who doesn't feel the history there. The walls talk. They really do. So does a jacket of this nature. With this particular jacket -- it is like I can feel the adventure that goes with it!

Man! Now I am really digging myself in! More tease and less delivery ...but look at it this way. It is kind of like radio -- theatre of the mind. The more you imagine it -- the greater it plays with the mind -- and, the more fantastic it seems. I know I cannot talk my way out of not delivering instant pics with this one, but that is just the situation I am stuck with at the moment. I will make amends. Thanks for your patience. And, for those upset with the idea of horsehide as a garment ...do just a bit of research and open up to the 'period in quesiton'...you might surprise yourselves and discover a whole new passsion for this particular type of hide...and, if not ..that's fine too! No two people are alike and we all don't have to share the same ideas, feelings, or concepts of what 'should be'! I am just grateful that I have expanded my options re: this subject and that I have the opportunity to share and discuss said options with all of you! All regards. W>

Why was original A-2 made out of horsehide?

The answer is a bit mundane....

...Because prior to WW 2 the Army (which owned the Army Air Corps...no US Air Force until 1947) had a lot of "Government Horses" in the Cavalry.

Fort Riley Kansas, was the home of the "remount station"...where recalcitrant horses were retrained and sick one's expired. IE...economics...they owned the horses in life & the horses still served (as A-2s) after their demise.



PS--To make the point...Talk about great, period films...about 1940... "The Bugle Calls" starring Wallace Beery as a flint hard old Cavalry sergeant who cannot adjust to the fact that he has had to "turn in" his beloved mount Cantigny (named after a WW I battle) for an armored car. By 1941 prior to 7 Dec...horse Cav was disbanded...mounts were sold...and Armored Divisions formed....they make their debut in 1941 in the Louisiana Maneuvers to prove horses aint got no place on the modern battlefield (honest men can disagee with that, of course).

Hey, WConly, if your horsehide jacket "talks" to you, do you think it was made from the hide of Mister Ed?

bink

Dear Meister: No my jacket is most certainly not Mr. Ed! But, you are close...same family -- cousin by the name of Mr. Fred. Thanks for asking! W>

LOL!!! bink

It's my understanding that through his demise, Mr. Fred became the glue that held the rest of his family together. BTW, it the jacket does "talk" to you, chances are you've been cheated out of a horsehide and given a jacket made from the hide of Frances the talking mule. (Hmm ... have jackets ever been made from mule hide?)

Francis? You mean Fred could really be Francis? Oh my! That means my jacket is neutral -- neither male nor female and has no real identity of it's own! This is devistating! W>