The A2 deck jacket, a classic amongst the vintage community, and this is probably the rarest iteration! Before the jungle cloth version, and the version incorrectly known as the 'first pattern' with triangular pockets, there seems to have been an extremely limited run version without the knitted cuffs and instead with a button tab closure. This also didn't feature the waist pulls of the later iterations! This one is tagged on the reverse to USS Kankakee, a WW2 fleet oiler that spent most of the 1950s in-and-out of reserve. However, she was recommissioned in 1961 and took part in the blockade of Cuba during the missile crisis. Given the dates, I would imagine this jacket was placed onboard when she was recommissioned (the jackets belonged to the ship, not a crew member) and would have come in useful during cruises along the Atlantic coast.
I honestly can't find much information on these, they're seriously scarce and even collectors don't seem to know they exist! If anyone has anymore information on it, please let me know! A real collectors piece for those that appreciate details and sheer rarity.
Condition
This is in great vintage condition. The original Conmar zipper works perfectly, and the lining is flawless. There is some paint markings to one sleeve, one small 3/4 inch split along a seem on the cuff (both pictured) and there is a little denim style fading to shell around the pockets. Otherwise she's in great shape!
Size
- The tag has faded, but I would assume a tagged sized of 42-44 based on the versions of these I've had previously.
- Fits modern large/X-Large
- Pit to pit 25" (be mindful this is a thick jacket)
- Shoulder to shoulder 21"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 28"