jerkin advice?

[aefstraggler]

As for WPG - the Jerkin, overall, is OK - but unless he's changed his pattern -
it's a cookie cutter approach - i.e. at least one pannel is using what I believe
are called cut-outs (smaller pieces of leather sewn together to make a large
piece) - problem is - regardless of size - all of the jerkins have the exact
same cut-out.
Cut-outs were OK - but they were not used if the pieces of leather were large
enough (why cut a large piece of leather in two - just to sew it back together?)
And they certainly would not all be the same shape, etc.
Still, of the vendors I looked at - two use cut-outs - and the one who doesn't
use cut-outs has much worse offenses in what they offer.

[muddhen]

Anybody have a photo of the buttons and buttonholes, I have picked up a jerkin with what appears to be uniform wool lining, not pieced leather, not waisted, but the buttons don't seem right to me.

[joesweeney]

Hope this helps in making a decision.

Here are pictures of two Great War British Jerkins--One leather dated 1918 and the other a Double twill cotton.








The Buttons were always made of wood covered with leather, with a ring shank secured through the jerkin by split rings. (Ones made for use in Russia had toggles and RAF/RFC had a separate pattern). Button holes were re-enforced.

American made examples are different in the use of 4 hole buttons and simpler button holes.

Hope this helps

Joe Sweeney