Freewheelers, Bootleggers Reunion, Bubo, etc.

[Double 0 Soul]

2 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

I'm going all out Duck 

Oh.. ok love

2 hours ago, Broark said:

It's kinda like Y2K, nobody understands the full ramifications but once it approaches you should be scared.

We just do it all again replacing the 18 dates with 19 and the 19 dates with 18s? yeah, that should work.

1 hour ago, Maynard Friedman said:

Yes, but a monthly pair from 1941-1944.

Another 48x pairs?

Pfft!.. that ain't gonna last us very long

[ATWM]

What do I do with all my non exact repro but repro inspired pairs that are like .. 55 ish, 66 ish, 22 ish? I guess they don’t count and I mostly need to start over! 

[Dr_Heech]

5 minutes ago, ATWM said:

What do I do with all my non exact repro but repro inspired pairs that are like .. 55 ish, 66 ish, 22 ish? I guess they don’t count and I mostly need to start over! 

I think you certainly need to update your 'How many pairs' list, you mentioned some crispy unworn bucklebacks (?)

[ATWM]

7 minutes ago, Dr_Heech said:

I think you certainly need to update your 'How many pairs' list, you mentioned some crispy unworn bucklebacks (?)

A few, yep, but mostly black ones actually! The heresy, ha. I’m sure the list has grown beyond what I’d ever intended.

[indigoeagle]

The S506XX 1944-45 model has been reissued.
Already in the "updated" original WWII denim, which according to the text by Genco is basically the same, also with the vertical fading, but through a reformulation of the warp it will be rougher.
Also the length has been extended a bit. For size 46 it's 63cm vs. the 60cm for the 46/47 model.

In the text it says, that for denim jackets the pocket flap was taken away in 1944. 

He also says, that in March the S601XX 1944-45 model will be issued, in the new WWII denim. So that should be the one with the OD HBT pocket bags. I think @beautiful_FrEaK recently got this model.

 

[indigoeagle]

5 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

@MJF9 would be interested to see what differences there are between the 1941 and 1942 506XX.

Curious of FW's take on that.

Probably not much apart from the updated denim, no?

[Dr_Heech]

34 minutes ago, ATWM said:

A few, yep, but mostly black ones actually! The heresy, ha. I’m sure the list has grown beyond what I’d ever intended.

This happens/has happened to quite a few here, myself included. I believe I've peaked denim-repro wise, even more so recently since I've lost some weight and can now fit back into some of the older/smaller pairs l have tucked away, meaning my How many.. list has regrown to around 19/20 pairs, enough for my (possible) remaining lifetime.

As l've said somewhere else on another thread, there's still the 1922-36 era to be repro'd in detail ihmo, but l suppose even then, there's only really three main models to repro, unless the makers are as fussy as they are with the 1940s era one's. 

[Dr_Heech]

3 minutes ago, indigoeagle said:

Probably not much apart from the updated denim, no?

Your guess is as good as mine (?)

Got my popcorn and I'll be watching and waiting.

[indigoeagle]

2 minutes ago, Dr_Heech said:

Your guess is as good as mine (?)

Got my popcorn and I'll be watching and waiting.

Perhaps something special about the cinch? But the lily one came in 1946, was it?

Perhaps @Double 0 Soul was involved

[Double 0 Soul]

Life was simpler when it went 37, 44, 47..

 

[mstax]

3 hours ago, indigoeagle said:

The S506XX 1944-45 model has been reissued.
Already in the "updated" original WWII denim, which according to the text by Genco is basically the same, also with the vertical fading, but through a reformulation of the warp it will be rougher.
Also the length has been extended a bit. For size 46 it's 63cm vs. the 60cm for the 46/47 model.

In the text it says, that for denim jackets the pocket flap was taken away in 1944. 

He also says, that in March the S601XX 1944-45 model will be issued, in the new WWII denim. So that should be the one with the OD HBT pocket bags. I think @beautiful_FrEaK recently got this model.

 

I also got the latest issue of the 44-45 tux so both S601xx and S506xx. Jeans got a little tight for me so will order one size up in march. Will be interesting to see how much the new WWII denim differs from the latest batch.

[MJF9]

5 hours ago, indigoeagle said:

The S506XX 1944-45 model has been reissued.
Also the length has been extended a bit. For size 46 it's 63cm vs. the 60cm for the 46/47 model.

The 44-45 model originally came in bigger and longer than the 46/47 model.  The reissue looks the same sizing as the earlier version which I have.  The 46/47 is a significantly snugger fit.  One particular Japan based seller referred to the 44-45 as a jacket, rather than a blouse.

Edited December 1, 2025 by MJF9

[MJF9]

10 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

@MJF9 would be interested to see what differences there are between the 1941 and 1942 506XX.

Curious of FW's take on that.

I haven't got the 42 but Austin has so he might do us a nice photo comparison when his '41 jacket lands next May, if we're nice to him 

41 jacket blurb...

The design and specifications of the 1937-1941 model remain the same, but the only detail that differs from the early 1942 model is the square stitching that secures the front pleats.

This special model was produced for a very limited time in late 1941. Crafted from dark, rugged new wartime fabric, it features a flap, a front zipper, and a black buckle. 506XX.

ORIGINAL NEW 14oz WWII DENIM, Cinch Back, BLACK FINISH BUCKLE

Iron, engraved regular-size buttons, 5-button front, two-piece sleeves, pocket flaps, and steel rivets

[Broark]

15 minutes ago, MJF9 said:

I haven't got the 42 but Austin has so he might do us a nice photo comparison when his '41 jacket lands next May, if we're nice to him 

Hey, you know I always post my FW orders, if there's ever any type of comparison y'all want to see just let me know. 
Been wearing my '42 tux quite a bit lately, jacket is still relatively dark compared to the jeans.

[indigoeagle]

3 hours ago, MJF9 said:

The 44-45 model originally came in bigger and longer than the 46/47 model.  The reissue looks the same sizing as the earlier version which I have.  The 46/47 is a significantly snugger fit.  One particular Japan based seller referred to the 44-45 as a jacket, rather than a blouse.

Interesting.
Genco says this (I used google translate): "At the time, there were no restrictions on jackets, and shirts and blouses were also eligible for removal. However, since the first model at the time was a "pleated blouse," the flaps were removed.".

and: "As for the silhouette, the length has been slightly lengthened without compromising the vintage feel, creating a well-balanced silhouette."

The Warehouse 1941 model is a bit longer also, for the size 46 64cm. Also the sleeves shoulder to cuff 64.5cm, compared with say the WH 1936 model in 48 back length: 60.5cm and sleeves 61cm.
 

By the way FW had issued a 1943 model with pocket flap, but only four buttons before, around March 2019. So every year since 1941 is accounted for now. 
1940, 1948 and 1949 can still be used.

[indigoeagle]

3 hours ago, MJF9 said:

41 jacket blurb...

The design and specifications of the 1937-1941 model remain the same, but the only detail that differs from the early 1942 model is the square stitching that secures the front pleats.

This special model was produced for a very limited time in late 1941. Crafted from dark, rugged new wartime fabric, it features a flap, a front zipper, and a black buckle. 506XX.

What's that "front zipper"?

[Dr_Heech]

5 hours ago, indigoeagle said:

What's that "front zipper"?

Was going to ask but you beat me to it

[MJF9]

Google translate working its magic

Edited December 2, 2025 by MJF9

[Double 0 Soul]

8 hours ago, indigoeagle said:

What's that "front zipper"?

It's a zipper down the front obviously.. an ultra-rare unicorn model which only exists in the Freewheelers vaults.. in the coming years i've heard they'll be releaseing the equally rare front press-stud 506xx and the insanely rare velcro fronted 507xx .. get saving up boys!

[indigoeagle]

50 minutes ago, Double 0 Soul said:

It's a zipper down the front obviously.. an ultra-rare unicorn model which only exists in the Freewheelers vaults.. in the coming years i've heard they'll be releaseing the equally rare front press-stud 506xx and the insanely rare velcro fronted 507xx .. get saving up boys!

Any news on the denim fabric they will use for those enticing models?

[Double 0 Soul]

9 minutes ago, indigoeagle said:

Any news on the denim fabric they will use for those enticing models?

It's their take on the LVC banner 

[Lorcan]

The older FW 1943 506 looks closer to their standard 1947 but with one fewer button and olive hbt under the pocket flap than an actual wwii repro. Bit more ‘creative license’. No laurel leaf buttons - forgotten when they started making their own of those, I think Duke talks about it somewhere further back in this thread. Double needle pocket flap sewing like post-war (newer 1941 and 1942 are single needle).

oh for the days when a FW 506 was still under 40000 yen 😂

[SLAYER]

Been browsing some japanese auctions for a n-1 and realized that more newer models have only 30% alpaca?

Some older models used to have 100%, why the change ?

 

[indigoeagle]

On 12/2/2025 at 9:51 AM, Double 0 Soul said:

It's their take on the LVC banner 

The in between the years era one?

[indigoeagle]

On 12/2/2025 at 10:33 AM, Lorcan said:

The older FW 1943 506 looks closer to their standard 1947 but with one fewer button and olive hbt under the pocket flap than an actual wwii repro. Bit more ‘creative license’. No laurel leaf buttons - forgotten when they started making their own of those, I think Duke talks about it somewhere further back in this thread. Double needle pocket flap sewing like post-war (newer 1941 and 1942 are single needle).

oh for the days when a FW 506 was still under 40000 yen 😂

Duke's content is a real treasure trove. 

Their first WWII model (I think 1943?) also was of their standard denim.

Well, the 40,000 yen then- at least in EUR- was probably more then than say 60,000 are now.
My early 30s model by them bought in 2013 was JPY 31,500, which was around EUR 315.
The 46/47 is now JPY 53,900, which is now ca. EUR 300. 
So basically the same.
It might be different in GBP unfortunately 😕

[Lorcan]

7 hours ago, SLAYER said:

Been browsing some japanese auctions for a n-1 and realized that more newer models have only 30% alpaca?

Some older models used to have 100%, why the change ?

 

Not sure it's an old vs new thing, more like they release different versions. alpaca/wool blend is more repro accurate standard version and 100% alpaca is like the deluxe version. Don't think they've actually been doing 100% alpaca linings all that long, think it started with some of the flying jackets like the Taildragger and then they started doing versions of the N-1 with it. They'll probably do another 100% alpaca N-1 release at some point and the current civilian deck jacket is also 100%. 

[LazyS]

m-51 and 42 601

[Maynard Friedman]

What are you measuring? 😆

[LazyS]

Dog 91.44 cm

[ATWM]

Can dog be hemmed to a better length about 78 cm or so