We have an opportunity here, and I wanted to test the waters to see who might be interested. Anybody who’s ever studied old shooting photos has seen the great shawl collar cardigan sweaters that were often worn on the trap range and in the field as well. Things like this just aren’t made anymore, at least not like those. I’ve wanted one myself for years.
I’ve been working with my friend Simon James Cathcart in England to possibly bring something like this back into the world. Simon runs a company that recreates vintage garments in modern sizes using classic methods and proper materials through British manufacturers. I have absolutely NO financial stake in the project, I'm just trying to get enough of an order together to make this possible.
He’s got in the works a two tone sweater of the aforementioned style, made of three gauge English Wool in one of the last old school English Woolen Mills in Leicestershire. And none of this modern open weave either, they’ll be done like the originals with some real heft. Produced on a vintage hand loom which allows for much more control, giving it a tighter weave, better angles, and curves for a finer fit. Buttons will be actual antique corozo nut from the 30’s, old stock found recently and absolutely perfect for the project.
He’s doing a limited production run in a full range of sizes up from Small to 5xl. The colors we’ve chosen for the shooting sweater are British Army Green (OD) and Dead Grass Tan for the stripes on the collar. The picture I’ve loaded is the sample sweater in black and white, this is the prototype. The only difference between this and the production model is it will be slightly longer. I’ve also loaded another picture of the yarn samples for the actual shooting sweater so you’ll have to use your imagination a bit. The mill sent him this photo and it's not what you'd call high definition, but they're old school as I said. Take my word for it, the colors will be perfect and quality top shelf.
But here’s the rub.
Simon needs to buy these specific colors of yarn and the minimum order equals 25 sweaters. I’ve committed to buy two, one for me and one for my father. The price is going to be $295 plus shipping, not a casual purchase I know. But this is what I call a Lifetime Garment, meaning if you buy one you’ll use and enjoy it for the rest of your life and then pass it on to somebody else who will do the same.
I can’t say enough about the quality, this is the sort of thing that Abercrombie and Fitch / VL&A were importing in the 30’s and 40’s to sell under their label.
Below is a link to Simon’s website so you can see some of the other products he’s putting out. I ordered two of the British Navy Sweaters as Christmas gifts this past year and have a pair of the two tone Balmoral Boots on order right now.
http://www.simonjamescathcart.com/
Orders will have to be paid before production begins, then the sweaters will be shipped in the fall. He's not taking money yet, I'm just working to see if I can get enough interest to move forward another step. You've got the best shotgun there is, a Parker, now you need a sweater of the same quality to wear while shooting it. Who's in?
Vintage Style Shooting Sweater Purchase.....
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