Right here at OTC, we’re lamenting the lack of one in all our favourite luggage – the No. 43 Mailbag – made by American leather-based items model Colonel Littleton. The design for the No. 43 was based mostly on the enduring U.S. Postal Service mail service bag, as soon as a ubiquitous sight on America’s tree-lined streets.
This roomy and distinctive leather-based bag is superbly crafted and exceptionally sturdy, making certain that the extra it’s used, abused, and put to work, the higher it should age. The corporate despatched us a No. 43, which we first reviewed in 2016 – cherished it. So, we have been fairly saddened to lately study that the Colonel determined to discontinue it.
To reply your subsequent query, sure, there may be certainly an actual Colonel Littleton (he’s a real Kentucky Colonel). And whereas he could have a folksy demeanor and transfer with the gait of a relaxed nation physician, don’t be mislead. He’s is a pointy businessman who has turned what may have been a novelty concept into a country luxurious model that holds a deep respect from the cognoscenti of American craftsmen.
Primarily based within the city of Lynneville, Tennessee, about an hour’s drive south from Nashville, Colonel Littleton the person, has created an organization that displays his values, sense of high quality, and deep appreciation for historical past.
Whereas they’ve a sure diploma of theater about them, his luggage stand toe-to-toe with another model we’ve reviewed relating to high quality and development. Colonel Littleton merchandise have a particular, heritage-meets-steam-punk look that may converse to each Americana traditionalists and concrete aesthetes; each key demographics within the high-end leather-based items market.
In distinction to the clear and streamlined briefcases and luggage we frequently see at this time, these have a decidedly purposeful and classic look. Constructed with straps, brass fittings, army snaps, and engraved badges, Colonel Littleton luggage are each lovely and unmistakable.
Thick, full lower, naturally tanned leather-based hides are hand assembled, actually, below the Colonel’s watch. From product design to packing orders, his fixation on making certain fine quality and customer support are readily obvious.
To our thoughts, the No. 43 Mailbag embodied each facet of what makes the Colonel Littleton model so distinctive. Whereas it captures the traditional, form-follows-function components of the unique postman’s bag, it is extremely a lot a distinctively elegant heirloom.
For one factor, it’s made to final and final and final. It’s additionally simply the right combination of sensible and whimsy. The physique of the bag is comprised of a single giant part and a full-length entrance pocket. Each are secured below a big flap by a single strap, secured by a really cool, and robust, army button snap.
Usually, this model of bag is liable to turning into a bit unwieldy and floppy when worn, however all the construction of the No. 43 Mailbag is suspended from a cleverly positioned copper tube. This distinctive, purposeful factor provides some rustic class but additionally creates the help system for the removable shoulder strap and deal with and forestall the bag from buckling when place down.
The shoulder strap is superbly crafted and paying homage to an previous leather-based army belt. It may be adjusted to various lengths by the use of a strong brass double claw hook. Whereas it’s attainable to put on this bag cross-body, we discover it finest fitted to both shoulder or hand carrying – by the use of a really snug layered leather-based deal with.
As a briefcase, its capability is gigantic and may maintain all method of drugs, from laptops to books to your fitness center garments. The massive, dry-milled leather-based flap is protecting and likewise a defining function of the bag. As this outer flap isn’t secured, it may be slightly problematic on windy days. The addition of the safe strap with a snap closure beneath helps maintain all the pieces as a replacement.
Whereas we hope he sometime brings again the No. 43, each merchandise provided by Colonel Littleton is worthy of consideration. The parents there are perfectionists and comply with the lead of their boss.
Every facet of the corporate’s interplay with a buyer is constructed round Littleton’s said consciousness that he’s within the “needs” enterprise, not the “wants” enterprise. Because of this, the corporate views their items displaying up in your doorstep as a privilege. You don’t want to purchase their merchandise, you wish to purchase them since you like what Colonel Littleton has to supply – and so they in flip deeply worth that belief.
Transport containers and even the packing tape are branded. Every field is fastidiously packed and every bag is lovingly protected in what we expect is probably the good mud bag we’ve ever seen. It’s a murals in its personal proper. Lastly, they add in a regionally made Moon Pie – that iconic Tennessee deal with – and leather-based coaster embossed with the corporate’s motto, “Attempt to be stellar.”
In case you are in search of distinctive, rustically elegant, handmade American craftsmanship, Colonel Littleton is a model about which you must study extra.
See under to check out how our No. 43 Mailbag initially arrived and the way it’s been examined on the street.
