Excelled Sheepskin and Leather Company G-1 Jackets

[G-1_USN_USMC_USCG]

Shipmates,
Just wanted to get your opinion of the G-1 flight jackets made by Excelled on contract to the U.S. government (DPSC). I have two size 48 jackets in my collection and they are some of the most comfortable G-1 jackets I own. I wear them as my day wearer jackets and find them to be sized appropriately and to have very soft and supple leather (is it Goat?). What say you who have been collecting G-1 jackets longer than I have? Thanks for the input.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Peter 1956]

Hi Mike

I have several and love them. Like you said they are very comfortable and well made. All have the Dscp label. Mine range from 1999 to 2008. They are not goat but cowhide.


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[Marv]

I have a Pharr G1 which was the USN contract provider after Excelled and it's pretty much the same in construction and materials used.

I wasn't fond of the massive YKK zipper slider/puller so I swapped it out with a modern paperclip stlye which much prefer.

Mine is also a size 48 which seems to fit like a 46 in the body but unfortunately the sleeves are too long also made from Cowhide and not Goat, very subtle but doesn't really drape well or show signs of breaking in at all.

Good for a starter jacket or a great beater.

 

[Peter 1956]

I think that Excelled and Pharr had a simultaneous contract but Pharr finished in 2004 and it's Excelled only now. I also have a Pharr. Lovely jacket with a lovely collar but the leather quality is far better on the Excelled.


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[nick123]

I have a 2008? Excelled (DSCP label) in cow, and I have to say, it is a lovely jacket! I like the cow. Incredibly grainy in some areas.

 

[Deacon211]

Could you guys post pics of your Excelleds?

For my own part, I just could never love my 2004 Pharr. Leather or finishing, I don't know but it always seemed to just hang on me and never got that great broken in look that my old Cooper has.

Heck, my very recent Cooper seems to have more character now than my Pharr has after about 13 years of wearing it in and around the airplane.

 

[Deacon211]

Here's my Pharr (Left) and Cooper (Right). What I find weird is that the left side of the Pharr is at least wrinkled whereas the right side is still very smooth. Again, the Cooper is only one year old.

A closeup of the pockets.

Cooper:

And Pharr:

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[daw]

These all have synthetic collars, right? I've got nothing against cowhide but the synthetic collar's a deal-breaker for me.

 

[Deacon211]

I think synthetic collars are standard for all these. Some aftermarket jackets like the Cockpit and US Wings use mouton.

 

[Skyhawk]

You will never see a modern issued G-1 with a real fur Mouton collar. It was removed from the specs in the late 1960's. It is much cheaper and easier for modern contractors to use the Dynel synthetic collar, so I can't see any of them spending additional money to install a real mouton collar that is not required by the specs. The current specs allow Cow or Goat as acceptable types of hides. The weight is also specified. It is questionable whether the jacket would pass final government inspection with a real fur collar. The USN likes uniformity in what it issues and in turn what the crews wear.

Not to say that there are not private purchase G-1s in use in the USN. whether they were private or squadron level purchases, the evidence is there to support the claim. Make no mistake though, these jackets are NOT contracted by the DOD and did not pass the inspections or go through the process of DOD contactor approval.

Every USN command is different. I know my squadron would never allow private purchase G-1s to be worn at work. Some commands are more liberal with the rules. When I was in the USN, the "East Coast" commands were far stricter than the "West Coast" commands as far as uniform and grooming standards.

The modern contracted G-1 may not be the finest quality G-1s produced, but for a lot of people there is something special about having a true government contracted flight jacket. All other jackets can only be reproductions by definition and not be considered a "Real" contract jacket. They can only claim how close or exact the details are to a "Real" issued jacket.

I will post this on the 100 Mission G-1 thread as well since it is relevant.

 

[Peter 1956]

I think goat was phased out in mid 70s as I have a few Brill ones in goat but then the rest seem to be cow. Both are nice. I must admit I am very fond of the current Excelled and use it as my beater.


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[Peter 1956]

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[Peter 1956]

My current issue Excelled


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[Deacon211]

Wow, that's an Excelled? That is a nice looking jacket! What year is that from?

My Cooper (both the one that was issued to me and the one I recently bought) are goatskin. I think the spec allows for both and it has gone back and forth over the years.

 

[Peter 1956]

2001 issue. Sadly to say I love them and have more then one ha ha! Latest is 2008 . Now I figured out how to post pics on here will take more tomorrow. Will do both Pharr and Excelled to compare. Pharr is nice and both fit well but I prefer Excelled! Last week in Prague and it stood well in the bitter cold!


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[Tkecks]

Great photos! Looking forward to seeing the current issues.

 

[Skyhawk]

Wow, that's an Excelled? That is a nice looking jacket! What year is that from?

My Cooper (both the one that was issued to me and the one I recently bought) are goatskin. I think the spec allows for both and it has gone back and forth over the years.

There was a period between 1976-1984 in which both Goat or Cow hide could be used. Before that is was Goat only and in 1984, they removed Goat from the specs altogether and replaced it with Cowhide with MIL-J-7823E (AS) Amendment 3. Goatskin cannot be used now in the contract jackets, however a "Goatskin Grain Finish" may be used.

 

[Marv]

The Excelled G1 looks really great, a good fit too much better than my Pharr however, personally I don't like the chunky YKK slider/puller and much prefer the paperclip style as it is in keeping with the original G1 zipper specs.

 

[thor]

That Excelled zipper is reminiscent of the G-1 A-series zipper (not the 1950's "AER" G-1, but the 7823-A; the B series jackets started with the paper clip style zipper puller).

 

[Peter 1956]

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1st 2 photos are of the jacket I was wearing 2000 issued 2001
Next just a 2000 with no issue stamp
Then 2008 brand new
Last 2004 Pharr to compare.
Pharr is very nice and comfy to wear but feels thinner and leather not as good quality. Excelled better leather jacket better all round

Cheers

Peter