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Hunt for original G-1s: Advice please!

Metatron

One Too Many
Messages
1,536
Location
United Kingdom
Hullo everyone, my interest in vintage leather started with Luftwaffe Karl Heisler heated jackets, but seeing as they are extremely rare and pricey(I settled for a noblehouse 'casual' repro), I thought I might as well look elsewhere in the mean time.

G-1s seem to be readily available and at bargain prices, seems the best value for a classic jacket on the market.

Can you give me some advice, including sizing: I have a pretty much standard 42 inch chest, should I be looking for a size 44 seeing as they are vintage garments?

Which are the nicest ones? Pre 1970s?
 

Atticus Finch

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,718
Location
Coastal North Carolina, USA
Sounds like you are already on the right track. If you wear a 42 civilian jacket, size 44 in a G-1 will probably be more comfortable for you. Most folks agree that the early D-series G-1s were the last of the good ones...in other words, up until 1969. And late D-series G-1s are OK. They're well made and are all goatskin, but they have Dynal collars. When the E-series jackets appeared in 1971 and 1972, the quality of G-1s really began to deteriorate quickly. Most E-series jackets are cowhide and all of them have dynal collars.

AF
 

fnoprx

Familiar Face
Messages
77
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
I currently own two G-1's - a 1975 Brill Bros E-series and a 1969 Star Sportswear D-series. Both are very nice jackets, but I do prefer the Star which has a beautiful mouton collar and nicer hide. Nothing wrong with the E-series though - a tough, functional and sharp looking jacket. But regarding size: both are size 40 (I am usually a 38) - but they are very different! The Star fits almost a size bigger, while the Brill is a very tight 40. So like many others here I will advise you to go by actual measurements!
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
Buying new vs vintage vs import vs American made all offer different challenges. Knowing the actual measurements are the most important thing without being able to try on in person.
There's simply now way to advise you on what will fit otherwise. What I've done is to make an email template with diagrams on how to measure a jacket. When I'm buying online (ebay, forums, etc) I now have this handy for the seller to measure for me. Good luck!
 

Atticus Finch

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,718
Location
Coastal North Carolina, USA
As to fit, G-1s can be a bit unforgiving. They were designed to be worn by young, trim military guys who run a hundred miles each morning before breakfast. G-1s tend to fit very snugly about the middle…especially if the wearer is a fiftyish, sedentary lawyer who wouldn’t run even if Sasquatch were chasing him.

I wear a size 46 civilian jacket…all of my G-1s are size 48.

AF
 

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