M-65 Field Jacket

[Preppy Climber]

I would't care about the missing label. The aluminum zipper dates it pre 1970 or at least pre 1971 depending on the source. I have yet to see a 1971 one with aluminum zip, so it is certainly from the late 1960s to 1970. Most ebay listenings put the "NAM" or "Vietnam" affix into the description, but the vast majority of the 1960s and 1970s M65s have never seen service in Vietnam. It seems to be that the period alone the jacket was made in has a certain kind of "mojo" for some people.
It depends on what you want. If you want a fashionable M65, follow Mr. Propper's advice and get yourself a Helikon Tex NyCo one in OG-107. It is the closest reproduction on the market if you ask me, that doesn't rip you off like RMC (which is 6 times more) and it's quality is very high.
But if you are interested in having a historical piece you can actually wear, a 1960s M65 with aluminum zip is the way to go. Brass zips are fine, too, but less expressive for the history fan. The aluminum zips are only found on sought after originals and on high end repros like the RMC. There is nothing more authentic than an original M65 plus they are not rare enough to not wear it without caring too much about value etc.
Nothing against owning more than one M65 (authentic period and repro) except the maybe certain form of mild decadence we Loungers can hardly deny to happily agree to live by.

Cats

I would't care about the missing label. The aluminum zipper dates it pre 1970 or at least pre 1971 depending on the source. I have yet to see a 1971 one with aluminum zip, so it is certainly from the late 1960s to 1970. Most ebay listenings put the "NAM" or "Vietnam" affix into the description, but the vast majority of the 1960s and 1970s M65s have never seen service in Vietnam. It seems to be that the period alone the jacket was made in has a certain kind of "mojo" for some people.
It depends on what you want. If you want a fashionable M65, follow Mr. Propper's advice and get yourself a Helikon Tex NyCo one in OG-107. It is the closest reproduction on the market if you ask me, that doesn't rip you off like RMC (which is 6 times more) and it's quality is very high.
But if you are interested in having a historical piece you can actually wear, a 1960s M65 with aluminum zip is the way to go. Brass zips are fine, too, but less expressive for the history fan. The aluminum zips are only found on sought after originals and on high end repros like the RMC. There is nothing more authentic than an original M65 plus they are not rare enough to not wear it without caring too much about value etc.
Nothing against owning more than one M65 (authentic period and repro) except the maybe certain form of mild decadence we Loungers can hardly deny to happily agree to live by.

Cats

Great answer, @CatsCan! I own several military issue M65 field jackets but none with the aluminum zipper (I have several brass and one plastic). I should resume my search.

I agee with you re. not caring about the missing label on the aluminum zipper jacket. At first, I thought that was a bummer it was missing, but I see your valid point. I would encourage @pausiroy to think twice and hopefully the jacket is still available!

 

[PeterRocco]

If it doesn't necessarily have to be an original and an inexpensive repro could also be an option, then take a look at the one from Helikon Tex. It comes with a liner for less than 100 EUR and I think it is in no way inferior to the original. The fabric is also NYCO (50% nylon/50% cotton)
View attachment 660408

Very Nice.

 

[CatsCan]

Hi I was wondering which one of these is the original color for the m65? One seems a bit lighter shade.

As Preppy Climber said: it's just different cameras and light situation causing the colors to look so much different. Both should be OG-107. The first picture shows the color better. The second picture shows a pre 1970s M65. However, the OG shade 107 refers to the initial color of unwashed brand new fabrics. Many have been washed to lighter shades over time, some even to end up light grayish.

 

[pausiroy]

Thanks guys, I felt sad as the listing I originally wanted was bought since I took too long to decide. After some digging around I found one in even better condition.

Tag says DSA-100-3788. Other collectors mentioned these were issued out 1966 and were the first one to implement the epaulette. Aside from one hole and minor stains everything seems to look good.

It was even cheaper at $50!

 

[Preppy Climber]

Thanks guys, I felt sad as the listing I originally wanted was bought since I took too long to decide. After some digging around I found one in even better condition.

Tag says DSA-100-3788. Other collectors mentioned these were issued out 1966 and were the first one to implement the epaulette. Aside from one hole and minor stains everything seems to look good.

It was even cheaper at $50!

That's terrific, @pausiroy! Minor holes and stains are fine by me. I enjoy my M-65 field jackets, all well worn by previous owners. Adds nice character.

Congratulations!

 

[pausiroy]

That's terrific, @pausiroy! Minor holes and stains are fine by me. I enjoy my M-65 field jackets, all well worn by previous owners. Adds nice character.

Congratulations!

Thanks @Preppy Climber ! I wish you the best in your search. It's tough sifting through so many listings in ebay

 

[Preppy Climber]

Thanks @Preppy Climber ! I wish you the best in your search. It's tough sifting through so many listings in ebay

Thank you! And I agree on the search, but it can also be fun!

 

[pausiroy]

Thank you! And I agree on the search, but it can also be fun!

I'll look at it from another perspective from now on! thanks Preppy!

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks guys, I felt sad as the listing I originally wanted was bought since I took too long to decide. After some digging around I found one in even better condition.

Tag says DSA-100-3788. Other collectors mentioned these were issued out 1966 and were the first one to implement the epaulette. Aside from one hole and minor stains everything seems to look good.

It was even cheaper at $50!

Yes, this is a 1966 coat.

 

[CatsCan]

Tag says DSA-100-3788

Based on the attached photos the label actually says DSA-100-3378.
Congrats: It's a 1966 Alpha Industries M65.
Alpha Industries Contracts 1965 to 1966 were in progressive order: DSA-100-817; DSA-100-1690; DSA-100-3378.
Your source is right. DSA-100-3378 was the first with epaulettes.

Cats

 

[agrocrag]

Just curious if my m65 is 50/50 cotton nylon but can't find the materials listed anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry if there is a field jacket megathread, but couldn't find it.

 

[agrocrag]

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

If I may, I'm going to whine a bit. I'm in-between sizes. I always have been, even in my teenage years when I was buying a letter jacket (what a waste of money for me). Of course, when you're a kid, you always size up, so when I bought a letter jacket, they did just that. I always felt like I was swimming in it, even with a hoodie underneath it. The sleeve leather was also mismatched, one side being soft leather that made the creases you'd want, and the other side stiff leather than never creased at all. I hated the look and fit of that jacket, so I never wore it. It still looks new to this day. To bring this all into the fold, I'm used to jackets always being too big.

I was measured a few years ago, and I'm a 39R. A 38 is snug, but probably how most people prefer their jackets to fit and look. A 40, and the cuffs are slightly too long etc. Like I said, I'm used to jackets being too big, so I always go with the 40. In the case of the M-65, I've picked up Mediums from various makers. I recently picked up a Chinese Rothco Small, just to give it a chance. It's ridiculous that I haven't done this in the past, but habits are difficult to break. With the liner, it fits just right. I could probably wear a thinner sweater, or thinner fleece, if I wanted to layer further, but there's no way I could wear anything too bulky like a fisherman's sweater. And I'm used to layering to make up for the ill-fitting jackets I'm accustomed to wearing, so this is another element that I'm having to adjust. Still, small is a little too small, and medium is a little too big. Of all the jackets I have, I really notice this in-between thing most with the M-65 (it's only slightly less of an irritation with old wool cruisers and mackinaws, but that's for another time). Thank you for listening.

 

[agrocrag]

Were any military m65 jackets ever made with 100% cotton? I can't find the materials used for my vintage m65.

 

[Brandrea33]

I picked up a modern take on the M65 this year from Iron Heart. Love this jacket.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Were any military m65 jackets ever made with 100% cotton? I can't find the materials used for my vintage m65.

As far as I know, M65 of the early years were 100% cotton shell.

How much does your M65 weigh??

 

[Trenchfriend]

I picked up a modern take on the M65 this year from Iron Heart. Love this jacket.

View attachment 665463

Looks really good, for my taste. I think, you nailed the M65 style.

 

[Brandrea33]

Looks really good, for my taste. I think, you nailed the M65 style.

Thank you …. I was really on the fence for quite a while. They look so great on other people but I honestly wasn’t sure it was my style. You know how that goes ?

Anyway, luckily a retailer close to me had one that I could try on and I decided to go for it. The sateen material is very nice, and the lining too. I also really appreciate the heavy gauge, two way zipper.