New user here, looking for some guidance on a first time leather jacket purchase.

[LeatherHunter]

Here is a beautiful Vanson as an example. I owned one Vanson A2 jacket, it was beautiful but sleeves were short on mine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3760764838...FoTonrfQrC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Sirkrimzon]

If you are looking for a vintage G-1 in your price range I would look for one made by Star Sportswear from 1972 or earlier. The earlier the jacket you find, the nicer the goatskin and collar.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196973558994

This one I posted is from 1972 so the collar is synthetic dynal instead of real mouton. Price is on the high side but it looks super clean and the knits look to be in good condition. If you are patient, you may find one that is even nicer for a lower price. Patience is the name of the game when you are looking for a deal.

Thanks man. Is eBay the main place you look?

 

[Sirkrimzon]

If you are looking for a vintage G-1 in your price range I would look for one made by Star Sportswear from 1972 or earlier. The earlier the jacket you find, the nicer the goatskin and collar.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196973558994

This one I posted is from 1972 so the collar is synthetic dynal instead of real mouton. Price is on the high side but it looks super clean and the knits look to be in good condition. If you are patient, you may find one that is even nicer for a lower price. Patience is the name of the game when you are looking for a deal.

What do you think of this one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4054906060...O5bPPJ6QF-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Tom71]

What do you think of this one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4054906060...O5bPPJ6QF-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Yes, looks good to me.

 

[Tom71]

Thank you very much. What about this jacket? Seems well made in US.

I think I am beginning to understand that if possible, I prefer vintage. It does not have to be 1940 but just anything preowned ideally military. But I am open to a repro as well especially if it’s higher quality than its comparable vintage brethren.

https://sandiegoleather.com/products/usa-made-mens-cowhide-leather-bomber-flight-jacket-g1-us-navy

I am not really sold on this one.

Leather looks very thin and lacks character.

Also, and I understand if that doesn´t bother you, it´s made from cowhide, whereas the original G-1 came in goatskin as a very durable yet lightweight choice for use in the tropical APac regions.

The Avirex leather looks much more appealing for me personally.

 

[Tom71]

Here is a beautiful Vanson as an example. I owned one Vanson A2 jacket, it was beautiful but sleeves were short on mine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3760764838...FoTonrfQrC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
View attachment 690073

This is a good example to get an opinion about what you really like.

It´s a fine jacket, and it being a Vanson you can count on a very robust, durable hide in no-nonsense quality.

On the other hand it is neither a repor A-2 nor a G-1 but what many would call a "civilian flight jacket", as it doesn´t mirror mil-spec, but rather interprets the context and adds "convenience-feautures" like handwarmer pockets.

This is purely a question of subjective preference and NOT of quality of the jacket.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Thank you guys , the only hesitation with the avirex is it doesn’t seem to be genuine Us military , rather a civilian model

 

[El Marro]

What do you think of this one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4054906060...O5bPPJ6QF-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

It looks fine to me. What you are usually looking for his condition of the knits and the collar. Goat skin is a very robust hide so it usually looks pretty new even after years of wear.

 

[Boyo]

The seller G.I.Jackets has a pretty good selection of vintage "original" G-1 jackets..

there are way better original G-1 jackets out there, but you could do worse than these also..

 

[tamoko]

Thanks. Did you mean can’t go wrong ?

Jes I mean can't ‍

 

[El Marro]

Thanks man. Is eBay the main place you look?

Yes it is. Keep an eye on the classifieds here but eBay will have a lot more to choose from.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

It looks fine to me. What you are usually looking for his condition of the knits and the collar. Goat skin is a very robust hide so it usually looks pretty new even after years of wear.

Thanks. Is it less desirable because it’s not a military jacket just a repro?

 

[El Marro]

Thanks. Is it less desirable because it’s not a military jacket just a repro?

Perhaps a tiny bit. The fact of the matter is that later model G-1 jackets (late 60s and newer) are not terribly desirable to collectors to begin with, which is part of the reason they can still be had in good condition for a reasonable price.
At this price range, I think you should find a jacket that you like, and that fits you well, worrying about what a collector might think is just a waste of time in my opinion.

 

[El Marro]

The seller G.I.Jackets has a pretty good selection of vintage "original" G-1 jackets..

there are way better original G-1 jackets out there, but you could do worse than these also..
View attachment 690116

I would suggest you stay away from that guy. I bought a jacket from him once that he claimed was in like new condition, only to find that it was badly wrinkled and had been worn so much that the elastic that held the bi-swing back tight was totally stretched out.
at that time, he had a no return policy, but I explained that the jacket was not at all as advertised, and he took it back without a problem.
Still, it left a bad taste in my mouth, and as you pointed out, there are much better deals to be had elsewhere.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Perhaps a tiny bit. The fact of the matter is that later model G-1 jackets (late 60s and newer) are not terribly desirable to collectors to begin with, which is part of the reason they can still be had in good condition for a reasonable price.
At this price range, I think you should find a jacket that you like, and that fits you well, worrying about what a collector might think is just a waste of time in my opinion.

Thank you. I’m just curious not that it will make me less likely to desire a later jacket, but why are layer jackets less desirable?

 

[El Marro]

Thank you. I’m just curious not that it will make me less likely to desire a later jacket, but why are layer jackets less desirable?

Because the really nice G-1 jackets were made in the 1950s and into the mid 1960s. The goat was thicker and better tanned and they all had mouton fur collars. I own an LW Foster that was made around 1958 and it is nicer in every way than my 1969 Star Sportswear jacket.
After 1972 things really got funky as many manufacturers switched to embossed cowhide instead of goat and the finish used made the jackets seem more like plastic than leather.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Thank you. I’m just curious not that it will make me less likely to desire a later jacket, but why are layer jackets less desirable?

Because the really nice G-1 jackets were made in the 1950s and into the mid 1960s. The goat was thicker and better tanned and they all had mouton fur collars. I own an LW Foster that was made around 1958 and it is nicer in every way than my 1969 Star Sportswear jacket.
After 1972 things really got funky as many manufacturers switched to embossed cowhide instead of goat and the finish used made the jackets seem more like plastic than leather.

My Vietnam-era G-1 is great and I like it very much but I suspect it's just cowhide and it definitely has a fake fur collar. The hide is a bit rigid but still comfortable.

A G-1 really does want a nice goat hide with quality mouton collar. But $100-150 for a Vietnam-era G-1 with good cowhide is also not bad if you just want the style for little money - I wouldn't pay much more than that though.

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Because the really nice G-1 jackets were made in the 1950s and into the mid 1960s. The goat was thicker and better tanned and they all had mouton fur collars. I own an LW Foster that was made around 1958 and it is nicer in every way than my 1969 Star Sportswear jacket.
After 1972 things really got funky as many manufacturers switched to embossed cowhide instead of goat and the finish used made the jackets seem more like plastic than leather.

I see. That’s a shame. Historically I thought cowhide was more durable than goat ? Perhaps not as nicely finished or soft though

 

[Sirkrimzon]

Thank you

My Vietnam-era G-1 is great and I like it very much but I suspect it's just cowhide and it definitely has a fake fur collar. The hide is a bit rigid but still comfortable.

A G-1 really does want a nice goat hide with quality mouton collar. But $100-150 for a Vietnam-era G-1 with good cowhide is also not bad if you just want the style for little money - I wouldn't pay much more than that though.

View attachment 690364

Thank you very much , that jacket is gorgeous. So basically look for goat skin and mouton fur at the minimum. Then obvious stuff like minimal wear, intact knit etc

 

[El Marro]

Thank you

Thank you very much , that jacket is gorgeous. So basically look for goat skin and mouton fur at the minimum. Then obvious stuff like minimal wear, intact knit etc

No, because that will take you out of your price range right off the bat. Look for a clean jacket in good condition that fits you.
Most of the jackets with mouton collars that are selling for under $300 have been ravaged by moths. In that case, you would be better off with a synthetic collar.