Recommended G-1

[JB17COT]

Can anyone recommend where to find a good repro G-1 (WWII type) for about $300-400? I'm thinking the equivalent of US Authentic's A-2 in a way. Is their's any good?

Thanks!

 

[aswatland]

JB you could pick up a decent wearable original for this price.

 

[Jeff M]

You could pick up a GREAT vintage G1 at that price.
Great leather.
Vintage mouton hide.
Probably good knits at that price. If not, can get them replaced.

 

[Fanch]

Look at the Gibson & Barnes US Navy G-1.

 

[JB17COT]

Thanks all, would ebay be the best place then I guess?

 

[aswatland]

You could certainly try Ebay. Sometimes members sell G-1s in the Classified section here.

 

[Edward]

Andrew, which year was it that the "good" G1s stopped? I remember there was a specific year when they changed the spec, from goat to cowhide and faux mouton, and the jackets thereafter are reputedly not as good. Was it '68?

 

[nick123]

Look at the Gibson & Barnes US Navy G-1.

An original is nice but if you're after a repro the Gibson Barnes is a good choice without question. For around $400 it's a good deal. The knits are synthetic but the mouton is real I believe and the goatskin is wonderful.

The only problem is I believe they may have "redone" their sizing this year. I bought another Civil A-2 to replace one I sold in a size 38 which I returned, for it was a full inch larger from pit-pit and start of the sleeve at the shoulders looked oversized. Not sure if this was just a weird jacket but I do recall a thread a while back where someone mentioned this.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Andrew, which year was it that the "good" G1s stopped? I remember there was a specific year when they changed the spec, from goat to cowhide and faux mouton, and the jackets thereafter are reputedly not as good. Was it '68?

Edward, I know you asked Andrew, but I'll chime in if you don't mind. The really good G-1s ended with the C-series jackets which (depending on the contract) would be 1967. The early D-series jackets were all goatskin and had mouton collars, but that ended in 1969. Later D-series G-1s are goatskin but have dynal collars. The specification allowing embossed cowhide began in 1972 with the E-series G-1s, but some manufacturers continued to use goatskin well into the seventies.

AF

 

[Atticus Finch]

To the OP: I'm not sure as to your size...but a guy over on VLJ is selling his size 44, C-series, Star Sportswear. I think the asking price is in the middle range of your budget. While I'm not trying to sell you the jacket, I think most collectors would agree that Star was one of the better contractors of that era.

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=15436

AF

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Yep..I have a 1968 Martin Lane. Goatskin with rusty colored mouton collar.
HD

 

[Edward]

Edward, I know you asked Andrew, but I'll chime in if you don't mind. The really good G-1s ended with the C-series jackets which (depending on the contract) would be 1967. The early D-series jackets were all goatskin and had mouton collars, but that ended in 1969. Later D-series G-1s are goatskin but have dynal collars. The specification allowing embossed cowhide began in 1972 with the E-series G-1s, but some manufacturers continued to use goatskin well into the seventies.

AF

Thanks, Atticus. Helpful stuff! I was narrowly outbid on one on eBay a couple of months ago, which I think was a fairly early post-war (i.e. WW2) model. Maybe one day...

 

[Brettafett]

Cockpit's vintage G-1 without patches... Best price I found was http://americanequipage.com/cockpitusajackets.aspx...
A little bit more than you quoted perhaps, but a 'new' jacket with that vintage appearance, not overly done. No old linings to replace, loose or moth-holed knits to replace, no smokey odours, no stains. And if it doesn't fit you can return it or exchange it.
Have seen a couple of good looking originals (a bit risky, but could get lucky) and some nice BK M422s on Ebay lately.

 

[aswatland]

It is claimed Cockpit's vintage G-1 "cannot be distinguished from an original" which if it were true would put this maker in the premier position for a repro maker of naval flight jackets. You can get a really decent G-1 that does not require relining, having the knits replaced etc.. for less than the price of this repro.

 

[pauleway]

Cockpit Vintage G-1 with out patches - Great jacket!!

 

[aswatland]

Cockpit Vintage G-1 with out patches - Great jacket!!

What makes it a great jacket, Pauleway? It is well outside the $300-400 price range and would incur significant duty if imported in the UK.

 

[thor]

If l can add my 2 cents on The Cockpit vintage G-1: it has a cool washed goatskin hide with alot of grain and some hand burnished areas where the reddish undercoat comes thru and it has scalloped pocket flaps and a vintage-looking "blond" mouton collar. But just about anyone who knows the G-1/M-422 jackets can tell it from an original when you check the details: Cockpit jacket has a large-ish paper-clip zipper, nylon-wool blend ribbing and a ridiculous label that has both the G-1 and M-422a nomenclature. Also the inside nylon lining is not quite as robust as original jackets (they also lined the pistol/map pocket in nylon instead of white cotton drill cloth).

Again, it's a nice looking jacket, very comfortable (l wear mine alot!) but definitely not an exact repro of the M-422a (a lot closer in appearance to an early 1950's G-1).

 

[tonypaj]

I'm not so particular about these jackets, and know very little, but I happened to buy a Star Sportswear G-1, 55J14, for less than 300 bucks. I like it, it stays. I may have lost a bit, may have gained a bit, but the jacket is as I like it.

 

[ButteMT61]

There are a lot of jackets in this category that likely don't meet the "accuracy" needs of some, but are indeed solid jackets. No, not GW, ELC, Aero, etc., but a solid jacket, well-made, and worth wearing. If that's not your criteria, then you need to move up to the bespoke world.
USWings
G&B
The Cockpit
Schott
All good jackets for the money, but of course you can likely get something used as was mentioned.

 

[pauleway]

What makes it a great jacket, Pauleway? It is well outside the $300-400 price range and would incur significant duty if imported in the UK.

Sorry 'bout that aswatland, I have this jacket, and a '68 Ralph Edwards and prefer the Cockpit, but that's just me. Didn't really consider $$ and import!:eusa_doh: