Startown G1 Jacket USN

[zano]

Hi folks,
I'm italian, new here.
I inherited this jacket from my grandfather (see the pics attached).
I never knew him, all I know was told mi by my grandmother.
He was a mechanic for Agusta helicopters and was stationed for a while in a NATO base (don't know which one) and apparently was gifted this jacket by a US pilot.
I'm trying to find out more about it. From my calculation my GP should have worked there between the 60s and the 70s.
The jacket lable says "Startown - subsidiary of Londontown Corporation" and it has a vertical USN perforation on the wingflap.
I've found online many identical models but from other manifacturers but not from Startown.
Can someone tell me if it's original and from what year is it?
Thanks

 

[Thomas Koehle]

I'm not such a specialist anyway but i'd say it's a commercial copy which has been sold in a PX shop on that particular base your "nonno" worked ...

The USN perforation looks rather unusual to me + all i seen before where stamped in a different direction (means yours seem to be upside down) - but once again i'm not an expert anyway

 

[B-Man2]

As Thomas stated .. your jacket is a commercially made copy of a USN G-1 jacket, made by a company that is not known for making accurate reproductions of that specific style of jacket. None of that really matters, since it was your grandfathers jacket and has a personal connection with you . Wear it and enjoy it knowing that it’s a special jacket that your grandfather once wore.

 

[zano]

Thanks guys,
I suspected as such, since my grandma has always been low on details about it ahaha.
This explain why i couldn't find this brand online.
Anyway yes, the sentimental value remains unchanged and now i can also customize it with patches without fear of ruin it ahahah.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

You nailed it amico, maybe the jacket is without any major significance in terms of Navy-issued garment but still your grandpa‘s jacket …

 

[Erwin]

Hi Zano,

Looks like this was already explained regarding Startown G1 jackets, using the search option is always a good thing. Forum member Bjoy provided very accurate information about this manufacturer. You can find more information here: https://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/help-with-star-g-1.11597/#post-106267

 

[zano]

Hi Erwin,
Thanks for the link, i had already taken a look at this post but since the jacket in those pictures had the Star Sportswear label I was a bit confused.
If the name Startown was created in 1970 but that 75 jacket still had the Star Sportswear label, where does this leave my jacket? A late commercial reproduction? or maybe one of the last models made for the USN?

 

[Erwin]

This Startown G1 is not made for USN, as it is not a contract jacket. I've seen and owned a g1 jacket with stamped USN on the storm/wind flap, but this doesn't mean it was made for USN. The jacket from the indicated post is MIL-J-7823E(AS) STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA100-75-C-0331 is a genuine contract jacket - not like this Startown one.