Eastman G-1 jacket

[Griffon_301]

I guess I am living in the wrong country for collecting vintage military stuff... One can get loads of ex Austrian Army and German Bundeswehr stuff but that's about it...jacket wise one can score an ex Luftwaffe leather jacket (the grey ones) from time to time and sometimes even US nylon jackets sourced in Germany but again that's the most I was able to find here in Austria...

 

[Brettafett]

Yeah, I struggle with size. And as Im not actively looking, when I do look, there is not much I'm interested in.
Theres this place called Rocket, here in the UK, have a good number of original G-1s.. I popped in there last year and spend an hour trying on jackets... There were a couple that fit, but really, they were in various states of disrepair... and very manky!
One original I found (don't recall the model, partial label... it was a Star with a faux mouton), fit superbly! had longer sleeves and body. But... it was smashed.
Every other original G-1 is short on me.
My original M422a size 40 fit perfectly, but again... Leather wearing through, knit stretched out and holes in the mouton.
If one is patient, one could wait... or be lucky.
Or buy a repro and be done with it

 

[Silver Surfer]

check in on greedbay from time to time. you can still nail a excellent 40s-60s g-1 for 1/2 of the price of an elc repro. many, but not all are in the smaller sizes, so ya have to root through whats being offered. price wise, g-1s are undervalued imho. that wont last for ever.

 

[Brettafett]

I do and have done this. And yes, do see some tempting original G-1s from time to time.
But, after a few experiments with this have been left disappointed. One due to sizing as mentioned, the other due to the costs and complications of cleaning and refurbishing (at least here in the UK).
Still, if one comes along

 

[Southoftheborder]

Those who say it's easy to get originals are only really talking about the US where there are many listed on eBay. In Europe it's a lot harder and limited numbers mean you have to buy from across the Atlantic if you want a good one usually. That means high shipping costs, and 20% VAT on top including shipping costs on landing. Then if it isn't as described you have all the hassle of sending it back and reclaiming the tax you paid.

 

[Grant]

Really good point.

 

[Brettafett]

Yes, 100%

 

[Silver Surfer]

simple solution: ya get it shipped to a buddy in the us, and he [she] sends it to you usps priority with the customs form filled out as, "used jacket", low value, like $45.00.

 

[Smithy]

There's not just fleas under Vic's hat, he's a sharp cookie!

 

[Brettafett]

Get ye.
Don't mean to sound like a wet blanket, but I've tried this and even then, sometimes get caught and have to pay anyway. Problem is, sometimes they over-inflate the price and you need to waste time writing emails to get it reduced. Lots of waiting and nonsense. Even had to waste one Saturday going to a depot and waiting in queues... FOR A SECONDHAND jacket!
Then if the bladdy thing does not fit...!
Honestly, the one I had before the Star was nice, but the lining was soiled, there was an odour (obviously... for a Vietnam period jacket if I recall), the knits needed replacing.
1. No one in London, and I emailed half a dozen specialist leather garment cleaners and even a couple of top tier makers for advice. No one wanted to touch it, tr could guarantee it.
2. Buying knit from MASH and lining £££, then having it fitted. Only two options in the UK unless you trust side-street tailor. More £££
Just a hassle, and the costs add up. Was a waste of time and money.
3. Sometimes there's a no returns policy also.
If its an immaculate jacket with lengths that look right, I may well give it another go, but honestly would rather not have the hassle again.

 

[Flightengineer]

simple solution: ya get it shipped to a buddy in the us, and he [she] sends it to you usps priority with the customs form filled out as, "used jacket", low value, like $45.00.

That's exactly how I got many of my jackets from the USA, bought via ebay or just from private persons.

 

[Silver Surfer]

as the old sawbones said, "suture yourself".

 

[Micawber]

As far as the UK goes back in the pre automated sorting, and even into the random manual barcode scanning era, there was a good chance that the majority of private parcels arriving in the country would not get nabbed for import taxes, handling fees etc. However these days it seems that everything on the conveyor is automatically scanned and fees levied. There is also a good chance that a lowball value will be physically investigated, market value ascertained and fees levied accordingly. At present Parcelforce will sting for import duty, handling fee of £9 / £11 and 20% VAT. Yes there are of course exceptions, I'm referring to items from the U.S, parcels fro certain countries and EU states sail through unscathed. Almost all other couriers will impose fees for and on behalf of HMRC and add their own handling charges too. The honeymoon of buying items cheap from the U.S and being able to get them into the UK is virtually over.

 

[B-Man2]

As far as the UK goes back in the pre automated sorting, and even into the random manual barcode scanning era, there was a good chance that the majority of private parcels arriving in the country would not get nabbed for import taxes, handling fees etc. However these days it seems that everything on the conveyor is automatically scanned and fees levied. There is also a good chance that a lowball value will be physically investigated, market value ascertained and fees levied accordingly. At present Parcelforce will sting for import duty, handling fee of £9 / £11 and 20% VAT. Yes there are of course exceptions, I'm referring to items from the U.S, parcels fro certain countries and EU states sail through unscathed. Almost all other couriers will impose fees for and on behalf of HMRC and add their own handling charges too. The honeymoon of buying items cheap from the U.S and being able to get them into the UK is virtually over.

Just to back up what Steve said , as a guy living in the US, trying to occasionally sell a few of his jackets, the UK market has pretty much shut down for me. The one or two jackets I sold to friends there, got hammered with taxes and fees to the point of their having to pay substantial fees that no longer make it worth their effort to buy things from me. This has shut down a significant sales outlet.

 

[tjoenn]

As far as the UK goes back in the pre automated sorting, and even into the random manual barcode scanning era, there was a good chance that the majority of private parcels arriving in the country would not get nabbed for import taxes, handling fees etc. However these days it seems that everything on the conveyor is automatically scanned and fees levied. There is also a good chance that a lowball value will be physically investigated, market value ascertained and fees levied accordingly. At present Parcelforce will sting for import duty, handling fee of £9 / £11 and 20% VAT. Yes there are of course exceptions, I'm referring to items from the U.S, parcels fro certain countries and EU states sail through unscathed. Almost all other couriers will impose fees for and on behalf of HMRC and add their own handling charges too. The honeymoon of buying items cheap from the U.S and being able to get them into the UK is virtually over.

I had a new experience. My recently purchased ANJ-4 from the UK was delivered at my door. Then a few minutes after delivery, I got an SMS from DHL saying please pay what was close to £200 in fees!! The next day I found a DHL-customer service email and asked them for an itemized bill, but preferred that they delete the bill or came by and picked up the 30 year old jacket and return to sender. The bill was gone and never heard from them again...

 

[B-Man2]

I had a new experience. My recently purchased ANJ-4 from the UK was delivered at my door. Then a few minutes after delivery, I got an SMS from DHL saying please pay what was close to £200 in fees!! The next day I found a DHL-customer service email and asked them for an itemized bill, but preferred that they delete the bill or came by and picked up the 30 year old jacket and return to sender. The bill was gone and never heard from them again...

That’s interesting...., I hope they actually just gave up on it and you don’t get an itemized bill from them 3 months from now.

 

[tjoenn]

That’s interesting...., I hope they actually just gave up on it and you don’t get an itemized bill from them 3 months from now.

I think I'm in the clear, when I later pressed the link in the SMS, I just got a confirmation of delivery.... unless DHL sent it to a collection agency

 

[London Cabbie]

I would like to see pics of your Eastman G-1, preferable fit pics. Also your thoughts...
I tried one of these on at the pop-up and even though the leather is a bit thinern compared to other G-1s and M422as I've owned, I really like it. Is it worth the cash?
Thanks in advance

I absolutely love mine and it gets better and better...

 

[B-Man2]

Looking good LC!

 

[London Cabbie]

Looking good LC!

Thankyou Sir