G-1 zipper bottom fix?

[Steve_23]

Hi all. I recently acquired an older Flight Suits Ltd replica of a Buaer G-1 jacket. The jacket fits me pretty much perfect, and is overall in really great shape. I plan on doing a light cleaning to the jacket in the near future. I'll make a post on the jacket overall soon.

The one issue with the jacket is, the bottom of the zipper on one side (see photos below) which makes it a little difficult to zip on occasion. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to fix the breaking/broken part on this zipper? Ideally, I'd fix it, but also any suggestions on how to prevent it from getting any worse would be appreciated.

Thanks for the assistance!

 

[B-Man2]

Hi all. I recently acquired an older Flight Suits Ltd replica of a Buaer G-1 jacket. The jacket fits me pretty much perfect, and is overall in really great shape. I plan on doing a light cleaning to the jacket in the near future. I'll make a post on the jacket overall soon.

The one issue with the jacket is, the bottom of the zipper on one side (see photos below) which makes it a little difficult to zip on occasion. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to fix the breaking/broken part on this zipper? Ideally, I'd fix it, but also any suggestions on how to prevent it from getting any worse would be appreciated.

View attachment 112139
View attachment 112141
Thanks for the assistance!

When the male end of the zipper starts to pull away from the zipper tape, as it’s doing in your photos, the only sure fix is to install another male side zipper and tape into the jacket. Anything else are just temporary fixes that will eventually end up the same way .

 

[ZuZu]

This is a problem common to many of these big zips on the later G-1s. In my experience they still keep working- I'd keep it 'til it breaks.

 

[Erwin]

You can try to "transplant" the zipper pin [cut off with zipper tape from another zipper that has the same design, but this requires a patience and basic understanding of how to proceed with this]. Based on the pictures this is a Conmar #10 zipper and finding/replacing the entire zipper [or as suggested above - replacing zipper tape where the insertion pin is] is super easy. The easiest solution is always zipper replacement.

any suggestions on how to prevent it from getting any worse

Don't zip it or keep the jacket in your wardrobe, any mechanical parts would break at some point when you use it . Haven't heard about any magic trick on how to prevent this issue. From my observation, I spotted that usually, insertion pins are exposed to this when the zipper is mounted not too deep and the zipper tape has more space [basis physics always works, longer distance + more force = you stress the pin more, this will always finish with the zipper pin issue after a certain period of time].

 

[Steve_23]

Thanks for the information everyone. It seems like zipper replacement is the way to go. Anyone have any suggestions of where/who to have do this? I don't have any first hand experience with any leather shops near by. I live in the Northeast USA, specifically NH.

 

[mulceber]

Steve Sellers, @STEVE S. does great work on both A-2 and G-1 jackets. He's currently working on (I think) the third jacket I've sent him for zipper repair.

 

[flyincowboy]

You can try to stick the tape with some "super glue" or stick a bit of plastic tape with some cyanolit glue but you need to test this method on a piece of zipper tape first. it's just a temporary solution a simple fix but the best will be zipper tape change

 

[petermack09]

Bew

You can try to stick the tape with some "super glue" or stick a bit of plastic tape with some cyanolit glue but you need to test this method on a piece of zipper tape first. it's just a temporary solution a simple fix but the best will be zipper tape change

Beware, I tried the dab of superglue on my vanson Enfield, zip wasn't even too bad, now I'm changing the male side of the zip, expensive mistake that won't happen again.

 

[Micawber]

The only permanent fix is to replace the zip complete. Repairs such as glue etc might last for a bit but for a reliable repair just get the whole thing replaced.

 

[Steve_23]

Update...

I reached out to Mr. @STEVE S. who was able to replace the zipper and used the original zipper pull. I am very happy with his work and would definitely reach out to him again for any jacket related services! The zipper works like new and I'm sure I will get many years of use out of it.

 

[galvestonokie]

I am also using Steve S for jacket repair/restoration and believe that replacing the zipper is the best long-term solution. on the other hand, i have a Cooper G1 that is my daily, and the male side is coming loose from wear. while i expect to replace the zipper at some point, i have tried this solution and it seems to be a good short-term, stopgap repair. it seems to be working OK, as long as I'm careful when zipping. YMMV

 

[galvestonokie]

here is a pic of the finished process-not a great pic. am now waiting the prescribed 72 hours before messing with it much and will eventually clean the visible glue line. i used an old black silk tie for the donor material, some polystyrene and super glue as shown in the video. the glue line shows the approximate edge of the donor material. is for sure a short-term fix, hope it makes it through the winter, but expect steve s will eventually get it for zipper replacement.

 

[galvestonokie]

also, FYI the jacket is a Cooper G1 that i found with excellent grained leather. this jacket had a fairly disgusting dynel collar that was quite worn and looked a bit gummy . found an appropriate donor mouton jacket from the 1950s and cut the mouton jacket up for flight jacket collars. is my daily wearer, and i really like the cut and fit of the jacket. i expect this is a private purchase jacket since the label data doesn't show up on any contracts. funny though, i found a Cooper A2 with idential numbers???

 

[B-Man2]

As you said this is a stopgap measure. Eventually that’s going to fall apart .
I think you’d be better off just bitting the bullet and sending it to Steve and let him sew in a replacement zipper.

 

[galvestonokie]

i'll wait until spring as it's my daily