IRVIN B.FOSTER & SONS SPORTSWEAR CO. MIL-J-7823A, INC. CONTRACT NO. DA 36-243-QM(CTM)8834-C-61

[London Cabbie]

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I never came here looking for a original jacket but thanks to MaydayWei, Mulceber and Lord Flashheart with input from B-Man2 and Jorgeenriqueaguilera amazing history and with the help of @Brettafett came across this.​

Tha jacket came without creases in the sleeves, the zipper still has blackened teeth. Cuffs, knit & mouton immaculate. In fact it almost seems unworn which then worried me. Is this a defective jacket?
There are no defects I can find except for the very slight wonky zip detail. Beginners luck maybe. The fit is perfect, slightly ‘athletic’ snug but great for work. Now a question that would only make sense on this jacket forum…’SHOULD I WEAR IT?’

 

[London Cabbie]

 

[Lord Flashheart]

That is one very nice jacket Cabbie. Congratulations it's in lovely condition. Looks a good fit and just right in the cockpit (taxi or aircraft). As I posted here a few months back I picked up an L.W.Foster 7823 and I've been asking myself the same question.

Why not? If it's part of your jacket rotation (say) and provided you don't forget to respect its age when you're wearing it. That's just a bit of day to day forethought. For example I wouldn't wear my L.W. Foster cleaning my car or fettling my bike but I do wear my Martin Lane.

 

[Grant]

Whoa, what a beautiful 1961 Irvin Foster, and early A model to boot! I say wear it now and then and enjoy it.

 

[Maverickson]

Great jacket! The last of the collectible vintage USN model flight jackets on my list.

Cheers, Dave

 

[mulceber]

Agree with the above - wear it. It can handle it.

Oh and gorgeous acquisition, btw.

 

[B-Man2]

Stu
Out friggin standing !!
That’s gem of a rare jacket in mint condition. I’m with the rest of the guys .
It would be my occasional wearer. I think you already have a 5 Star G-1 don’t you?
If so, the 5 Star would be my daily wearer and I’d pull this one out when I didn’t have a lot to do that puts wear on it, like getting in and out of the cab etc.

 

[London Cabbie]

Thankyou.
The credit is entirely for @Brettafett.

The leather is NOT dry at all. wore it all day in cab & on sofa to allow body moisture to help the wrinkles smooth out. To be honest it is so comfortable and soft I didn’t want to take it off. Wife forced me to remove before bed The leather is much thinner than expected, however it feels very robust.
Was going to give it a rubdown with Eastman conditioner or Vaseline just because we are into warmer UK days. What’s your thoughts..?

 

[B-Man2]

If the leather is soft and not dry I would leave it alone. Just my opinion.

 

[Flightengineer]

Beautiful jacket, fits you, enjoy it mate. The early jackets were indeed more lightweight than the later ones, at least the ones I had, and I had a lot of them.
About Vaseline, I completely agree with Burt.

 

[MaydayWei]

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Congratulations! Wear her in the best of health, my friend.
Like everyone else has said above, that is a great fit (if a little snug); but that's the way its meant to be worn in the cockpit of your cab or your F-8 Crusader. Stunning grain and, in that condition, its perfect for everyday wear.
Wear her and enjoy every single moment of it!
So glad to see you back on here!

 

[CombatWombat]

Congratulations! That's a lovely G1 you managed to pick up Cabbie!
And I know what you mean by "feels thin but still feels robust" because my 60's Brill Bros is a similar beast.... leather is thinner/more flexible than my 80/90's Orchard,but is still bombproof

 

[MikeyB-17]

Blimey, what a corker. By all means wear it (will help the creases drop out), just not day in, day out. It is, as already stated,a rare beast, especially in that condition.

 

[MediumMech]

Outstanding. Wear it!

 

[London Cabbie]

 

[Micawber]

Just catching up....

Lovely jacket Cabbie, an excellent catch that ought to be worn.

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

Very nice contract Cabbie! A's and B's tend to be very snug which in my case I prefer. Classy!