M-445 Mint Flight Jacket - Original or Reproduction?

[Kt7]

I’m cleaning out my father's closet and found a beautifully preserved Bu Aero- U.S. Navy M445 Winter jacket, size 38. It’s in excellent condition with Scovill zip front. It has a one inch minor surface scratch on the back but otherwise it’s impeccable. No stains or tears and leather is soft. I’d like to see this jacket get into the hands of someone who can really appreciate it. Any suggestions how to go about selling this beauty?

How can I tell if this is original or reproduction? My deceased uncle owned the jacket so I don't have any additional information.

This jacket hasn't seen the light of day since the 1960's. I even found a few 60's coins in the pocket!

Best,
Katy

PS. I also found a very cool mint vintage motorcycle riding jacket from the 50's that I'll post in another thread.

 

[Wz1999]

Beautiful jacket!

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

Hi Katy!

Welcome to the forum!
That is a nice jacket, although most likely is a repro from the 80's-90's. You can try posting the measurements (pit to pit, sleeve, shoulders, back length), that might be helpful for the potential buyers here. Also, you can try posting on ebay and some Fb groups. GLWYS!

Regards,
Jorge

 

[Kt7]

Hi Katy!

Welcome to the forum!
That is a nice jacket, although most likely is a repro from the 80's-90's. You can try posting the measurements (pit to pit, sleeve, shoulders, back length), that might be helpful for the potential buyers here. Also, you can try posting on ebay and some Fb groups. GLWYS!

Regards,
Jorge

Hello Jorge,

Thank you for the feedback! Do you know of any reputable sellers in Los Angeles that could take a look at it in person? How do you distinguish between an original and repro? I'd keep it if it wasn't too big for me. It's really beautiful and warm!

Measurements:
26 Armpit to Armpit
20 Shoulder to Shoulder
24.5 Shoulder to Cuff
26 Back - Under collar to bottom seam

Thanks again!
Katy

 

[B-Man2]

Hi Katy
Your jacket is a repro as Jorge has advised . It’s a good repro as it was made by Willis and Geiger a manufacturer that actually made those types of jackets during the war . The only question that comes to mind is that while the jacket is marked at a size 38, the measurements you listed are closer to those of a size 44 or 46 . If you are looking to sell your jacket this would be a good place, as all of us are into military flight jackets or vintage jackets . The hiccup is that we have a rule that you must be on the forum for a certain length of time before you can sell a jacket . However , there a work around that you can do by having a potential buyer PM you with his contact info and go outside of the forum and conduct the sale. So I hope that answers you questions and good luck with whatever you choose to do with the jacket.
On another note we always like to hear about veterans military stories, so if you have one that you’d like to share with us about your dads service or the group he was with, please feel free to post it.
Regards

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

The zipper is the first indicator (modern Scovill) and also the design of the jacket is slightly different to the original WWII version. This is a pic of a WWII W&G 87669, so you can compare to yours. Nevertheless, yours is a nice jacket.
Also here is the website of W&G with their reproductions (scroll down and you will find the same M-445).

Willis&Geiger The Legend Collection

Willis&Geigerは、1902年北極探検家ベン・ウィリスによって創設された本格アウトドアブランド。 アメリカ軍からの要請でパイロット達の防寒性の高い飛行服をも手がけるようになり、更にブランドステイタスを上げていった。

willis-and-geiger.com

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

By the way, there were two designs of the M-455 series.

The 87669 was the version 1.

 

[daw]

Definitely a W&G repro, probably from the late 80's. I've got one just like it but bigger. I paid about $425 for mine in excellent condition, and seen others sell in that ballpark. I would expect its value to be around that figure, likely not more than $500 even if it's in really good shape.

Great jacket, very warm and comfortable. Maybe not the most accurate repro but good enough for 99% of the population.

 

[Kt7]

Definitely a W&G repro, probably from the late 80's. I've got one just like it but bigger. I paid about $425 for mine in excellent condition, and seen others sell in that ballpark. I would expect its value to be around that figure, likely not more than $500 even if it's in really good shape.

Great jacket, very warm and comfortable. Maybe not the most accurate repro but good enough for 99% of the population.

 

[Kt7]

I’m not looking to make quick money. I’m inquiring to make sure that something historically valuable isn’t overlooked. Thank you for your guidance.

 

[Kt7]

Hi Katy
Your jacket is a repro as Jorge has advised . It’s a good repro as it was made by Willis and Geiger a manufacturer that actually made those types of jackets during the war . The only question that comes to mind is that while the jacket is marked at a size 38, the measurements you listed are closer to those of a size 44 or 46 . If you are looking to sell your jacket this would be a good place, as all of us are into military flight jackets or vintage jackets . The hiccup is that we have a rule that you must be on the forum for a certain length of time before you can sell a jacket . However , there a work around that you can do by having a potential buyer PM you with his contact info and go outside of the forum and conduct the sale. So I hope that answers you questions and good luck with whatever you choose to do with the jacket.
On another note we always like to hear about veterans military stories, so if you have one that you’d like to share with us about your dads service or the group he was with, please feel free to post it.
Regards

 

[Juanito]

205ed, but the modern Scoville zipper is a dead giveaway.

 

[Kt7]

B-Man2,
I’m sorry, my measurements may be off.I did my best. I’m not a seamstress.
thank you for your guidance!

 

[B-Man2]

B-Man2,
I’m sorry, my measurements may be off.I did my best. I’m not a seamstress.
thank you for your guidance!

No problem … good luck with your sale .

 

[Kt7]

The zipper is the first indicator (modern Scovill) and also the design of the jacket is slightly different to the original WWII version. This is a pic of a WWII W&G 87669, so you can compare to yours. Nevertheless, yours is a nice jacket.
Also here is the website of W&G with their reproductions (scroll down and you will find the same M-445).

Willis&Geiger The Legend Collection

Willis&Geigerは、1902年北極探検家ベン・ウィリスによって創設された本格アウトドアブランド。 アメリカ軍からの要請でパイロット達の防寒性の高い飛行服をも手がけるようになり、更にブランドステイタスを上げていった。

willis-and-geiger.com

View attachment 69225

Excellent information! I really appreciate your insight!

 

[daw]

Here's a fit pic of my W&G m445. Easily cool enough in MN to justify wearing it today!

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

Excellent information! I really appreciate your insight!

You are very welcome, this might help you to get the correct measurements.