adfrost
Well-Known Member
As hinted in my "What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?" post, I recently acquired a batch of G-1s from a seller on eBay: a size 44 Star Sportswear, a size 44 Martin Lane Co, and a size 46 Brill Bros Inc. They're all D models, so not super rare or anything, but they're all in great shape. I asked the seller for measurements, determined they would probably fit, and all three basically do. Considering they averaged out to $190ish per jacket, I think I scored a pretty good deal. After having limited success with the fit of reproduction jackets I'm thrilled to have a set of originals that actually fit!
They appear to have come from the collection of one Andy Andraska. All I know about him is what's on the name tag, assuming they are legit: He was an Aviation Fire Control Chief Petty Officer. No idea if he served with Attack Squadron 85, but he had the patch. I'm not sure what the "etiquette" is with name tags and such since these are my first jackets with them. Keep them on? Replace them with some sort of civilian name tag of my own? Would love people's input on that. Probably a bigger deal with a WWII-era jacket than late Vietnam-era jackets. If anyone can tell me more about these, I'm all ears. Based on the labels, I'm guessing the Lane is from '68, the Star is from '69, and the Brill is from '70?
First up, the Star. This is probably my favorite. The goatskin has a lot of character and looks just like the old jackets I saw on display on the USS Hornet. The honey collar is something I've been wanting and that really caught my eye. Zipper was a little bent, but I fixed that. There is some minor moth damage on the knits, but not enough to need replacement any time soon. It fits the most trim of the jackets, but it's still wearable. I wouldn't have minded another half inch in length and and inch shorter on the arms, but neither is a deal breaker. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter View - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Second, the Martin Lane. The collar is darker on this, but looks & feels brand new. Fit is between the Star & Brill. The goatskin doesn't quite have the character of the Star, but that's from just difference in wear. It's pristine jacket in every way. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter Front - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Last up, the Brill. I'm guessing this has a dynel collar, but it doesn't look or feel appreciably worse than the other two. Definitely the most comfortable fit, being a 46 (which is probably my ideal size). I actually really like the patch now that I've seen it in person. I'm pretty sure the leather is of the steerhide variety, also in pristine shape and definitely not "bad" leather by any means. It only pales when compared to real goatskin. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter Front - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
They appear to have come from the collection of one Andy Andraska. All I know about him is what's on the name tag, assuming they are legit: He was an Aviation Fire Control Chief Petty Officer. No idea if he served with Attack Squadron 85, but he had the patch. I'm not sure what the "etiquette" is with name tags and such since these are my first jackets with them. Keep them on? Replace them with some sort of civilian name tag of my own? Would love people's input on that. Probably a bigger deal with a WWII-era jacket than late Vietnam-era jackets. If anyone can tell me more about these, I'm all ears. Based on the labels, I'm guessing the Lane is from '68, the Star is from '69, and the Brill is from '70?
First up, the Star. This is probably my favorite. The goatskin has a lot of character and looks just like the old jackets I saw on display on the USS Hornet. The honey collar is something I've been wanting and that really caught my eye. Zipper was a little bent, but I fixed that. There is some minor moth damage on the knits, but not enough to need replacement any time soon. It fits the most trim of the jackets, but it's still wearable. I wouldn't have minded another half inch in length and and inch shorter on the arms, but neither is a deal breaker. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter View - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Second, the Martin Lane. The collar is darker on this, but looks & feels brand new. Fit is between the Star & Brill. The goatskin doesn't quite have the character of the Star, but that's from just difference in wear. It's pristine jacket in every way. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter Front - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Last up, the Brill. I'm guessing this has a dynel collar, but it doesn't look or feel appreciably worse than the other two. Definitely the most comfortable fit, being a 46 (which is probably my ideal size). I actually really like the patch now that I've seen it in person. I'm pretty sure the leather is of the steerhide variety, also in pristine shape and definitely not "bad" leather by any means. It only pales when compared to real goatskin. Full album of fit & close-up pics is on Flickr.
Front Closed - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
Quarter Front - Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr
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