Navy jackets question

[stanier]

I really like Navy G-1 type jackets from M422 through all the type variants. However, I prefer shorter fitting jackets and I wonder of the 40's and 50's variants and contracts is there one generally recognised as being patterned shorter than the others?

 

[mulceber]

L.W. Foster 55J14 for sure - short torso, big square shoulders.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Stanier,

I am no expert on USN skins, but my Monarch MIL-J-7823 (AER) is smaller than any other size 40 AN6552-55J14-G-1. I have four in total and had 6 at one time.

I know others will get granular with specs!

HTH

D

 

[CK90]

L.W. Foster 55J14 for sure - short torso, big square shoulders.

Beautiful jacket, too. Once of the nicest contracts.

 

[mulceber]

Beautiful jacket, too. Once of the nicest contracts.

 

[CK90]

Need we say anymore, @stanier? I think you might have found what you were looking for!

And if that wasn't enough, here's more:

Index of /2024_LW_Foster_55J14_42

 

[mulceber]

One of those would look great with '40s/'50s-cut selvage jeans and a pair of engineer boots.

 

[stanier]

I do like that very much. Thank you gentlemen, much appreciated!

 

[stanier]

One of those would look great with '40s/'50s-cut selvage jeans and a pair of engineer boots.

You know me too well Jan...

 

[CK90]

I do like that very much. Thank you gentlemen, much appreciated!

Time to put down a fresh deposit with J.C?

 

[mulceber]

You know me too well Jan...

It's an iconic look.

 

[stanier]

Time to put down a fresh deposit with J.C?

I've actually got a queued deposit with John, but I've changed my mind so many times what I want, he's probably completely bemused with me but always a joy to work with and so helpful.

What are my chances of finding a mint and clean (none smelly!) of these L W Fosters 55J14 original in probably a size 40?

Cheers

 

[mulceber]

Possible - Foster had a bunch of contracts (like 3-4 55J14 contracts, and then they started making 7823s in a different pattern in the early-mid '50s). The trouble is, Tom Cruise's jacket in Top Gun was a Foster, so they're in demand. FWIW, the pattern you're looking for should have a vertical stitch in the lefthand pocket (sort of like an A-1 or a G&F M-422A), so that's an easy way to identify Fosters 55J14s.

 

[coolhandluke]

Need we say anymore, @stanier? I think you might have found what you were looking for!

And if that wasn't enough, here's more:

Index of /2024_LW_Foster_55J14_42

+1 on the Foster. That's honestly the only thing that came to mind for me.

 

[CK90]

I love flight jackets but the U.S.N intermediate jackets specifically will always be my favourite. Have an order coming up with J.C next year and I cannot wait!!

 

[CK90]

I've actually got a queued deposit with John, but I've changed my mind so many times what I want, he's probably completely bemused with me but always a joy to work with and so helpful.

What are my chances of finding a mint and clean (none smelly!) of these L W Fosters 55J14 original in probably a size 40?

Cheers

Also just got my hands on an original L.W Foster from the early 50’s. I wear a 44 and it measures 25.5 back length, so even the later models are short enough.

They can definitely be found without too much hassle Stanier!