Which brand produce or reproduce best M-65?

[jwamznalx]

Alpha has its M-65 field jacket and so as Bronson. Alpha's costs about $225 and Bronson cost

Alpha: https://www.alphaindustries.com/products/mens-m-65-field-jacket-heritage

Bronson: https://bronsonshop.com/collections...65-us-army-1st-model-og-107-m-65-field-jacket

cockpit usa: I won't link it here since it cost $500 and everyone hates this brand

Do we know which brand has better M-65 jacket and do we have other options other than above?

 

[2BM2K]

There is https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/ku-m65-ny-m65-jacket-nyco-sateen.html

I have one, it is a good well made jacket complete with liner.

 

[Chandler]

I have an original issue in Woodland camo I'll sell you for $200.

Seriously, have M-65s dropped off in surplus availability? I had one from 1975 I wish I'd kept.

 

[mulceber]

I have an original issue in Woodland camo I'll sell you for $200.

Seriously, have M-65s dropped off in surplus availability? I had one from 1975 I wish I'd kept.

Most things have dropped off surplus ability, as far as I can tell. Surplus stores have gone the way of the dodo, it seems.

 

[Chandler]

Most things have dropped off surplus ability, as far as I can tell. Surplus stores have gone the way of the dodo, it seems.

Got one just over the border in WI from me that I need to visit, but I actually meant surplus anywhere -- like eBay, even.

 

[coolhandluke]

There's honestly no reason to purchase a repro M-65, unless you just want a new jacket. Surplus examples are all over eBay (for well under $100 USD) and I still encounter them regularly in surplus stores, and vintage shops here in the states.

 

[Happy Hooligan]

I have two Vietnam era M65's for sale if you want the real deal. Both actually made by Alpha.

 

[Shanghai-Mayne]

There's honestly no reason to purchase a repro M-65, unless you just want a new jacket. Surplus examples are all over eBay (for well under $100 USD) and I still encounter them regularly in surplus stores, and vintage shops here in the states.

second

 

[ZuZu]

There's honestly no reason to purchase a repro M-65, unless you just want a new jacket. Surplus examples are all over eBay (for well under $100 USD) and I still encounter them regularly in surplus stores, and vintage shops here in the states.

I've even found relatively pristine 1960s ones in vintage stores which don't know militaria within the last 5 years. For 50 bucks or so.

 

[coolhandluke]

I've even found relatively pristine 1960s ones in vintage stores which don't know militaria within the last 5 years. For 50 bucks or so.

IIRC, I paid $20-$25 for my '67 dated M-65 with a steel Conmar zip. That was probably 10 years ago though. The 70's and 80's dated copies with brass zippers are normally priced in the $35 - $50 range when I run across them locally.

 

[Erwin]

Even these made by Real McCoy's are so-so, in my opinion, there are no great reproductions of the m65 field coat - nothing beats a genuine contract jacket [these can not lose value]. Why pay more for reproduction if you can find cheap genuine contract jackets at a really low price? Especially in the USA.

BTW Alpha jackets are not the best ones, those made in 1967 by sub-contractors are more interesting [from the collecting perspective], or those with no epaulets [from the initial production run]. The most accurate reproductions were made a few years back in Vietnam. These were sold by a few repro makers as their products with a tag added

 

[nanoshores]

Perhaps old news now but Alpha currently makes M-65's that have thinner cloth than the original runs. Also the button holes in the back of the collar, just beside the epaulets, are absent so it is not possible to attach a winter hood properly. That leaves you to looking at Helikon if you want a reproduction at a reasonable price with all the original features. Otherwise as stated there are plenty of original M-65s for sale on ebay etc. Just avoid the "vintage" shops on the internet that charge you for "authentic Vietnam era M-65s" these invariably cost too much.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

There's honestly no reason to purchase a repro M-65, unless you just want a new jacket. Surplus examples are all over eBay (for well under $100 USD) and I still encounter them regularly in surplus stores, and vintage shops here in the states.

my word!

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Bought 2022 on EPAY - payed less than 50 bucks - came with the liner - was issued to the SEABEES - size "L" (they run huuuuuuge) - needed a round in the washer but other than that pretty good condition

And i got another one in Woodland from our fellow forum-member @B-Man2 in like new condition for less than 100.- bucks

That's why i see bo reason for checking for a repop that is possible 3 times the price of an original issued one