Willis and Geiger M445

[JrdnLb]

I just came across this forum and was hoping someone would be able to help me verify the age of this M445. I was thinking 70’s/80’s. Maybe help will valuation as well? Thanks if you need any more pictures than the tags, let me know. I can take more

 

[SteveN]

You'll need to post more pictures, unless a label expert can help just based on that. That collar looks a bit suspect, as does the "made in USA" tag.

 

[SteveN]

Opps. I read that as M422 instead of M445. My comments aren't relevant.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I think it was the mail order W&G and I think that maybe US Authentic made them? Not 100% authentic but a GREAT jacket. Post some more photos if you can.

 

[daw]

I've got one exactly like it, except the size portion of the label was cut off. I think 80's vintage. I paid $350 for mine in near-new condition on ebay not too long ago. Another in more used condition sold for about $400 recently on ebay. My W&G m444 is very similar too and I got that for something like $390 a few years ago so I'm thinking $400 might be a reasonable valuation for the W&G m445. I agree, a great jacket, my go-to at the moment.

 

[John Lever]

Had a couple of these. My observations would be, no collar backing, raw cut edges to facings, sheepskin button holes at base of zip.
Nice sheepskin, light to wear usually not expensive.
W & G were a WW2 contractor.

アメリカ海軍 ウィリス＆ガイガー WILLIS＆GEIGE... - ヤフオク!

アメリカ海軍のM-445になります。両袖口に若干のスレや全体に使用感が有りますが破れ等の破損は有りません。背中は一枚革を使っています。新品レベルの品質をお求めの方はご遠慮願います。写真にてご判断頂き、ノークレーム・ノーリターンでお願いします。メーカー：ウイリス＆ガイガー サイズ：４０参考 身幅：５８ｃｍ 着丈：６８ｃｍ 素人採寸ですので誤差はお許し下さい。また大変勝手では有りますが、無用なトラブルを避けたいので評価を見させて頂きこちら側から入札を取消させて

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

 

[daw]

I know it's not that accurate, but it seems these 80's W&G m445/m444 fly under the radar and don't get a lot of love around here. I think they're fine-looking. The fleece is pretty thick compared to the originals but that comes in very handy these days living in Minnesota!

 

[John Lever]

I know it's not that accurate, but it seems these 80's W&G m445/m444 fly under the radar and don't get a lot of love around here. I think they're fine-looking. The fleece is pretty thick compared to the originals but that comes in very handy these days living in Minnesota!

Yes I agree

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have a US Authentic M 444 now and it is one nice sheepskin though not 100% accurate looks great. The sheepskin is to heavy compared to originals (which I really like) and the zipper's a paper clip type #10 and the side straps hardware are not right. Still it is my fav of all the sheepskin repros I have owned over the years and some of the old timers round here know that I have had a few. They are also a good price compared to many of the others.

 

[daw]

Vtg Willis & Geiger WWII Style US Navy M-445 Heavy Winter Flight Jacket Sz 40 B3 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vtg Willis & Geiger WWII Style US Navy M-445 Heavy Winter Flight Jacket Sz 40 B3 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Here's one on for $350 on ebay right now-in line with my recent experiences.

 

[John Lever]

The sheepskin lower panel let's it down, should be goat.

 

[busdrivermike]

I was thinking about this style being my next jacket
Noble house makes one I like, the underarm gussets
Would be nice

 

[warrior-poet]

Had a couple of these. My observations would be, no collar backing, raw cut edges to facings, sheepskin button holes at base of zip.
Nice sheepskin, light to wear usually not expensive.
W & G were a WW2 contractor.

アメリカ海軍 ウィリス＆ガイガー WILLIS＆GEIGE... - ヤフオク!

アメリカ海軍のM-445になります。両袖口に若干のスレや全体に使用感が有りますが破れ等の破損は有りません。背中は一枚革を使っています。新品レベルの品質をお求めの方はご遠慮願います。写真にてご判断頂き、ノークレーム・ノーリターンでお願いします。メーカー：ウイリス＆ガイガー サイズ：４０参考 身幅：５８ｃｍ 着丈：６８ｃｍ 素人採寸ですので誤差はお許し下さい。また大変勝手では有りますが、無用なトラブルを避けたいので評価を見させて頂きこちら側から入札を取消させて

page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp

The W&G repro is not bad, though it does have a few historical inaccuracies, as John noted. To begin with, it is labeled an M-445 (which, I believe, should have diamond-shaped elbow reinforces)--I've only documented the full-sleeve reinforces on orig. W&G M-445a and M-445B jackets (W&G used a lower case 'a' and upper case 'B' on their labels)--the same type that was carried over to the AN-J-4. Just to keep things interesting, I have documented jackets labeled M-445A that have all the earlier features (diamond sleeve reinforces, etc.) on jackets made by a variety of contractors (H.L.B. Corp., Monarch, Fried Ostermann, Gordon & Ferguson, etc.), so there appears to a transitional thing goin' on. There are also several variants of the AN-J-4--without the benefit of a nomenclature distinction.

John, I have documented at least one (I don't have time to check my files for others at present) original W&G M-445B whose sleeve reinforces have raw, unfinished edges. I cannot say off the top of my head whether this was typical of W&G production of this model or whether this one is an anomaly--I don't believe I've ever seen this on M-445a/B or AN-J-4s by any other contractor. In my experience over the past decade or so, these W&G repros typically bring around $175-$200 in good to very good condition (in the US)--yes, some bring more (prices reflect what the market will bear at any given time--it's always a crapshoot). Hope this helps. Stay safe, fellas.

 

[John Lever]

I discussed these points with JC some years ago, he pointed out that some original versions are as I described.

 

[PeterRocco]

Hello. I just bought this Willis and Geiger M445. It’s in real nice condition.