B-G INC. 55J14 Korean War G-1 LIGHTLY USED LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET REPRODUCTION
You are now admiring one of my custom made size 38/40 B - G INC jackets. Please take the time & let me tell you all about it. The B - G INC was a 1950 model 55J14 type G-1 flight jacket.
As a one time premier flight equipment maker, this jacket represents their one and only mil spec USN flight jacket contract. Notably the 55J14 model G-1 was the first redesigned series of USN jackets immediately following WW-2. Presumably this model jacket was let once WW-2 era flight jackets were used up.
Better tailored to fit it's intended use over most earlier WW-2 era jackets. This B - G INC. Jacket is truly a between the Wars mil spec made jacket, issued just prior to the Korean War and during a time when naval aviation had been diminished to pre WW-2 levels. By 1950 the number of active duty aviators were at an all time low.Likewise, this particular make jacket is from an extremely low volume contract and as a result seldom if ever seen come available. As with all of my reproductions I have taken the time to study this B - G INC. Rather by taking an original jacket down to it's individual pieces, then patterning and in this case then rebuilding it complete. One of the several original B-G Inc.
Jackets that I used to create this pattern is seen in a comparison pic withing the descriptive images. This particular vintage flight jacket maker utilized the classic design as the WW-2 era M-422A.Yet, with it's maker's own spin. To include having multiple individualized unique.
Characteristics and transitional by design. To create this 55J14 model jacket verses the WW-2 type can be found in the sleeves. With more taper set into sleeve ends and having an ever so slightly shorter body length. Yet that body length is still slightly longer than all later model G-1s.An interesting fact about the original B - G INC jackets was it's hide. In this case, arguably the last maker to utilized vegetable tanned goat hides for their builds. Not seen with every jacket from this same maker but more often than not. The beauty behind it & much like those originals, your jacket will develop patina and actually get better looking with wear.
To that end, this reproduction jacket was built using a heavy to medium weight chocolate brown vegetable tanned hide. Which once worn in will closely duplicate those originals which used a like hide.
This jacket was constructed with a correct era NOS brass Talon zipper assembly. This fine zipper is a hold out & last of it's kind. An absolute through back, as this same zipper was used by most all late WW-2 era AN model USN type jackets. Also in keeping with being transitional, this jacket was the absolute last G-1 to use a combination of cotton and nylon thread to stitch it together and followed here with this build.I had built this jacket for one of my clients. That damage is seen in the last two images.
Found on the back belt. That damage is to the top coat only. If not shown in a close up image that problem area would be barely. Noticeable and can be made to almost disappear with some dye work. Now offered here at discounted price.
The jacket's dimensions are as follows. Pits:21" or 43" in circumference. Hem: 39 in circumference (where the leather meets the waist knits). Sleeve Length 24 1/2 (measured using the arch of the entire sleeve). Back Length 25 1/2 (base of collar to end of knits).
I also have other examples of this same B-G Inc. Jacket & further explanation regarding this make flight jacket as a new build. While at it please look over the other reproduction jackets I offer. 55J14 Korean War G-1 LIGHTLY USED LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET REPRODUCTION" is in sale since Saturday, November 27, 2021. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Korea (1950-53)\Reproductions".The seller is "sheeley8yv5" and is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States