@bazzer is absolutely right, I second everything he said.
How do I put this? There are 2 distinctions, genuine vs. fake, and genuine issue vs. commercial mil-spec.
Simply because a jacket is genuine, does not make it genuine issue.
Allow me to explain. Each 'product' has a product code.
G-1 in size 36: 8415-268-7797
8145: Clothing, Special purpose
268: denotes G-1
7797: Denotes a size 36
For CWU-45/Ps it is: 8415-01-608-XXXX
8415: Clothing, special purpose
01-608: denotes CWU-45/P (poly aramid)
XXXX will denote changes in size
So, for example, a CWU-45/P (in small) will have a product code that says: 8415-01-608-2481
a CWU-45/P (in medium) will have a product code that says: 8415-01-608-2482
a CWU-45/P (in large) oddly has a code that says: 8415-01-608-2484
The point is that those last 4 numbers which denote size will NOT change in a 'fake' or 'reproduction jacket.
Even the REAL MCCOY and EASTMAN leathers produce jackets that do no account for the change in the final 4 numbers with changes in size
An Eastman Elite Units G-1's code will always say: 8415-268-7800 regardless of changes in size.
Accordingly, the fact that the CWU above has a correct product code which correctly reflects its size: MED: 8415-01-608-2482 makes it
genuine and not one of the many fakes circulating on the Japanese reproduction domestic market.
However, simply because its genuine does not make it genuine issue.
As
@bazzer very correctly pointed out above, VAL codes indicate commercial market.
So, you have a
genuine Valley Mil-Spec, but
commercial market CWU-45/P before you.
I have seen this before being sold in Japan, so no worries there! Even seen it on the Bay a few times!
Finally, about what size to go for, what's your chest size?
If you need a SMALL, tough luck; 2nd gen CWUs in small are tough to find.
If you need a MED, good lord there are a ton of new-without-tags-condition jackets on Ebay right now!