My thinking regarding (attempting?) a re-dye:
If you want to give it a try, go for it. Might be a good idea though to consult an expert on dying goatskin or even send it to one so they can do it.
- it's your jacket, you don't like the way it looks, which means you won't want to wear it, and it'll just take up closet space. And I can't say as I blame you - you make the color sound like boiled peas, and that really doesn't sound pleasant.
- the historical aspect isn't really in play here: it's not a wartime jacket (1984? Ok, maybe someone wore it for Desert Storm), it's not goatskin, it sounds like it doesn't have a fur collar, and E-series jackets are very common. Will it be rare someday? Yeah, but everything becomes rare eventually. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you want with it now.
99% sure it's not mouton.I'm kinda shocked that it has a mouton collar, given that it's evidently an E-series jacket. I'm guessing it's a replacement? Yeah, a re-dye wouldn't be the worst idea.
IMO not worth any effort- just enjoy as is. 1980's G-1s are just not really within the quality time period- even this RE. The leather is probably pressed cowhide. You're lucky on the collar as it doesn't look half bad! But again- IMO- 1980s G-1s weren't really flight jackets anymore- you'd be better off putting any money on a nice G-1 7823 'B' thru 'D' series on ebay or from somebody here.Recently bought this from a retired A-6 pilot currently residing in the Antipodes. (On top of it fitting really well, for NZ$120, I couldn't resist!) The waistband and cuffs have been replaced, and I absolutely love the mouton, but the leather has faded into an ugly greenish brown (the pics/lighting doesn't really show it) which I don't really like. The label is a bit faded, so it's a bit hard to make out what the contract number is.
So, Forum chaps, should I have this re-dyed to it's original seal brown glory, or leave it and potentially never wear it?
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Maybe you test an inconspicuous area with some alcohol or something. See if someone has possibly tried to dye it green at some point?
Well that jacket's from 1984, so I'd be really shocked to see an original mouton collar on that one.
Certainly does look greenHere are some more pics. Pic of jacket on my car’s bonnet (or “hood” to my North American friends) is closer to what it looks like irl
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99% sure it's not mouton.
IMO not worth any effort- just enjoy as is. 1980's G-1s are just not really within the quality time period- even this RE. The leather is probably pressed cowhide. You're lucky on the collar as it doesn't look half bad! But again- IMO- 1980s G-1s weren't really flight jackets anymore- you'd be better off putting any money on a nice G-1 7823 'B' thru 'D' series on ebay or from somebody here.
Funny you should mention that. My buddy from New Zealand just arrived for a visit.I used to scour Ebay a lot, but I’ve sadly stopped doing so as the cost of shipping to NZ has gone a bit nuts since 2020.
It looks pretty good! It's a Ralph Edwards! It's fine as is. The mouton looks pretty real and not ugly. I'd just wear it.Here are some more pics. Pic of jacket on my car’s bonnet (or “hood” to my North American friends) is closer to what it looks like irl
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If I had it and I re-dyed or changed the mouton it I'd immediately have buyer's remorse because my brain would then tell me: "It's not the way it was intended to be... I wanna put it back..." But I'm crazy!I used to scour Ebay a lot, but I’ve sadly stopped doing so as the cost of shipping to NZ has gone a bit nuts since 2020.
It’s a roomy 44, unfortunately. But I can take measurements if you like.From the photos it ain’t look awful in any way to me - actually it’s a interesting variation …
I like the collar in particular …
If the jacket would be in 46 I’d ask you whether you might sell it and I’d definitely wear it the way it looks now
Coincidence my wife is a redhead too …It’s a roomy 44, unfortunately. But I can take measurements if you like.
I also love the collar. Big fan of redheads. I also happened to be married to one![]()