• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Help needed for choice betwen AVI and Fivestar 55J14 G1

Ritchy

Well-Known Member
Hi there,
My name is Richard, I live in Burgundy. I own a 1944 Jeep Willys MB and am drawn to authentic things that have a story, even though I'm not a collector. I came across this forum by accident while researching the US Navy G1 jacket. While waiting to find an original, I want to buy a copy. My choice is oriented on the 55J14 from AVILeather which seems quite faithful to the original and of fairly good quality, but I discovered Fivestar which seems to have a lot of success with the community.
I therefore seek your opinion on these two G1s and thank you in advance for your contributions.

Best regards
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hi there,
My name is Richard, I live in Burgundy. I own a 1944 Jeep Willys MB and am drawn to authentic things that have a story, even though I'm not a collector. I came across this forum by accident while researching the US Navy G1 jacket. While waiting to find an original, I want to buy a copy. My choice is oriented on the 55J14 from AVILeather which seems quite faithful to the original and of fairly good quality, but I discovered Fivestar which seems to have a lot of success with the community.
I therefore seek your opinion on these two G1s and thank you in advance for your contributions.

Best regards
Why not just buy an original ? They are available for about the same price or in some cases cheaper .
 

Ritchy

Well-Known Member
Good evening B-Man2
So far I haven't found anything in my size from France (44L or 46R).
 

Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
Salut Richard et bienvenue ! :)

I am not a G-1 specialist, but here you will find people who have a lot of knowledge about this jacket.
Fivestar and AVI are very good references for a quality jacket at a good price.
If you want something higher end, then there is Eastman Leather.
But if you want the best, check out Goodwear Leather.

Then, if your goal is to find an original, you should follow B-Man2's advice. Go straight for an original.
It's a jacket that is still fairly easy to find for a reasonable price.
 

MaydayWei

Well-Known Member
Hello!
The best for Navy Jackets is, as @Kermit3D says, Goodwear Leather or Sheely Brothers @Maverickson.
Between AVI and 5 Star depends on whether you need custom measurements.
If so, 5 Star is the way to go. If not, go AVI (closer to France).
Note that neither are perfect and, though mileage may vary, both have quality control issues. That said, both also have great customer service for fixing such issues.
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
It’s true later Dynel-collared G-1’s can be picked up reasonably cheaply, but this chap’s looking for a 55J14, and they are not going cheaply at all as far as I can tell. I doubt he’d find an original 55J14 for the price of an AVI or Five Star. Personally I’ve been eyeing up AVI’s jackets for a while, and that’s the way I’d go.
 

Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
Maverickson has indeed shown us sublime reproductions of G-1 !
Well... I may sound ignorant, but Maverickson only makes G-1s ? does he have a web page where you can see the beautiful jackets he makes ?
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Maverickson has indeed shown us sublime reproductions of G-1 !
Well... I may sound ignorant, but Maverickson only makes G-1s ? does he have a web page where you can see the beautiful jackets he makes ?
He makes a variety of WWII USN jackets.
 

Ritchy

Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your contributions. I don't have an unlimited budget and I'm not specifically looking for an original 55J14. I quoted this model which I like is still affordable in copy. For the moment, I limit my research of G1 whatever the model on the European market which remains more affordable but less rich.
 

mulceber

Moderator
Between the two options you listed, AVI is the better one, imho. I'll echo the advice you've received above about originals, Good Wear, Sheeley Bros., but if you want a close enough option quick with little fuss, AVI is your bet. You might consider both/and: buy an AVI now, and put down a deposit on a jacket from either John Chapman or Dave Sheeley.
 

Brettafett

Well-Known Member
Hey Ritchy,

Second most of the above.

If you can find an original, in good condition, thats the way to go.
Just be aware (from experience... Replacing knits, zipper and/ or mouton is very costly this side of the pond, and finding someone to do, precarious. And this is not to mention if the jacket needs a good clean)

Top end makers all covered above.

Another mid range option is Cockpit USA's 100 Mission G-1 (same as Top Gun heroes but without the patches). Its a classic, well made and very cool.
Capachat (Stéphane) in France can get them. Also someone in Madrid stocks Cockpit, and there's some in Germany.

To answer your original question.
AVI. Ive had almost all their jackets. And they will do some customisation if requested, but Id stick to std size and adding length if need be. The 55J14 runs small, as is the nature of the pattern, wide shoulders, narrow torso, so go up a size at least, maybe two sizes. The mouton fur is excellent, better than ELC/ Cockpit by a mile.
With AVI (as long as its a std size), its easy returns/ refunds.

Also, Im not sure if Fivestar has found their own 55J14 to copy, but their 55J14 G-1 WAS based on one of AVI's earlier repros (which is copied off their original. All their jackets are copied off original in their collection). So rather get the copy, than the copy of a copy.

[the above is not intended as a 5* dig, some of their A-2s look great, they have worked with some original jackets sent to them by customers, and they do great custom work.
All depends what your after at the end of the day]
 
Top