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Alpha mil-J-8279D 1963 MA-1

Hello and thanks to everyone who contributes to this forum.I would describe myself as an MA-1 enthusiast more than a collector ,and own two jackets at present.
My journey here began with an Alpha MA-1 Purchased from a West Village ,NY A&N some thirty years ago.It served me well and began my love affair with what I consider to be the finest utilitarian men’s casual jacket.As with any classic,it inevitably becomes a learning curve and a rabbit hole to find the best example ,in the best condition that satisfies your needs and tastes.That is my introduction and how I ended up here.
My next investment was a Lion Uniform reproduction.A heavy beast with arms as thick as a Philly cheese steak.A solid jacket that was like driving a Bentley after previously owning a Ford.However I could never reconcile my dislike for the sleeve appliqué .
I stumbled across a denim store in Manhattan that has a similar jacket without the offending artwork by The Real McCoys.It did however carry an offensive price tag.
So back to Ebay,sell my Lion to fund the McCoys and I’m a happy man.
Patience was my friend.After a year or so an XL McCoys was found in near to mint condition.I was jubilant.
It was around the same time that I read a forum post singing the praises of early Alpha production.I found another rabbit hole"....It must be nostalgia for an orange lining.
And so here I am today with a pretty much mint XL 1963 Alpha.I am astonished at how good the condition is,which brings me to the question,were these ever reproduced ?
Also there is a faded stamp mark on the waist that I can’t figure out and a number 3 ? Can anyone offer any insight?
Thanks
 

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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hi PF
Welcome to the forum.... Alpha has reproduced a number of their MA-1 jackets over the years howeve,r I don't know if this specific
contract was reproduced by them. Is is the orange lining thing that your hooked on now ? Because I know that there are bunch of MA-1 repro's that pop up on Ebay with orange linings, if that's what you're asking.
 

917_k

Well-Known Member
Looks legit to me, because as far as I know Alpha haven’t done repros as such of their original mil contract jackets, they just ended up making a whole load for the civilian market (they did do some of the ‘vintage’ line as well, of B-15s and very early MA-1s, but those have a different label.

I’m pretty sure this is dated 1964 as well, with December 63 being the contract award date.
 
No,Ive no particular desire for any other orange lined,just thought it was nice to have one of each.I was just pleasantly surprised at the condition of this vintage piece.Having said that.the Real McCoys repro.is the best fit of the three (all XL) I have had.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
No,Ive no particular desire for any other orange lined,just thought it was nice to have one of each.I was just pleasantly surprised at the condition of this vintage piece.Having said that.the Real McCoys repro.is the best fit of the three (all XL) I have had.
I understand , my problem is that I refuse to pay double and triple the price of an original jacket for a repro of that same jacket . It just seems wrong :oops:
 

bazzer

Well-Known Member
I would go with the advice given above I to had doubts over a n-3b black label skyline my daughter purchased as it to was in excellent condition
Turned out to be very real
They are out there but it's like any treasure hunt long road with lots of dead end but chance plays it lucky hand
But the knowledge these guys have is second to none
Would be nice to see the whole jacket
Baz
 
As promised,here are some photos for reference.I have put it beside my Real McCoys jacket for comparison.Both are size XL.
I am 5’9” 165lbs.As I said before,the RM.is my preferred fit,having a longer body,narrower shoulders and a silkier feel overall.

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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
As promised,here are some photos for reference.I have put it beside my Real McCoys jacket for comparison.Both are size XL.
I am 5’9” 165lbs.As I said before,the RM.is my preferred fit,having a longer body,narrower shoulders and a silkier feel overall.

View attachment 47887View attachment 47887
PF
Both are good looking jackets . Are these basically what you like collecting or do you seek out other types of jackets as well ?
 
No,this is the only jacket that I have more that one of,and I do not consider myself a collector.My Wife might argue on that point!
Shoes and jeans are another story......
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Well both of those look pretty cool. At your size that you listed, aren’t XLs big on you ?
I would think that they would be.
 
No,not imo.I like them to roll at the waist.Its probably an age thing,but I notice the way kids today wear Harrington’s,completely different to the way they were worn back in ’72.Probably the reason they produce them in a slim cut nowadays.
I tried on a W.Gibson MA-1repro in Self Edge.It felt like a straight jacket !
 

bn1966

Well-Known Member
I’ve had a fair few Alpha repro’s and yours doesn’t look like one of them :) The best Alpha repros IMHO were ‘replica’ series early MA-1’s with accurate textiles and colour, good nylon shells and accurate heavy interlining.....unlike their ‘Vintage’ series with poly fill and way off shell colour.
 
It seems that Alpha replicated the 19 July 1968 issue of the 8279D.I have seen a few that show the in pocket facsimile information and additionally have separate care instruction labels with the modern Alpha logo.
Seemingly it was available in Replica green and Navy.
 

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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
I have an Alpha Mil-J-8279C. Nice jacket, but just taking up closet space at the moment.
Hi Monsoon
If it’s just sitting in the closet taking up space, this might be a good time to consider putting it up for sale to fund a purchase of something you have your eye on or have been thinking about . With the colder weather here, the heavier jackets tend to sell fairly quickly . Just a thought .
 

Monsoon

Well-Known Member
Hi Monsoon
If it’s just sitting in the closet taking up space, this might be a good time to consider putting it up for sale to fund a purchase of something you have your eye on or have been thinking about . With the colder weather here, the heavier jackets tend to sell fairly quickly . Just a thought .

just put it up for sale!
 
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