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QUESTIONS regarding my newly acquired M422A

GPZ900R

New Member
Hi all.

Just recently acquired a vintage M422A jacket from Japan.

It was advertised as 38-40. (yes, no tag so don't know true specs)

Took some measurements (perhaps inaccurate) of the jacket...

Shoulder width: 43 cm/17"
Sleeve length (from middle of collar to cuff): 81 cm / 32"
Sleeve length (from shoulder to cuff): 58 cm / 23"
Chest: 102 cm /40"

Do these M422A jackets really have a slim fit? Or is my jacket simply too small for me?

Sleeves seem a tad bit short too. I, however, have read some thread here - of which even branched out to discussing Darwin/evolution.. went as far as saying M422As are really slim fit, have short sleeves, because people were smaller then..

Anyway,

My measurements are:

Height: 173 cm / 5'8"
Weight: 85 kg / 188lbs
Shoulders: 47 cm / 18.5"
Chest: 102 cm / 40"
Waist : 81 cm / 32"
Arms: 33 cm / 13"

I've had some "terrible" (baggy fitting) Avirex G1s - of which even the XS fits me well, and M is overly large. My Size M Avirex CWU-36/P fits perfectly though (fits like a size L Member's Only jacket). My Schott Perfecto 618 acquired brand new in 2010 which is size 38 fits me well even today.

I'm thinking I'm supposed to be a size 42 or 44... anyhow, it's hard to come across an M422A... my last resort would be to settle for a 7823/G1.... the M422A looks weird... sleeves level with waistband... I'm more used to my Avirex CWU-36/P in which the sleeves hang lower than the waistband....


Pictures attached below.

Edit:

as you can see, the cuffs don't match the waistband. Stitches seem off too. I'm thinking a poor cuff replacement? sleeves shortened ? (unlikely if sleeves are really short on M422A).
 

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STEVE S.

Well-Known Member
Just looking at your actual height/weight posted, probably a 42 would be a good fit in an original. About 15 yrs ago, I was at the exact same height/ weight and the 42’s fit fine in the original M-422a’s.

Your jacket is a Gordon& Ferguson & waistband looks to be the dull purple with mid or seal brown cuffs added. Would bet dull purple cuffs would be a better match. That is all dependent on my monitor & your camera giving a good interpretation of the coloring.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
Just looking at your actual height/weight posted, probably a 42 would be a good fit in an original. About 15 yrs ago, I was at the exact same height/ weight and the 42’s fit fine in the original M-422a’s.

Your jacket is a Gordon& Ferguson & waistband looks to be the dull purple with mid or seal brown cuffs added. Would bet dull purple cuffs would be a better match. That is all dependent on my monitor & your camera giving a good interpretation of the coloring.
Hi Steve,

Thank you very much for your input/s. Moreover, I am after the "wide shoulder/narrow waist" look that Tom Cruise pulled off in Top Gun. It is to my knowledge that he wore an oversized M422A..... BUT! - his sleeves hang lower than the waist.. which I think is typical of 7823/G1. Unless, his jacket was a "long variant" of the M422A? does it exist?

Regards
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
From personal experience, I think there is considerable confusion between the size a jacket measures, and the chest measure a jacket was patterned to fit. If you have a 40 inch chest a jackets chest measure should be minimum 21 inch and more comfortably 22 inch, though on a m422 / g1 jacket you may get away with nearer 22 inch because of the bi-swing back, though you wouldn't want that pulled out in wearing more often than not would you?

If a jacket measures 40 inch pit to pit I'd say the wearers chest should measure no more than 38 inch chest and ideally a bit less.

Then of course there is the confusion between chest size and, hmm hmm abdomen size which for many modern bodies causes more angst when a jacket arrives. Not saying that's the case here, just my personal experience.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
From personal experience, I think there is considerable confusion between the size a jacket measures, and the chest measure a jacket was patterned to fit. If you have a 40 inch chest a jackets chest measure should be minimum 21 inch and more comfortably 22 inch, though on a m422 / g1 jacket you may get away with nearer 22 inch because of the bi-swing back, though you wouldn't want that pulled out in wearing more often than not would you?

If a jacket measures 40 inch pit to pit I'd say the wearers chest should measure no more than 38 inch chest and ideally a bit less.

Then of course there is the confusion between chest size and, hmm hmm abdomen size which for many modern bodies causes more angst when a jacket arrives. Not saying that's the case here, just my personal experience.

Thank you for this input. Am even thinking 44 would be the best fit. 42 might be hinder me from getting any bigger.. ahaha
 

Skip

Well-Known Member
I’m now expert, but navy m422 series jackets have a variety of different fits for a given tag size, some are snug, some feel really baggy.

The early M422’s were a trim, long fit, sleeves were slimmer, then when they branched out into 422a’s the body became a little more roomy/boxy, and After the war that’s when the broader shoulder, slim waist cane in with the G1’s. I’m 6’3 72kg, chest 40 and go a size 40. But I select the makers that have slimmer pattern but longer length like Monarch.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
I’m now expert, but navy m422 series jackets have a variety of different fits for a given tag size, some are snug, some feel really baggy.

The early M422’s were a trim, long fit, sleeves were slimmer, then when they branched out into 422a’s the body became a little more roomy/boxy, and After the war that’s when the broader shoulder, slim waist cane in with the G1’s. I’m 6’3 72kg, chest 40 and go a size 40. But I select the makers that have slimmer pattern but longer length like Monarch.

Thank you for this info..

Now, I have attached again another pic below. Got it from Instagram. It has the narrow waist/broad shoulders fitment that I want... looks like an M422A based on the scalloped front pockets... seems to have even worn a William H. Standley patch..

Edit: have also attached a picture of Tom Cruise as Maverick.. seems to be 2 sizes large for him.. hence the "shoulder padded" look
 

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Flightengineer

Well-Known Member
Cruise could have a suit jacket tailored specifically for the movie.
From my personal experience - I'm on the same side as @stanier.
All my jackets are size 40 include my G-1 from 1956, but my chest is 38.5" and weighs 78 kg.
Your chest size and weight are not for original jacket size "38-40", you need at least 42.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
Cruise could have a suit jacket tailored specifically for the movie.
From my personal experience - I'm on the same side as @stanier.
All my jackets are size 40 include my G-1 from 1956, but my chest is 38.5" and weighs 78 kg.
Your chest size and weight are not for original jacket size "38-40", you need at least 42.
Hi, thank you also for your input... dang, and the hunt is still on... hahaha... guess it will be my girlfriend who will be wearing my jacket. Hope I come across a 42 or 44 M422A again soon...
 

adfrost

Well-Known Member
Then of course there is the confusion between chest size and, hmm hmm abdomen size which for many modern bodies causes more angst when a jacket arrives. Not saying that's the case here, just my personal experience.

That has certainly been the case for me, with my square chest & abdomen measurements...
 

GPZ900R

New Member
That has certainly been the case for me, with my square chest & abdomen measurements...
does this refer to "barrel chest"? luckily I don't have a barrel chest. Must be difficult for Sylvester Stallone finding a proper fitting G1 jacket back during the late 80s.. he was said to have had a 50" chest during Rambo 3 ... one of the best example/s of a barrel chest
 

adfrost

Well-Known Member
Barrel chest...probably not...I’m just a fat-ass, though less of one that a year ago. 44” chest/44” abdomen.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
Barrel chest...probably not...I’m just a fat-ass, though less of one that a year ago. 44” chest/44” abdomen.
Ah welp.. noted.

Thank you everyone for your input/s..

Now leaning towards 42/44. Still have plans on getting bigger (not fatter)
 

STEVE S.

Well-Known Member
Here are the actual measurements of a sz 42 Block M-422a for you to compare with your sz 38/40. That may help a bit to give you an idea as to the difference.

Chest 22”
Waist 20”
Shoulders 19”
Back length 26”
Sleeves 23”
 

GPZ900R

New Member
Here are the actual measurements of a sz 42 Block M-422a for you to compare with your sz 38/40. That may help a bit to give you an idea as to the difference.

Chest 22”
Waist 20”
Shoulders 19”
Back length 26”
Sleeves 23”

Hi, thank you very much for this!

I think 42 would still fit me tight, considering I have 18.5" shoulders.

If 38 = 17" shoulders,
40 = 18" ?
42 = 19"
44 = 20"
46 = 21"

etc... is this assumption correct? I'm still not contented with my size and plan to bulk up more... so I guess 42 would be out of the picture (unless I start cutting now)
 

STEVE S.

Well-Known Member
If you are still bulking up, I would look for one of the newer G-1’s ( D or E series) to wear in the meantime. They can be had cheap. When you get to your final weight/ size and are able to maintain, then look for another M-422a.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
If you are still bulking up, I would look for one of the newer G-1’s ( D or E series) to wear in the meantime. They can be had cheap. When you get to your final weight/ size and are able to maintain, then look for another M-422a.

Hi, thank you for this suggestion.

I'm currently looking at a Ralph Edwards 7823C size 42. I think it will fit me perfectly.

Welp, from my understanding now, seems it's the G1s that have the "Maverick fitment".. wide shoulders/slim waist, sleeves hanging lower than the waist... guess I have to deal with G1s not having the scalloped front pockets that Maverick's jacket has (long M422A? custom jacket? modified G1? who knows...)
 

STEVE S.

Well-Known Member
Look at the 7823(aer) series G -1’s. Just sold a Werber model that had the deep scalloped pockets. The (aer) series is still fairly reasonable price wise vs the m-422a.
 

GPZ900R

New Member
Wow!!! Thank you very much for the heads up on Werber.

It seems to be THE Top Gun jacket.

Also, how cheap are we talking? I saw one sold by Good Wear Leather for USD 750. I scored my M422A for less than USD 250.
 
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