My latest acquisition, and first "issued" G-1

[pjman]

I have four other reproduction G-1's, but recently purchased my first 'issued' G-1, a Ralph Edwards size 42 regular, made in 1984 (if I'm reading the barely-legible tag correctly?). In short, I love this jacket. It fits me perfectly, and the color is a lighter shade of brown than my other dark seal-colored jackets, more of a chocolate color. The collar has a nice reddish tint to it, which I also really like. I think this jacket is made of cowhide, though, since it has a more pronounced grain and feels a bit rougher than my goatskin Cooper G-1. It has 'USN' stamped vertically on the storm flap, something I've never seen before. And it has a separate piece of leather on each side where it zips from the bottom. Only one other of my reproduction jacket has this feature, and all have USN stamped horizontally on the storm flap. Judging from the timeframe it was made, I assume the collar is Dynal - but feels just like the real mouton collar on one of my reproduction jackets. Does anyone know if these Ralph Edward jackets from the early '80's were made of goatskin or cowhide, and if they used mouton or Dynal collars? Any other comments or information about these early '80's Rapj Edward jackets would be appreciated - thanks!

 

[Atticus Finch]

First, yes your jacket was made in 1984 and is an E-series Ralph Edwards.

The specifications for E series G-1s call for the collars to be dynal and the jacket shells to be embossed cowhide. But there clearly have been variances. For example, I have a 1992 Cooper that is goatskin and I don’t believe that my jacket is unique in that respect. Still, I’ve never seen an issued, post 1969 G-1 with an original mouton collar. If the collar on your RE is mouton, it’s probably something that was added by a previous owner.

From the photos you’ve posted, your jacket appears to be made of cow. And I agree with you...the collar looks to be mouton.

AF

 

[pjman]

First, yes your jacket was made in 1984 and is an E-series Ralph Edwards.

The specifications for E series G-1s call for the collars to be dynal and the jacket shells to be embossed cowhide. But there clearly have been variances. For example, I have a 1992 Cooper that is goatskin and I don’t believe that my jacket is unique in that respect. Still, I’ve never seen an issued, post 1969 G-1 with an original mouton collar. If the collar on your RE is mouton, it’s probably something that was added by a previous owner.

From the photos you’ve posted, your jacket appears to be made of cow. And I agree with you...the collar looks to be mouton.

AF

Thanks for the information, Atticus. How do the the E-series Ralph Edward jackets stack up in terms of quality?

 

[Atticus Finch]

Thanks for the information, Atticus. How do the the E-series Ralph Edward jackets stack up in terms of quality?

I’ve never owned a Ralph Edwards G-1, but everything that I’ve heard about them indicates that REs were considered the “cream of the crop” among issued G-1s. The best of the best.

AF