The Last decent Alpha Ma-1 ?

[Blackadder]

I think it comes down to availability and price. It would be easier to find a mil issue than a replica series on ebay.
There is also an abundant supply of 2nd hand Buzz in Japan. Price may even be lower than a replica on ebay should you find one.
Here is a very good condition one for GBP165? Of course there would be tax and duties but getting an Alpha from say ebay would also incur tax and duties.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d525505753
Lots of choices
https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/search?p=バズリクソンズ+ma-1&va=バズリクソンズ+ma-1&exflg=1&b=101&n=100&s1=cbids&o1=a

 

[Geordiebri]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/engAAOSwEUFgiFUY/s-l1600.jpg

Replica Alpha MA-1’s: had several jackets with the Gold n Red pocket tag inc an N-2B, textiles were great, colours not necessarily that accurate. Can’t recall the ‘made in’ label & have since moved them on (came up a bit big on me in XL). Thought they were USA, may have been Vietnam as Blackadder states. Shame I don’t still have one for reference. I call them ‘Replica’ as opposed to the ‘Vintage’ series which make good beaters but are the wrong shade of colour with cheaper textiles.

I once had a B-15 Replica go through my hands, no pocket label with good colour and textiles, nearly on a par with Buzz IMHO & I had a Buzz B-15 at the time. Series went by chest size I recollect and came up very big. I’m a 46 chest and was swamped by a 44.

As the Doc states, some of the military issue aren’t high end. Had an
N-2B Alpha with synthetic lining and hood, service issue, poorly made in my opinion, sold it and got the Civvy version which was better made and nearly identical.

Some of the earlier issue nylon appears better quality, I have a 70’s issue fur trimmed N-2B which is a great thing & a 50’s N-2A that has stood the test of time very well.

Went to Eastmans this week and looked at some of their Buzz jackets, lovely things which thankfully don’t fit me very well

I nearly pulled the trigger on a supposed Vietnam 65 jacket, but it looked not quite right it looked to New with a flab atthe bottom of the zip going to a button, is this correct, I've included a photo, to me it looked like they'd sowed in the label from another jacket, or am I mistaken?

 

[Geordiebri]

I nearly pulled the trigger on a supposed Vietnam 65 jacket, but it looked not quite right it looked to New with a flab atthe bottom of the zip going to a button, is this correct, I've included a photo, to me it looked like they'd sowed in the label from another jacket, or am I mistaken?

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/engAAOSwEUFgiFUY/s-l1600.jpg


I also saw a "Cooper MFG" Vintage, are these any good?

 

[Blackadder]

I nearly pulled the trigger on a supposed Vietnam 65 jacket, but it looked not quite right it looked to New with a flab atthe bottom of the zip going to a button, is this correct, I've included a photo, to me it looked like they'd sowed in the label from another jacket, or am I mistaken?

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/engAAOSwEUFgiFUY/s-l1600.jpg


I also saw a "Cooper MFG" Vintage, are these any good?

Thank that is a L-2b, not a MA-1.

 

[Geordiebri]

Thank that is a L-2b, not a MA-1.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a used Camco ma-1 with postage from yahoo.jp still less than £100. I may have made a mistake and I may have a bargain, time will tell when it arrives in a few weeks time. i'll let you know. What are the thoughts on the CAMCO ?

 

[Edward]

Hello and thanks for the info. How do you know if it's "Replica series" as it doesn't say on the label? Do you just look for the Black & gold label, but NOT the one the mentions Vintage?

Both of these series were from the 90s, and supplies seem to have dried up now - it's a long time since I saw either going on eBay at all. The Replica series were labelled to mimic the look of an original issue milspec jacket (though from memory there is a way of distinguishing them, not sure if the contract numbers were 'fake'). The Vintage series had a fairly normal, commercial label which says "Vintage" on it. Both were fairly well made, but the main difference is that the Vintage range colours were 'wrong'. Much lighter hued; I think the idea was based on the notion that a 'vintage' jacket would fade and lighten when exposed to the sun, but of course while this is true, the colours they do use for this are nothing like what they would actually turn out like. My L2A is from the Vintage series. Perfectly nice jacket, but not close to the right colour. I wish they did it in navy.

FWIW... I own both an Alpha Replica Series B15-C and a Buzz Rickson B15-C Mod. Aside from the obvious collar difference, they compare well. The Buzz is clearly the better jacket of the two, though that said if the Alpha was available for under £200 new, that would be my choice. It's close enough that, for my money, if you don't need the 'most accurate', it's 'close enough'. My Buzz cost me twice what my Alpha did. I don't think it would be worth four or five times that, but... YMMV.

Thing is with the nylon jackets, for a very long time the only choices have been very cheap but poorly made, wrong colours, wrong look, wrong XYZ... or the high end Japanese stuff. Bronson have excited a lot of folks because they are offering something more affordable but with the right 'look'. I'm curious myself, but holding off for now as when I see size charts I always seem to be at the top end and possibly just beyond that... don't want to buy something at that sort of distance and then have the hassle of it being wrong sized. I hope Bronson do well and extend their "Western sizes" over time.

The one I have been looking at in the current Alpha line is the N2A/B, in navy (N2A spec). The look is pretty good. The Japanese nylon jackets are outstanding, I've just always struggled with the notion of spending quality leather money on a nylon jacket - purely personal preferences.

From the vintage N3B and N2B that have gone through my hands I take the view that the original military jackets definitely aren't high end either.

Mn. I often think about that when some repros get stick for poor quality. Course, the more something costs the higher the expectations; I sometimes wonder whether most of the customer base for the most reproduced stuff at the high end would be satisfied with any of the real thing. Interesting how the mind / expectations vs price work.

If I am not mistaken: the Replica series does not have lettering tag on the sleeve pocket.
I own a B15d(mod) Replica Series and it does not have a tag. I think that Alpha put the tag only on its civilian series. The Replica was supposed to be a military repro.
The red tag was another series that Alpha released, which, if I am not mistaken was made in Vietnam.

My Replica jacket has no sleeve tag, and is badged made in USA. As memory serves, my Vintage Series L2A does carry a gold on black tag, not sure where it was made offhand.

 

[Edward]

Just been browsing the Soldier of Fortune pages, they have this one in - https://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/ma1-flying-jacket-1950-s-style.html Greenbrier, made in USA. Can't comment on quality. Colour is hard to judge online, though if memory serves a number of the earlier ones were this greener-type-green.

 

[Geordiebri]

Just been browsing the Soldier of Fortune pages, they have this one in - https://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/ma1-flying-jacket-1950-s-style.html Greenbrier, made in USA. Can't comment on quality. Colour is hard to judge online, though if memory serves a number of the earlier ones were this greener-type-green.

I've bought a CAMCO from Yahoo.jp Similar to this one, It is used, but i do actually prefer something with a bit of Patina. has anyone heard of CAMCO ?

https://fullup.fashionstore.jp/items/24875792

 

[bn1966]

Just been browsing the Soldier of Fortune pages, they have this one in - https://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/ma1-flying-jacket-1950-s-style.html Greenbrier, made in USA. Can't comment on quality. Colour is hard to judge online, though if memory serves a number of the earlier ones were this greener-type-green.

I’ve got the Greenbrier version, greener type pretty much identical to the Alpha ‘Vintage’ MA-1 jacket. Textiles aren’t as robust as the Alpha & it’s a bit lighter in weight but patterned well and very comfortable on. It’s also about 1.5 inches longer than the Alpha...I really like it & it gets lots of wear here.

 

[bn1966]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/engAAOSwEUFgiFUY/s-l1600.jpg



I nearly pulled the trigger on a supposed Vietnam 65 jacket, but it looked not quite right it looked to New with a flab atthe bottom of the zip going to a button, is this correct, I've included a photo, to me it looked like they'd sowed in the label from another jacket, or am I mistaken?

Looks to me like a 60’s L-2B, these are the summer alternative to an
MA-1, being just a nylon shell & lining. I’ve got one and love it.

 

[Edward]

I've bought a CAMCO from Yahoo.jp Similar to this one, It is used, but i do actually prefer something with a bit of Patina. has anyone heard of CAMCO ?

https://fullup.fashionstore.jp/items/24875792

Not one I've previously seen. Japan of course has hundreds of brands not all of which are much exported, so. Do give us your review when it arrives.

I’ve got the Greenbrier version, greener type pretty much identical to the Alpha ‘Vintage’ MA-1 jacket. Textiles aren’t as robust as the Alpha & it’s a bit lighter in weight but patterned well and very comfortable on. It’s also about 1.5 inches longer than the Alpha...I really like it & it gets lots of wear here.

I wonder is the lighter weight due to it being poly-filled rather than wool/cotton? Seems to be a common option on more affordable nylons (and, of course, correct to later spec MA1s).

 

[Rawky]

Have you checked out Silvermans? I think their leather one looks good, although not available in my size. They have a variety of non-leather ones too.

https://www.silvermans.co.uk/collec...vintage-leather-jacket?variant=19097172541494

 

[bn1966]

Not one I've previously seen. Japan of course has hundreds of brands not all of which are much exported, so. Do give us your review when it arrives.



I wonder is the lighter weight due to it being poly-filled rather than wool/cotton? Seems to be a common option on more affordable nylons (and, of course, correct to later spec MA1s).

Nylon feels thinner Edward and the insulation not as thick as the ‘Vintage’ Alpha Ma-1, however this is an advantage when the weather is warmer & I can wear the Greenbrier when the Alpha would be a bit too warm. And then you get into L2-B country of which I have an Alpha ‘79 issued jacket that has more than earned its keep.

 

[Bennarion]

Bronson is awful nylon quality. This is what happens to it when it gets wet after it dries: Streaks and white spots, gaps in the seam

 

[Blackadder]

Bronson is awful nylon quality. This is what happens to it when it gets wet after it dries: Streaks and white spots, gaps in the seam View attachment 331546 View attachment 331547 View attachment 331548 View attachment 331549 View attachment 331550 View attachment 331551 View attachment 331552

Too bad about the water stain. I have some on my USA made civi Alpha too but it was a beater so I left them as is.

 

[Bennarion]

I was very surprised by it. It is worth getting on the jacket a drop of clean water immediately appears after drying a white spot I thought that the fabric might be impregnated with something and decided to soak it and rinse it in warm water, in the end it only got worse. Nylon turned into hard cardboard and dark streaks and stains all over the jacket

 

[Geordiebri]

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a used Camco ma-1 with postage from yahoo.jp still less than £100. I may have made a mistake and I may have a bargain, time will tell when it arrives in a few weeks time. i'll let you know. What are the thoughts on the CAMCO ?

Hello Gents. Ok, The Camco jacket came and to be honest I thought it was great, to my untrained eye it looked spot on. Quite heavy though, I put this down to the wool lining. Unfortuanltely it was just a little too big for my, so I sold it on and more or less got my money back, which was fortunate.

I was woorrined in the first place about using a Proxy service for buying from Japan, so I thought I wouldn't spend a load of money on my first purchase from there. The jacket worked out about £40 plus about £40 post on top of that, which i know sounds a lot, but it got here in four days, which i was very impressed with. I used a service called https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/ . I'm very impressed, very stright forward to use and like I say the post was very fast. There is an absolute load of Buzz Rickson and a myriad of other makers there, go over and have a good look.

What I did notice is, I think there is actually a a few Fake Buzz jackets there. Yes, fake Buzz! I based that on looking at a few and sonme are labelled "Buzz Rickson" some were labelled "B.Rickson" is that correct or fake?

Anyway, I've just pulled the trigger on a second japanese jacket, but this time it's an Alpha. The label said "DSA 100-69-C-0123 19 July 1968" the nylon looked really new though, so i did a little more reseach and found that Alpha did a "68 Edition" Here is a link to info on it

http://www.cc9.ne.jp/~rin-wrg/MA-168SG.htm

Does anyone know anything about this coat?

 

[Geordiebri]

Hello Gents. Ok, The Camco jacket came and to be honest I thought it was great, to my untrained eye it looked spot on. Quite heavy though, I put this down to the wool lining. Unfortuanltely it was just a little too big for my, so I sold it on and more or less got my money back, which was fortunate.

I was woorrined in the first place about using a Proxy service for buying from Japan, so I thought I wouldn't spend a load of money on my first purchase from there. The jacket worked out about £40 plus about £40 post on top of that, which i know sounds a lot, but it got here in four days, which i was very impressed with. I used a service called https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/ . I'm very impressed, very stright forward to use and like I say the post was very fast. There is an absolute load of Buzz Rickson and a myriad of other makers there, go over and have a good look.

What I did notice is, I think there is actually a a few Fake Buzz jackets there. Yes, fake Buzz! I based that on looking at a few and sonme are labelled "Buzz Rickson" some were labelled "B.Rickson" is that correct or fake?

Anyway, I've just pulled the trigger on a second japanese jacket, but this time it's an Alpha. The label said "DSA 100-69-C-0123 19 July 1968" the nylon looked really new though, so i did a little more reseach and found that Alpha did a "68 Edition" Here is a link to info on it

http://www.cc9.ne.jp/~rin-wrg/MA-168SG.htm

Does anyone know anything about this coat?

Well. the "68 Edition" came and it is an outstanding jacket. With wool lining, Scovill Zips and the perfect vintage profile. The PERFECT jacket. However..............................It's Too small!

You couldn't make it up could you? So now I'm looking to buy a third one that hopefully fits this time.

Just one question. does anyone know which years when Alpha went from wool to poly lining?

 

[Harris HTM]

Well. the "68 Edition" came and it is an outstanding jacket. With wool lining, Scovill Zips and the perfect vintage profile. The PERFECT jacket. However..............................It's Too small!

You couldn't make it up could you? So now I'm looking to buy a third one that hopefully fits this time.

Just one question. does anyone know which years when Alpha went from wool to poly lining?

Maybe you can sell this jacket here and make up (at least partially) for your losses?

 

[Geordiebri]

Maybe you can sell this jacket here and make up (at least partially) for your losses?

I've already got it on UK ebay, hopefully get a portion of my money back. I've just ordered my THIRD jacket from japoan. an Alpha Vintage series in Green with the USAF badge on the sleeve. I'll take the alpha tag off the sleeve if it fits. wish me luck men, Third time lucky!