Restored California Sportswear G-1 Mil-J-7823

My newest acquisition and first original jacket: a size 46 California Sportswear G-1 Mil-J-7823, courtesy of eBay. The seller said it had been restored (assuming knits, lining, and possibly the mouton) by someone else before he purchased it. Based on the limited information out there, this is apparently a rare contract, only produced for one year - 1960. It was also said that sizing on this contract runs large and that is definitely the case. I think a 44 would be my ideal size maybe even smaller, as this is quite roomy on me. I could easily fit a sweater or additional layers under this. The goatskin is thinner than my Aero or Fivestar, but it's still in a good shape and has plenty of character. The knits are proper rib-rack and feel quite sturdy; even the hem knit. The mouton is in perfect shape and feels lovely on the neck.

Some oddities about the jacket restoration: I'm not sure why the restorer went with a purple lining and although it's my favorite color, it would not have been my choice. Per the example on John Chapman's CD, the original lining was gray or possibly dark green in color, so I don't know why they didn't just go with that. The other oddity is that the zipper is YYK branded, but has a black Conmar pull. I'm guessing the original Conmar zipper got replaced, but they kept the original pull. Neither impacts wearability, so they don't bother me too much.

Given that it runs so large on me, I feel like this might be a good donor candidate towards Shawn/Fivestar's proper G-1 efforts. That it's a rare contract, and a pattern that would probably flatter larger dudes are points in its favor. What do you guys think?


Front Fit Open by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Front Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Back Fit by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Lining by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Label by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Zipper by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Front by Aaron Frost, on Flickr


Back by Aaron Frost, on Flickr

More photos and closeups are in the Flickr Album if you care to see.

Here are the measurements:
Chest: 25"
Hem: 23"
Knit: 21.5"
Shoulder: 20"
Sleeve: 26.5" (24" + 2.5" knit)
Front Zip Length: 23"
Back Length: 26"
Knit Length: 3"

Very cool jacket! How did I miss that one on the ‘bay? Usually when I see a larger sized G-1, I gobble it right up!
Congrats on a nice original G-1!

thor said:

Very cool jacket! How did I miss that one on the ‘bay? Usually when I see a larger sized G-1, I gobble it right up!
Congrats on a nice original G-1!

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I don’t know how you missed it...it was around for about 5 days! I guess I got lucky this time. ;-) And yeah, these larger sized ones don’t seem to show up very often.

Nice jacket and rare contract.

nice jacket looks big on you

Beautiful! I’m another corn-fed G-1 wearer. Those don’t come around very often.

kojax said:

nice jacket looks big on you

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yeah it does, but on the other hand it fits him well in a regular everyday sort of way
we have all (myself included) become slightly brainwashed by photos of USN pilots wearing skin-tight jackets!

kojax said:

nice jacket looks big on you

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Yep...a size, possibly two smaller would be ideal. But when it comes to larger-sized original contract G-1s, beggars can't be choosers! Like I said, I might end up donating it to Fivestar as a pattern-builder.

Doctor Damage said:

yeah it does, but on the other hand it fits him well in a regular everyday sort of way
we have all (myself included) become slightly brainwashed by photos of USN pilots wearing skin-tight jackets!

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Agree with you.

adfrost said:

Yep...a size, possibly two smaller would be ideal. But when it comes to larger-sized original contract G-1s, beggars can't be choosers! Like I said, I might end up donating it to Fivestar as a pattern-builder.

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Send something less rare or in worse condition! Not this!

nick123 said:

Send something less rare or in worse condition! Not this!

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I agree, this jacket is too nice and too rare to be dismantled simply for a pattern. I also agree that it is a bit large for you. Perhaps you should hold onto it, wear it and enjoy it, until you find something you like in a size 44. At that and put it up for sale here and one of the larger G-1 wearers might be happy to take it off your hands.

El Marro said:

I agree, this jacket is too nice and too rare to be dismantled simply for a pattern. I also agree that it is a bit large for you. Perhaps you should hold onto it, wear it and enjoy it, until you find something you like in a size 44. At that and put it up for sale here and one of the larger G-1 wearers might be happy to take it off your hands.

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I am leaning in that direction. This probably would’ve fit me better (at least in the body) when I was around 240ish a year ago but I’m at 205ish now & it’s roomy to say the least. Arms would still be an issue though...I must just have short arms or something because the sleeves most G-1/M-422 variants are too long even if they fit in the body.