Buzz Rickson's G-1 55J14 A. Pritzker & Sons Reproduction, USS Princeton CV-37 Tiger, Task Force 77, Goatskin, Size 36

A Buzz Rickson's G-1 on the Navy's 55J14 specification, labelled for A. Pritzker & Sons, with a crouching tiger and 'U.S.S. Princeton CV-37' painted across the back and 'Task Force 77' on the chest.

The G-1 and specification 55J14

The Navy's leather flight jacket descends from the M-422 of 1940 through the wartime AN-J-3a. In October 1947 the Navy issued its own specification, 55J14, amended in 1949, and it was the first to put the words 'G-1 Flight Jacket' on the label. A. Pritzker & Sons was one of its contractors, along with L. W. Foster, Burjac and Star Sportswear, and 55J14 jackets were the ones Navy aviators took to Korea.

USS Princeton and Task Force 77

USS Princeton, CV-37, an Essex-class carrier commissioned in November 1945, was recommissioned for the Korean War and reached the combat zone in December 1950. She flew strikes from Task Force 77, the Seventh Fleet's fast carrier force off the Korean coast, through several deployments, supporting the Marines around the Chosin Reservoir and attacking bridges, rail lines and supply routes in the north.

Squadron and ship art of the period favoured tigers, dragons and other Far Eastern motifs, souvenir embroidery and painting picked up in Japan between deployments, and this jacket is decorated in exactly that spirit.

The Piece

This is a reproduction by Buzz Rickson's, made by Toyo Enterprise in Japan, style BR80611. The woven label reads 'BuAer U.S. Navy, G-1 Flight Jacket, Spec. 55J14 (AER), Contract No. N383s-69537, A. Pritzker & Sons, Inc.', with a size 36 lot tag.

The back is painted with a snarling tiger among bamboo under 'U.S.S. Princeton CV-37' in white script, and 'Task Force 77' is painted on the left chest. It is a design that speaks directly to the Navy's Korean War carrier crews.

The shell is a pebble-grained dark brown goatskin with a brown mouton collar, a bi-swing back with action pleats, button-flap patch pockets, a lavender-grey lining and brown knits. Goatskin is the traditional leather of the Navy jacket, lighter and more supple than horsehide and quick to soften.

Little used and in very good condition, with clean art and a full collar.

Details

• Maker: Buzz Rickson's (Toyo Enterprise Co., Ltd.), Japan
• Model / ref: BR80611, G-1 'USS Princeton CV-37' tiger
• Label: BuAer U.S. Navy G-1 · Spec. 55J14 (AER) · Contract N383s-69537 · A. Pritzker & Sons, Inc.
• Material: Goatskin; mouton collar; rayon lining
• Colour: Dark brown
• Made in: Japan
• Tagged size: 36
• Measurements: Shoulder 44 cm · Chest (pit to pit) 52 cm · Sleeve 64 cm · Length 61 cm
• Included: Jacket only

Condition

• Graded A: little used, very good
• Paint on back and chest clean
• Mouton collar full
• Knits and zip in good order

Condition grade A on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.

Authenticity & Care

The labels, materials, stitching, hardware and construction are examined together and documented in Japan before dispatch; anything that cannot be confirmed is stated plainly in the description. Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Hang on a broad shoulder hanger, brush the mouton collar gently, and condition the goatskin sparingly while avoiding the painted areas.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.

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