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How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

hodgeko

One of the Regulars
Messages
149
Looks awesome. Was it a steal or just a pretty good deal? I feel like since the advent of google the possibility of paying $100 for a mint buco at an estate sale are over.
I talked them down a bit. I got it for $350, including tax. I think that’s not bad, right? Judging by my quick google search in the store when I was trying it on, ha.
 

jeo

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,390
Location
Philadelphia
I just picked up this beauty from an antique store today. I think it’s a Sears Hercules but I can’t read the label, and the label looks different from the ones in the great Sears MC catalog thread by @tmitchell59.

But maybe it’s a late 40s/early 50s Hercules judging by the lining and the D pocket? Conmar main zip, Talon sleeve zips. Did anyone else have this kind of lining?

I think I got a good deal, but there is one thing that’s not perfect. A lot of the snaps don’t connect to anything. See pic. They look kind of rusted out? Not a huge deal for me as the fit is pretty good and everything else looks to be in great shape. Anyway, I’m excited! My first 50s motorcycle jacket, kind of a grail for me. View attachment 580313 View attachment 580314 View attachment 580315 View attachment 580316 View attachment 580317 View attachment 580318 View attachment 580319 View attachment 580320 View attachment 580321

[edited]

It’s a Sears Hercules. Great find!

First ones came out in 1948. Most common label you see on these early Hercs is the white rectangular Hercules label with “reg us pat off” under in small lettering and “Sears, Roebuck and Co” on the bottom. I’ve attached my Hercules as an example of this label below.

There are at least 2 variants on this label that I know of. One has the wording “Style and Durability” and the other one has the wording “Styled and Made in California”, suggesting different manufacturers.

Then, less commonly, you’ll see these same exact labels but in black.

l believe yours was the second iteration of these jackets with the leather patch label. I believe the leather patch label was transitional and was present on jackets in either 1949 or 1950 (a few have even suggested 1951) for a very short amount of time.

Why? Well, you see leather patch Hercs with 40’s zips as well and wool liners, like yours, but I’ve also seen plenty of leather patch Hercs with 50s zips as well as nylon liners which indicates 50s.

Then there’s the design. The exact design of yours is seen on later 50’s Herc D pockets. The hand warmers, the sleeve zips on the bottom, the shape of the patch/coin pocket…

Catalog page from 1948. No hand warmer, sleeve zips on top, half belt, wool lining.

IMG_5194.jpeg


Catalog page from 1949. Hand warmer, sleeve zip on top, no half belt, wool lining.

IMG_5174.jpeg


Here’s my late 40’s Herc with the white label.

IMG_4654.jpeg
 
Last edited:

PeterRocco

Practically Family
Messages
689
Location
Staten Island New York
Sears Hercules. l believe these were the second iteration of these jackets with the leather patch label. First ones came out in 1949 and had the white Hercules label, so maybe this one is 1950 or 1951.

Catalog page from 1949

View attachment 580330

Here’s my late 40’s Herc with the white label.

View attachment 580331
Beautiful Jacket. Love to see that another Vintage 50+ Jacket is still being worn and enjoyed.
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,864
Location
claremont california
I just picked up this beauty from an antique store today. I think it’s a Sears Hercules but I can’t read the label, and the label looks different from the ones in the great Sears MC catalog thread by @tmitchell59.

But maybe it’s a late 40s/early 50s Hercules judging by the lining and the D pocket? Conmar main zip, Talon sleeve zips. Did anyone else have this kind of lining?

I think I got a good deal, but there is one thing that’s not perfect. A lot of the snaps don’t connect to anything. See pic. They look kind of rusted out? Not a huge deal for me as the fit is pretty good and everything else looks to be in great shape. Anyway, I’m excited! My first 50s motorcycle jacket, kind of a grail for me. View attachment 580313 View attachment 580314 View attachment 580315 View attachment 580316 View attachment 580317 View attachment 580318 View attachment 580319 View attachment 580320 View attachment 580321
Beautiful jacket! Love those plaid wool lining. Your snaps are not complete. It appears from the uploaded images, the snap's stud or sockets are missing. If the eyelets and caps still usable, the job will be much easier.

Good luck with your project.
dop snaps.jpg
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,864
Location
claremont california
I just picked up this beauty from an antique store today. I think it’s a Sears Hercules but I can’t read the label, and the label looks different from the ones in the great Sears MC catalog thread by @tmitchell59.

But maybe it’s a late 40s/early 50s Hercules judging by the lining and the D pocket? Conmar main zip, Talon sleeve zips. Did anyone else have this kind of lining?

I think I got a good deal, but there is one thing that’s not perfect. A lot of the snaps don’t connect to anything. See pic. They look kind of rusted out? Not a huge deal for me as the fit is pretty good and everything else looks to be in great shape. Anyway, I’m excited! My first 50s motorcycle jacket, kind of a grail for me. View attachment 580313 View attachment 580314 View attachment 580315 View attachment 580316 View attachment 580317 View attachment 580318 View attachment 580319 View attachment 580320 View attachment 580321

I believe the leather tags are older than the white tags. Please remember to keep your jacket in a moth proof garment cover. I would use a nice #2 pencil to clean up the zippers and a horse hair big brush to clean the jacket nicely. Please take your time. Your jacket looks clean enough to just do a good brush clean with out the need of liquids.

horse hair.jpeg
 
Last edited:

hodgeko

One of the Regulars
Messages
149
I believe the leather tags are older than the white tags. Please remember to keep your jacket in a moth proof garment cover. I would use a nice #2 pencil to clean up the zippers and a horse hair big brush to clean the jacket nicely. Please take your time. Your jacket looks clean enough to just do a good brush clean with out the need of liquids.

View attachment 580338
Thanks, good tips!
 

hodgeko

One of the Regulars
Messages
149
Sears Hercules. l believe these were the second iteration of these jackets with the leather patch label. First ones came out in 1949 and had the white Hercules label, so maybe this one is 1950 or 1951.

Catalog page from 1949

View attachment 580330

Here’s my late 40’s Herc with the white label.

View attachment 580331
Great info! I appreciate seeing yours and the catalog page too. Thanks!
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,272
Location
Illinois
I just picked up this beauty from an antique store today. I think it’s a Sears Hercules but I can’t read the label, and the label looks different from the ones in the great Sears MC catalog thread by @tmitchell59.

But maybe it’s a late 40s/early 50s Hercules judging by the lining and the D pocket? Conmar main zip, Talon sleeve zips. Did anyone else have this kind of lining?

I think I got a good deal, but there is one thing that’s not perfect. A lot of the snaps don’t connect to anything. See pic. They look kind of rusted out? Not a huge deal for me as the fit is pretty good and everything else looks to be in great shape. Anyway, I’m excited! My first 50s motorcycle jacket, kind of a grail for me. View attachment 580313 View attachment 580314 View attachment 580315 View attachment 580316 View attachment 580317 View attachment 580318 View attachment 580319 View attachment 580320 View attachment 580321
You have done exceedingly well on your Grail Quest, more so than we may know. These early Sears Hercules Wool lined have been a quest of mine and this jacket ask and answer several questions in the lineage of these jackets. Small and insignificant unless you own one of these jackets. Like splitting hairs in all realms of collecting.

I would have most certainly paid the amount no matter the size, and I doubt it is mine. I sold a green lined one a few years back, on here, with a one year money back guarantee. It was more than your price.

Compare them with a wool lined Buco, they are a bargain! at least to me you got a bargain on a bargain!

Hopefully the jacket will show up in the Hercules MC thread certainly has a place there.
 

hodgeko

One of the Regulars
Messages
149
You have done exceedingly well on your Grail Quest, more so than we may know. These early Sears Hercules Wool lined have been a quest of mine and this jacket ask and answer several questions in the lineage of these jackets. Small and insignificant unless you own one of these jackets. Like splitting hairs in all realms of collecting.

I would have most certainly paid the amount no matter the size, and I doubt it is mine. I sold a green lined one a few years back, on here, with a one year money back guarantee. It was more than your price.

Compare them with a wool lined Buco, they are a bargain! at least to me you got a bargain on a bargain!

Hopefully the jacket will show up in the Hercules MC thread certainly has a place there.
Thanks! I feel very lucky with this purchase now, especially with all this great info. I will definitely add it to the Hercules thread when I get some fit pics.
 
Last edited:

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,864
Location
claremont california
I just picked up this beauty from an antique store today. I think it’s a Sears Hercules but I can’t read the label, and the label looks different from the ones in the great Sears MC catalog thread by @tmitchell59.

But maybe it’s a late 40s/early 50s Hercules judging by the lining and the D pocket? Conmar main zip, Talon sleeve zips. Did anyone else have this kind of lining?

I think I got a good deal, but there is one thing that’s not perfect. A lot of the snaps don’t connect to anything. See pic. They look kind of rusted out? Not a huge deal for me as the fit is pretty good and everything else looks to be in great shape. Anyway, I’m excited! My first 50s motorcycle jacket, kind of a grail for me. View attachment 580313 View attachment 580314 View attachment 580315 View attachment 580316 View attachment 580317 View attachment 580318 View attachment 580319 View attachment 580320 View attachment 580321

I got to visit my the T. Shops.
 

AHP91

One Too Many
Messages
1,478
Coming my way, looks to be an old open motor car driving cap. Too cool for comfort! Fit? I don't even care. Looks 1920s, sold from an estate with several other very old caps.

View attachment 573336 View attachment 573337 View attachment 573339 View attachment 573340

Hey Terry - did this cap fit you? If not, any chance you’d be willing to sell to someone who could wear it if it’s not too small? Understand if you want to keep for a collection- figured I’d ask. Thank you, hope it did actually work out for you.
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,272
Location
Illinois
Hey Terry - did this cap fit you? If not, any chance you’d be willing to sell to someone who could wear it if it’s not too small? Understand if you want to keep for a collection- figured I’d ask. Thank you, hope it did actually work out for you.
No the cap at did not fit me I did not think it would. I'm not even sure what size it is pretty small. I had forgot about it until you mentioned it. These accessories are among my favorite collector items. I will do a Write up , this Cap is definitely for the 1920s And very interesting
 

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