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

[ABCD]

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.

That's a great deal. It's worth about double that imo.

I think it's late 40s but I'm not 100% sure. @tmitchell59 will know.

 

[hodgeko]

That's a great deal. It's worth about double that imo.

I think it's late 40s but I'm not 100% sure. @tmitchell59 will know.

Cool, thanks!

 

[jeo]

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.

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

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

 

[PeterRocco]

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]

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.

 

[Bfd70]

Did everyone motorcycle in a tie back then?

 

[photo2u]

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.

 

[hodgeko]

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]

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 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]

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.

 

[tmitchell59]

Thanks! I feel very proud of this purchase now, especially with all this great info. I will definitely add it to the Hercules thread when I get some fit pics.

Every Jacket Tells a Story; I've got to listen and learn. Your jacket is a piece of the puzzle.

 

[moktabe]

An Aero Aeromarine incoming around early March.

Looked at a natural leather but chickened out and chose Cordovan Vicenza.

 

[PeterRocco]

Can’t Waite to see it posted. Congratulations.

 

[photo2u]

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]

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.

 

[3.14nche]

This one is on its way. Hopefully next week.
Thanks again to @Canuck Panda for sourcing the leather.

 

[tmitchell59]

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

 

[tmitchell59]

At 71 I took my collective interest back to the 70s, San Francisco, with a Flower in my hair.

 

[jchance]

For my 2nd leather jacket (ever), I got a Warehouse & Co. cossack unlined deerskin. Their main principle is "the faithful reproduction of authentic vintage garments." I'm presuming the exact repro of the 1930s cossack, except in deerskin, going to give them a shot.

Warehouse & Co., though made in Japan, is still quite unknown when it comes to leather jackets. Warehouse & Co. did some collaborations for Heller's Cafe a while back, including leather jackets. Heller's Cafe also did collaborations with Himel Bros. By extrapolation, I'm assuming that Heller's Cafe's quality check passed both Warehouse & Co and Himel Bros.