Help identifying and dating shearling flight jacket (1940s?)

[redleatheryellowleather]

Hello all:

This is my first time posting here. I am currently trying to learn more about a brown leather flight jacket I purchased roughly 10 years ago from a vintage store. I have been doing my own research; however, most of the useful information I have been able to find comes from this forum, so I thought I would try asking the community directly.

Here is what I know so far:
- This jacket was advertised as a 1940s pilot's jacket.
- Exterior is leather, lining is shearling.
- One interesting detail: The fur collar (also shearling) is detachable. However, unlike flight jackets from the 1970s and 1980s, in addition to three snap buttons, the collar is fastened to jacket by four thin strips of leather that attach to four buttons.
- The label is very faded. I think I can make out a capital "S" or "B" in the top, lefthand corner. Below that are the words "Size" and "Price"
- It has a Lightning brand zipper. Lighting Zipper company was based in Ontario and closed in 1981. Unfortunately, I can't find the source I consulted previously, but I recall finding a lightning zipper dating thread that puts this zipper in the 1940s, 50s, or 60s.
- Oddly, the button clasps appear to be a mix of two brands. The top of the buttons read "UNITED CARR". Thanks to a thread on this forum, I know that this part of the fastener was made after the merger of United States Fastener Company (USF) and Carr in 1929: Source. The bottom of the buttons reads "RAU FASTENER CO. PROV. R.I.", another American snap button manufacturer. Not sure what to make of this.

Based on the above, I believe this may be a Royal Canadian Air Force shearling pilot's jacket. However, the fact the label lists a "Price" makes me question if it could be military issue.

I invite any addition thoughts or information. Please let me know if further photos would be helpful.s

 

[jursakl]

Hello all:

This is my first time posting here. I am currently trying to learn more about a brown leather flight jacket I purchased roughly 10 years ago from a vintage store. I have been doing my own research; however, most of the useful information I have been able to find comes from this forum, so I thought I would try asking the community directly.

Here is what I know so far:
- This jacket was advertised as a 1940s pilot's jacket.
- Exterior is leather, lining is shearling.
- One interesting detail: The fur collar (also shearling) is detachable. However, unlike flight jackets from the 1970s and 1980s, in addition to three snap buttons, the collar is fastened to jacket by four thin strips of leather that attach to four buttons.
- The label is very faded. I think I can make out a capital "S" or "B" in the top, lefthand corner. Below that are the words "Size" and "Price"
- It has a Lightning brand zipper. Lighting Zipper company was based in Ontario and closed in 1981. Unfortunately, I can't find the source I consulted previously, but I recall finding a lightning zipper dating thread that puts this zipper in the 1940s, 50s, or 60s.
- Oddly, the button clasps appear to be a mix of two brands. The top of the buttons read "UNITED CARR". Thanks to a thread on this forum, I know that this part of the fastener was made after the merger of United States Fastener Company (USF) and Carr in 1929: Source. The bottom of the buttons reads "RAU FASTENER CO. PROV. R.I.", another American snap button manufacturer. Not sure what to make of this.

Based on the above, I believe this may be a Royal Canadian Air Force shearling pilot's jacket. However, the fact the label lists a "Price" makes me question if it could be military issue.

I invite any addition thoughts or information. Please let me know if further photos would be helpful.s
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Nice find—it definitely sounds like a fascinating jacket with character. Based on what you've shared, here are a few quick thoughts:

• The Lightning zipper and mixed fasteners suggest it could have been made or repaired with available surplus parts, which was common post-WWII.
• The “Size” and “Price” on the label makes it unlikely to be direct military issue—military labels typically include spec numbers, contracts, or serials instead.
• The detachable shearling collar with leather strips is an unusual but interesting feature, could hint at either a civilian-market flight-style jacket or a custom-made piece.
• RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) jackets from the 1940s often used Lightning zippers, but the rest of the features aren’t standard issue.

It might be a post-war civilian flight jacket, possibly marketed to pilots or outdoorsmen, using surplus military materials. Posting clear label and detail photos could help the community narrow it down even more.

 

[Peacoat]

Based on the apparent age of the leather shell in the photographs, I would say that "This jacket was advertised as a 1940s pilot's jacket" is correct. Certainly no later than early 50s, but as a guess, I would say 1940s.

 

[jchance]

That’s a 1960s lightning zipper

This was what was used in 1960s Lewis Leathers jacket:

 

[jursakl]

That’s a 1960s lightning zipper

View attachment 715546

This was what was used in 1960s Lewis Leathers jacket:

View attachment 715547












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