1925 - 1935 Period Leather Jackets

[mimesis2nemesis]

Hey, I was wondering if anybody has any real pictures of real people wearing Leather Jackets in the 1925 - 1935 period. Also, if anyone has repros or actual examples of these jackets and what were the styles worn at that period and why. I have used the search function but so far haven't really come up with anything solid. All help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[RP McMurphy]

Check out the link below... Seems like zippers came in sometime in the 20's...

http://www.himelbros.com/index.php

Also, this gal:

 

[GoodTimesGone]

The best resource I've found on classic leather jackets is author Rin Tanaka. His books "Motorcycle Jackets: A Century Of Leather Design" and "Motorcycle Jackets: Ultimate Biker's Fashions" have great information and color photos from the 1930's thru the '80s. "A Century Of Leather Design" is the best of the two. They are a little pricey ($69.95 each) but are very nice hardcover photo books. Don't let the titles fool you. The books cover more than just biker jackets as the early cyclists wore flight and sport jackets. As I mentioned there are nice color photos and old catalog advertisements. Most of the jackets shown are '30s thru the '50's.

 

[scotrace]

There are so many threads with such pictures here I wouldn't know where to start....

 

[Mojo1975]

Here's an authentic mid to late '30s Half Belt that we sold to an Insurrection customer last weekend. The horsehide was absolutely incredible! Probably 3.5 ounces!!! There were only two flaws on the entire jacket--1) the diamond Talon pull on the chest pocket was missing and 2) the tag was missing (yet the horsehide tag was still intact and nicely attached). We had just got the jacket in, so we put a '50s Talon "Tear Dropper" on the jacket, gave him a discount, and sent him to MASH's website! This was truly one of the nicest '30s Half Belts jackets that I've ever seen (yet, probably produced in '38 or '39ish, so after '35).

Here the beauty is with it's new, proud owner!

 

[fedoralover]

Here's an authentic mid to late '30s Half Belt that we sold to an Insurrection customer last weekend. The horsehide was absolutely incredible! Probably 3.5 ounces!!! There were only two flaws on the entire jacket--1) the diamond Talon pull on the chest pocket was missing and 2) the tag was missing (yet the horsehide tag was still intact and nicely attached). We had just got the jacket in, so we put a '50s Talon "Tear Dropper" on the jacket, gave him a discount, and sent him to MASH's website! This was truly one of the nicest '30s Half Belts jackets that I've ever seen (yet, probably produced in '38 or '39ish, so after '35).

Here the beauty is with it's new, proud owner!

Wow!! Nice jacket, could you post some more pics showing the pockets and the back. It has similarities with a jacket I have and it might help me date it.

Here's a pic. I've never been sure of it's age.

fedoralover

 

[Mojo1975]

Wow!! Nice jacket, could you post some more pics showing the pockets and the back. It has similarities with a jacket I have and it might help me date it.

Here's a pic. I've never been sure of it's age.

fedoralover

Given the style and the snaps on the pocket flaps, my guess is that it's, at earliest, late 1950s. Yet, I'd think it's probably more of a 1960s jacket. Yet, I'd have to see the zips, the tag, and the liner to tell ya for sure.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any other pictures of the '30s Half Belt. We were basically cleaning it up when this particular customer came in and picked it up, literally, off of the floor! We were just happy that he stopped by the next day so we could snap a picture of him!

 

[fedoralover]

On mine the label says "Hercules" Genuine Horsehide, Sears and Roebuck clothing company. Conmar zips. here's an inside pic. I just noticed you are from Seattle, I got this jacket in Seattle in that antique store on the waterfront, below Pikes Market. The store owner said a guy in his 90s had just brought it in and it was his jacket when he was young. But when your 90 that could take in quite a range. But I don't remember ever seeing jackets like this from the 60s and I am 60.

fedoralover

 

[Mojo1975]

On mine the label says "Hercules" Genuine Horsehide, Sears and Roebuck clothing company. Conmar zips. here's an inside pic. I just noticed you are from Seattle, I got this jacket in Seattle in that antique store on the waterfront, below Pikes Market. The store owner said a guy in his 90s had just brought it in and it was his jacket when he was young. But when your 90 that could take in quite a range. But I don't remember ever seeing jackets like this from the 60s and I am 60.

fedoralover

...I used to work with Danny at Jack Hammer, the shop where you purchased the jacket. Looking at the inside Hercules tag (and, given the fact that it DOES have Conmar zips) makes me think that it's late 1940s / early 1950s. If it was '30s or earlier, I think the pocket flaps wouldn't have snaps... Other Fedora Loungers might be able to help us out here too...

 

[himelator]

tag

...I used to work with Danny at Jack Hammer, the shop where you purchased the jacket. Looking at the inside Hercules tag (and, given the fact that it DOES have Conmar zips) makes me think that it's late 1940s / early 1950s. If it was '30s or earlier, I think the pocket flaps wouldn't have snaps... Other Fedora Loungers might be able to help us out here too...

tend to agree..the best way to date any jacket is find the catalogue it was sold in....I havent seen that model but that tag from Hercules cut out with pinking shears and printed in gold ink was used on their 1950s d pocket jacket as well

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks 1950's to me.

 

[mimesis2nemesis]

Has anyone got pictures of one of the earliest Perfectos? I know I should buy the Rin Tanaka book, but until I can finally get my hands on a copy I thought I could see if I found something here. That late 30's, early 40's halfbelt looks amazing, BTW.

 

[ace12]

Here's an authentic mid to late '30s Half Belt that we sold to an Insurrection customer last weekend. The horsehide was absolutely incredible! Probably 3.5 ounces!!! There were only two flaws on the entire jacket--1) the diamond Talon pull on the chest pocket was missing and 2) the tag was missing (yet the horsehide tag was still intact and nicely attached). We had just got the jacket in, so we put a '50s Talon "Tear Dropper" on the jacket, gave him a discount, and sent him to MASH's website! This was truly one of the nicest '30s Half Belts jackets that I've ever seen (yet, probably produced in '38 or '39ish, so after '35).

Here the beauty is with it's new, proud owner!

Apologies to all the Loungers for contacting Mojo1975 through this method since Mojo's mail box is full.:eusa_doh:I'm wondering if Mojo1975 has a spare Talon Tear Dropper zipper for the replacement of my damaged one? Or members here can point some directions? Appreciated and apologies to you all again!

 

[gyrobroyeur]

Hi,
I just purchase this one (very similar to fedoralover's one):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=170626350646&si=vRbKpWN1BdLTZiAgV0w32mtNkKg%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT#ht_960wt_1141

The seller says 40's, what is your point of view guy's? Thank's.

 

[Edward]

Wow!! Nice jacket, could you post some more pics showing the pockets and the back. It has similarities with a jacket I have and it might help me date it.

Here's a pic. I've never been sure of it's age.

fedoralover

I shouldn't really even dare to comment here, comparing my pitiful knowledge to these guys, but.... from the overall silhoette, I'd have said Fifties.... That slightly boxier cut reminds me of an early mid Fifties Pendleton. Overall, actually, it puts me in mind of a Fifties take on an Indiana Jones jacket - a little bit longer, a little bit squarer cut, but lose the zipped chest pocket, and you're halfway there....