Cal-Leather

[Chevalier]

I saw the tag, where did you find it?

There is a new vintage store that opened near me. There are two really nice kids who run it. I like to try to support local vintage when I can.

 

[Leigh H]

Thanks to this thread, I bought this jacket when I saw it. I think it is a Cal, but I am wondering what others think. The back looks spot on like a six panel to me. Finally, the arms are long enough for me! The chest and shoulders are a little tight, but it also feels like it will ease up with a little wear. The zips are all Serval.
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there's one of these on ebay right now,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265492884387

 

[Leigh H]

Here is that Star Glove straight zip that was on eBay a few weeks ago @Will Zach I couldn’t resist. It’s only just arrived.

Condition of the jacket is really good, leather hadn’t been cleaned and was very stiff, I’ve conditioned it with some urad tenderly. It should soften up like my cross zip did.

The crown zipper is sluggish and stiff, i think the teeth need cleaning. They’ve oxidised a little. I’m anxious when using these crown zippers, I know they are prone to breaking, I guess that’s why you don’t see many around on jackets anymore.

I’m not a big fan of epaulets but they don’t bother me as much now i see them. It’s always tempting to cut them off but I won’t.

It’s a heavy ba***rd, it feels like a tank. I imagine it protects you well in a motorcycle crash.

Well I think this is my last Cal / Star Glove jacket for a while now. I’m just about to check myself into a leather jacket rehab clinic.

This forum has been feeding my addiction too long.

Until next time!

 

[Jasonissm]

Here is that Star Glove straight zip that was on eBay a few weeks ago @Will Zach I couldn’t resist. It’s only just arrived.

Condition of the jacket is really good, leather hadn’t been cleaned and was very stiff, I’ve conditioned it with some urad tenderly. It should soften up like my cross zip did.

The crown zipper is sluggish and stiff, i think the teeth need cleaning. They’ve oxidised a little. I’m anxious when using these crown zippers, I know they are prone to breaking, I guess that’s why you don’t see many around on jackets anymore.

I’m not a big fan of epaulets but they don’t bother me as much now i see them. It’s always tempting to cut them off but I won’t.

It’s a heavy ba***rd, it feels like a tank. I imagine it protects you well in a motorcycle crash.

Well I think this is my last Cal / Star Glove jacket for a while now. I’m just about to check myself into a leather jacket buyers rehab clinic.

This forum has been feeding my addiction too long.

Until next time!

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Oh my, I was very tempted by this jacket but they wouldn't do international shipping. Very glad somebody from the Lounge got it so I can drool at these photos, wow! Grail jacket!

 

[Wildhorses]

Star Glove : Grrrrrrrrrrr ! And look at these double leather cuffs !

 

[Will Zach]

Here is that Star Glove straight zip that was on eBay a few weeks ago @Will Zach I couldn’t resist. It’s only just arrived.

Condition of the jacket is really good, leather hadn’t been cleaned and was very stiff, I’ve conditioned it with some urad tenderly. It should soften up like my cross zip did.

The crown zipper is sluggish and stiff, i think the teeth need cleaning. They’ve oxidised a little. I’m anxious when using these crown zippers, I know they are prone to breaking, I guess that’s why you don’t see many around on jackets anymore.

I’m not a big fan of epaulets but they don’t bother me as much now i see them. It’s always tempting to cut them off but I won’t.

It’s a heavy ba***rd, it feels like a tank. I imagine it protects you well in a motorcycle crash.

Well I think this is my last Cal / Star Glove jacket for a while now. I’m just about to check myself into a leather jacket buyers rehab clinic.

This forum has been feeding my addiction too long.

Until next time!

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It's okay, @Leigh H , not my size.... But my gosh, it is a tank! No skived seams for Star Glove! Awesome.

 

[photo2u]

Here is that Star Glove straight zip that was on eBay a few weeks ago @Will Zach I couldn’t resist. It’s only just arrived.

Condition of the jacket is really good, leather hadn’t been cleaned and was very stiff, I’ve conditioned it with some urad tenderly. It should soften up like my cross zip did.

The crown zipper is sluggish and stiff, i think the teeth need cleaning. They’ve oxidised a little. I’m anxious when using these crown zippers, I know they are prone to breaking, I guess that’s why you don’t see many around on jackets anymore.

I’m not a big fan of epaulets but they don’t bother me as much now i see them. It’s always tempting to cut them off but I won’t.

It’s a heavy ba***rd, it feels like a tank. I imagine it protects you well in a motorcycle crash.

Well I think this is my last Cal / Star Glove jacket for a while now. I’m just about to check myself into a leather jacket rehab clinic.

This forum has been feeding my addiction too long.

Until next time!

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As good as they get. Excellent quality! Looks great on you.

 

[Leigh H]

Cal at the James Dean Museum in Fairmount.

 

[Leigh H]

I wondered if it's the actual jacket, then i noticed it has the same crease mark on the collar.

 

[Aloysius]

The late Hoosier Daddy’s family was friends with Dean’s family so he saw him visit their house often when he was a kid.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

The late Hoosier Daddy’s family was friends with Dean’s family so he saw him visit their house often when he was a kid.

@HoosierDaddy, Van, never made a big deal about it but he was on a first name basis with the family. I’m sure he had some stories he could have shared.
I miss him, he was a good man.
B

 

[photo2u]

I wondered if it's the actual jacket, then i noticed it has the same crease mark on the collar.

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That is the same jacket. I have been to the museum and seen it as well. I also Confirmed with the nice people at Cal. in person when I spoke to them. My question was about the Conmar zipper. I always known it was a conmar but my buddy bet 100 dollars it was a Talon. From the Time magazine, the puller was the answer. However, my friend would just not accept it. I believe it was due to the fact he owned a 1950s with a nice talon. My friend is no longer with us and his cool jacket was passed to his grandson who rocks it as it should.

 

[Leigh H]

That is the same jacket. I have been to the museum and seen it as well. I also Confirmed with the nice people at Cal. in person when I spoke to them. My question was about the Conmar zipper. I always known it was a conmar but my buddy bet 100 dollars it was a Talon. From the Time magazine, the puller was the answer. However, my friend would just not accept it. I believe it was due to the fact he owned a 1950s with a nice talon. My friend is no longer with us and his cool jacket was passed to his grandson who rocks it as it should.

You were right!

 

[Albe64]

some fit pics


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Man....this jacket is something else!

 

[photo2u]

Conmar pulls curb inward unlike talons.

 

[tmitchell59]

Here is that Star Glove straight zip that was on eBay a few weeks ago @Will Zach I couldn’t resist. It’s only just arrived.

Condition of the jacket is really good, leather hadn’t been cleaned and was very stiff, I’ve conditioned it with some urad tenderly. It should soften up like my cross zip did.

The crown zipper is sluggish and stiff, i think the teeth need cleaning. They’ve oxidised a little. I’m anxious when using these crown zippers, I know they are prone to breaking, I guess that’s why you don’t see many around on jackets anymore.

I’m not a big fan of epaulets but they don’t bother me as much now i see them. It’s always tempting to cut them off but I won’t.

It’s a heavy ba***rd, it feels like a tank. I imagine it protects you well in a motorcycle crash.

Well I think this is my last Cal / Star Glove jacket for a while now. I’m just about to check myself into a leather jacket rehab clinic.

This forum has been feeding my addiction too long.

Until next time!

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That is a beauty, looks to have had limited use. I like the straight back hem, not the "duck tail". Though the jacket I'm wearing at the moment has one. (CSC, not a Star). This jacket has a Crown Zipper.

Does anyone have a verified date on the picture of Dean sitting on the Triumph?

@photo2u do you know the first years of this paper clip zipper introduction? I would assume Conmar was copying the Talon.

these paper clip zips are somewhat rare on 50s motorcycle jackets.

 

[Leigh H]

Does anyone have a verified date on the picture of Dean sitting on the Triumph?

@photo2u do you know the first years of this paper clip zipper introduction? I would assume Conmar was copying the Talon.

these paper clip zips are somewhat rare on 50s motorcycle jackets.

Same year of his death, 1955.

https://www.artsy.net/artwork/phil-stern-james-dean-on-motorcycle-sitting-on-front-los-angeles

 

[Leigh H]

@tmitchell59 pretty sure I found the conmar Paperclip zipper is from 1951.

Featured on the 1951 M-51 Field Jacket and fishtail Parker.

Talon paperclip might be different date.

​

 

[jonbuilder]

That is a beauty, looks to have had limited use. I like the straight back hem, not the "duck tail". Though the jacket I'm wearing at the moment has one. (CSC, not a Star). This jacket has a Crown Zipper.

Does anyone have a verified date on the picture of Dean sitting on the Triumph?

@photo2u do you know the first years of this paper clip zipper introduction? I would assume Conmar was copying the Talon.

these paper clip zips are somewhat rare on 50s motorcycle jackets.

I have a paper clip on one of my SGs the other two have Crowns

 

[photo2u]

That is a beauty, looks to have had limited use. I like the straight back hem, not the "duck tail". Though the jacket I'm wearing at the moment has one. (CSC, not a Star). This jacket has a Crown Zipper.

Does anyone have a verified date on the picture of Dean sitting on the Triumph?

@photo2u do you know the first years of this paper clip zipper introduction? I would assume Conmar was copying the Talon.

these paper clip zips are somewhat rare on 50s motorcycle jackets.

Paper clips were used in the early '40s. When I used to restore garments for my local aviation museum, I saw many paper clip zippers used in (talon, crown, and conmars) 40's military garments. In true honesty, as I stated before, conmar made excellent #10 military zippers. Durability-wise, conmar and talons have it over spring-loaded crowns. Reliability-wise, the none spring crowns are at the same level as the conmar and talon. However, The strongest military paper clip Zipper I have ever seen is still RiRi#10 with the metal riveted ends and the super strong wide teeth Talons. Lastly, the 50's military garment industry saw a vast use of #10 zippers used in the American field jackets. Ideal, serval, and others produced excellent zippers that are still in working order despite 60 to 70 years of service.