A heavyweight 50s CHP jacket from Cal Leather. This is in very heavy but supple hide which given the era I assume is horsehide, but someone here may know more than I do about differentiating these. This is marked 40L but by today’s standards is probably a 38R, and as with all of these, it’s an athletic, triangular cut, even without tightening the side laces (which are absent but easy to replace).
Given that this is likely a duty-worn 70 year-old jacket I think it’s held up pretty well, but there are quite a few cosmetic flaws. I have not conditioned the jacket or done anything to mask these as I imagine the new owner will have their own preferences about patina. Of note are the loss of topcoat around the collar, the rips in the lining under the collar, and some tears in the gussets. The main (YKK) and pocket (Crown C&C) zips are replacements and the one of the original serval sleeve zippers is missing the puller. The stitching has come loose on one of the pocket zippers. All zips function. Fairly certain the sleeve gussets are a later addition as this is not how Cal did them, and they are a less good-quality leather.
This can be worn as is (I have done so!) but I have priced it as a project jacket—£150 plus postage.
Here’s the measurements. It’s a bit hard due to thickness so allow for a small amount of variance. Do check the waist as the chest to waist drop is significant. Better to size up in the chest and shoulders than be unable to do up the front!
Chest: 21.25/54
Shoulders: 18/46
Waist (unlaced): 17/43
Length: 23.25/59
Sleeves: 23.75/60
Weight: 2.34kg/5.16lbs
I am 5’7.5” and 9st 6lbs approx, usually wear 36 or 38 jackets.
Given that this is likely a duty-worn 70 year-old jacket I think it’s held up pretty well, but there are quite a few cosmetic flaws. I have not conditioned the jacket or done anything to mask these as I imagine the new owner will have their own preferences about patina. Of note are the loss of topcoat around the collar, the rips in the lining under the collar, and some tears in the gussets. The main (YKK) and pocket (Crown C&C) zips are replacements and the one of the original serval sleeve zippers is missing the puller. The stitching has come loose on one of the pocket zippers. All zips function. Fairly certain the sleeve gussets are a later addition as this is not how Cal did them, and they are a less good-quality leather.
This can be worn as is (I have done so!) but I have priced it as a project jacket—£150 plus postage.
Here’s the measurements. It’s a bit hard due to thickness so allow for a small amount of variance. Do check the waist as the chest to waist drop is significant. Better to size up in the chest and shoulders than be unable to do up the front!
Chest: 21.25/54
Shoulders: 18/46
Waist (unlaced): 17/43
Length: 23.25/59
Sleeves: 23.75/60
Weight: 2.34kg/5.16lbs
I am 5’7.5” and 9st 6lbs approx, usually wear 36 or 38 jackets.
