Identifying leather type on older Schott Perfecto

[jeo]

Was at a punk rock flea market here in Philly last weekend where I found this old Schott Perfecto. I’ve kind of moved on from biker style jackets in the past few years. The last cross zip style jacket I had was from a more fashion oriented brand and I sold it because I just wasn’t wearing it enough. I would always just seem to gravitate towards my half belt styles. Also, these jackets usually never fit me right, either being always bulky in the body or having really baggy sleeves. But I tried it on and the cut is pretty trim and it fit me surprisingly well. The jacket is beautifully broken in. The leather is soft and supple yet still very sturdy and it still creaks! Given the fit and the low price (I was also able to talk the seller down a bit), I bought it. And boy am I happy I did! I forgot how cool and badass these types of jackets make you look and feel. Since I bought this jacket I’ve already worn it a bunch and it’s probably my most comfortable leather jacket to wear. My love for the cross zip has been renewed!

I uploaded photos to the Schott forum and Gail identified it as being from either 1983 or 1984 based on the coin pocket ticket, which is pretty cool since I was born in 1984. What she couldn’t tell me from just looking at photos is wether it’s a 118 naked cowhide or a 618 steer-hide.

Is there a way to figure out the leather type? Is there a dead giveaway? I don’t have much experience with older Schotts. Any help would be appreciated.

Here are some photos of the jacket.

And here are a few fit pics.

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[ksozay]

Bull label (bull on label) is from mid to late 70s. Steerhide. Great jacket.

Gail knows this, not sure why she dated the jacket later unless she didn’t see the label.


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[ton312]

Man that fits to the nuts!!! If I could get that fit from Schott...DONE. Nice man!! NICE!!

 

[jeo]

Bull label (bull on label) is from mid to late 70s. Steerhide. Great jacket.

Gail knows this, not sure why she dated the jacket later unless she didn’t see the label.


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Hmm..interesting. She did see the label. This was her response:

“... appears the jacket is either a Naked Cowhide style #118 or the Steerhide version #618. Based on the main Perfecto label with the Bull & the wording Schott "NYC", this label was used in our jackets in the early-mid 80's. The most telling is the Schott logo pocket ticket which we used on our jackets in 1983 & 1984...”


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[jeo]

Man that fits to the nuts!!! If I could get that fit from Schott...DONE. Nice man!! NICE!!

Thanks man! If anyone knows how nail the fit of a cross zip, it’s you, all your cross zips fit so nice!


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[ton312]

Thanks man! If anyone knows how nail the fit of a cross zip, it’s you, all your cross zips fit so nice!


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They are great jackets to wear aren't they? I've got my on on a couple right now. Definitely my favorite style. I love this Schott of yours. Stellar jacket, leather looks amazing and the fit is literally perfect. Nicely done!

 

[jeo]

They are great jackets to wear aren't they? I've got my on on a couple right now. Definitely my favorite style. I love this Schott of yours. Stellar jacket, leather looks amazing and the fit is literally perfect. Nicely done!

Very much so. Although I’ve owned cross zip styles, I’ve never owned a Schott Perfecto. I’m hooked. What surprised me the most is how comfortable it is. Really great range of motion.

I’m sure you can achieve the fit you want from a perfecto. I think the challenge is just finding one that has the right cut and fit that you’re looking for. From what I understand Schott has changed the sizing of these constantly throughout the years.


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[sweetfights]

Was at a punk rock flea market here in Philly last weekend where I found this old Schott Perfecto. I’ve kind of moved on from biker style jackets in the past few years. The last cross zip style jacket I had was from a more fashion oriented brand and I sold it because I just wasn’t wearing it enough. I would always just seem to gravitate towards my half belt styles. Also, these jackets usually never fit me right, either being always bulky in the body or having really baggy sleeves. But I tried it on and the cut is pretty trim and it fit me surprisingly well. The jacket is beautifully broken in. The leather is soft and supple yet still very sturdy and it still creaks! Given the fit and the low price (I was also able to talk the seller down a bit), I bought it. And boy am I happy I did! I forgot how cool and badass these types of jackets make you look and feel. Since I bought this jacket I’ve already worn it a bunch and it’s probably my most comfortable leather jacket to wear. My love for the cross zip has been renewed!

I uploaded photos to the Schott forum and Gail identified it as being from either 1983 or 1984 based on the coin pocket ticket, which is pretty cool since I was born in 1984. What she couldn’t tell me from just looking at photos is wether it’s a 118 naked cowhide or a 618 steer-hide.

Is there a way to figure out the leather type? Is there a dead giveaway? I don’t have much experience with older Schotts. Any help would be appreciated.

Here are some photos of the jacket.

And here are a few fit pics.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Superb fit and awesome looking leather. Congrats!!!

 

[jeo]

Superb fit and awesome looking leather. Congrats!!!

Thanks man! Yeah I’m loving the leather on this thing. The grain is spectacular! I just wish I could confirm what leather it is. Just like @ksozay said, I thought that any label with the bull on it meant that it’s steerhide, but apparently not.


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[dannyk]

Thanks man! Yeah I’m loving the leather on this thing. The grain is spectacular! I just wish I could confirm what leather it is. Just like @ksozay said, I thought that any label with the bull on it meant that it’s steerhide, but apparently not.


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That’s because of Schotts silly way of labeling jackets. Their Steer doesn’t actually have to come from a male cow/bull/steer it’s just what they call their cowhide that has a finish on it, where as the “naked cowhide” is simply the hide that doesn’t have the glossy Schott finish on it. So both are just cow hide but in a different finish so either one can have the steer label in it, and neither one necessarily is even steer.

 

[JMax]

My bet is steerhide. It is a very different leather than the schott naked cowhide vest I own. Your is much nicer. Great fit too. Perfect find.

 

[Edward]

Have you looked inside the coin pocket? Schotts have a little label in there which tells you which model it is (unless it's been removed).

The lack of logos on the snaps mean that it is definitely no later than the mid eighties, which is when these were first added to the 118 & 618 (the 613 still has no logo snaps). Also, prior to the 90s, the fit will be identical in a same-size 118/618, the sole difference being the leather.

 

[jeo]

My bet is steerhide. It is a very different leather than the schott naked cowhide vest I own. Your is much nicer. Great fit too. Perfect find.

Thanks!


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[jeo]

Have you looked inside the coin pocket? Schotts have a little label in there which tells you which model it is (unless it's been removed).

The lack of logos on the snaps mean that it is definitely no later than the mid eighties, which is when these were first added to the 118 & 618 (the 613 still has no logo snaps). Also, prior to the 90s, the fit will be identical in a same-size 118/618, the sole difference being the leather.

Yes. I uploaded a photo of that little tag in my initial query to Gail.

Size is on the bottom and you can barley make out the word “lot” on the top but nothing else next to it.


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[Edward]

Yes, the original label is clearly missing... pity. If it had even had th lot number, Schott could have told you. Not sure there is any other way now, other than comparison against as many known-model, age-appropriate 118/618s, which would give you some idea.

 

[Monitor]

Man that fits to the nuts!!! If I could get that fit from Schott...DONE. Nice man!! NICE!!

Seconded a million times! Fits you so perfectly it's not even fair! Getting this biker style to fit this great by any maker is a miracle, especially so with Schott. Wouldn't look for another cross zip jacket ever again if I could ever get one to fit me like that. And the creases, leather, wear... Everything's just it.

As for the leather, it's Naked Cowhide. Well, at least that's what I'd wager all my money on but really can't be anything else.

 

[jeo]

Seconded a million times! Fits you so perfectly it's not even fair! Getting this biker style to fit this great by any maker is a miracle, especially so with Schott. Wouldn't look for another cross zip jacket ever again if I could ever get one to fit me like that. And the creases, leather, wear... Everything's just it.

As for the leather, it's Naked Cowhide. Well, at least that's what I'd wager all my money on but really can't be anything else.

Thanks man, appreciate it! Yeah I was really surprised at how well it fit. I got lucky.

What makes you say naked cowhide?


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[Monitor]

What makes you say naked cowhide?
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The hide is virtually identical in every single way to every single Schott jacket confirmed to be Naked Cowhide that I ever had. Down to the way it creases. And it's very different to those made from Steerhide.

I would be hilarious if Gail says it's Steerhide 'cause of course, I could be wrong but as it stands, I'm certain this is Naked Cowhide.

 

[jeo]

The hide is virtually identical in every single way to every single Schott jacket confirmed to be Naked Cowhide that I ever had. Down to the way it creases. And it's very different to those made from Steerhide.

I would be hilarious if Gail says it's Steerhide 'cause of course, I could be wrong but as it stands, I'm certain this is Naked Cowhide.

Gail said she couldn’t confirm it just from looking at the photos.

I’ve never owned one so I have zero experience. Thanks for your insight.



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[Monitor]

Naked Cow jacket that I had.