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Mystery "Aero" Half-Belt, need help identifying

JanW

New in Town
Messages
43
Hi all,

I purchased this jacket extremely cheap from a garage sale. The seller says he does not have any information regarding the jacket, as he only used it once for a photo shoot and then was stored for a long time (note the horizontal crease, which I suspect came from folding, which I don't mind). It has no tags and appears to have a replacement lining, but for the life of me really looks to me like an Aero half-belt.










I can't identify the leather either, very thick and heavy (my Aero Highwayman is 2.6kg, this jacket weighs 2.2kg), but has a different hand than horsehide. More waxy and stiff, with lots of color gradiation. I suspect its either calf or steer. It didn't seem to have much wrinkling in the joints when I brought it, so I suspect it wasn't worn much. I wore it for half a day, and the arms are already starting to lose stiffness. Hardware uses vintage brass Talon zippers for main and chest pocket. Construction seems solid, similar to Aero jackets I have.




aluminium molecular formula

The question is, what is this thing? Is it possible that some enterprising leatherworker reproduced a half-belt somehow, or is this a real Aero?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
Boy that really does look like an Aero! The collar shape and the half belt side cinchers...you may have struck gold there. Regardless, it fits you really well. Score!
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Yup whatever it is, for a garage sale find you done did good. Even the fit is really freaking good. I wish I could find something like that at a garage sale.
 

Harris HTM

One Too Many
Messages
1,890
Location
In the Depths of R'lyeh
Indeed it looks like an Aero. Except for the inner pocket, I have never come across such a pocket in Aero, though I was this was an option. I would contact Aero to get more info. In any case it is a great find! Enjoy it!
 

oneterrifichog

Practically Family
Messages
876
Location
Alexandria, Va
I think you have a really nice jacket but I doubt it is an Aero or Lost Worlds Jacket. I think the color is off for both companies even allowing for the color coming across online it really looks sort of reddish brown to me and the leather looks thinner than both companies usually use. Now having said this I think it is an excellent representation of a half belt jacket.
 

Willybob

A-List Customer
Messages
371
Could it be a Bill Kelso? The interior pocket and interior leather hem strip are Kelso characteristics. Does it have a tag hidden in a pocket? What side is the zip pull on?
IMG_2374.JPG
IMG_2375.JPG
IMG_2376.JPG
 

rocketeer

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,605
Location
England
I would say not Aero due to the cuff depth. It was the first thing I noticed so must be different. I could not see Aero making the cuffs that deep.
Nice colour and a great buy. If you got it really cheap I would consider trading as from the back it looks too big, but the look can depend on how you adjust the side straps or whether you wear it undone during the photography of the back pics.
Still a nice jacket :)
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,944
Location
London
I also vote not an Aero.
The stitch lines are too far from the edges (especially the bottom hem one), the lining is not attached to the bottom of the jacket the Aero way, the inside pocket is wrong, there is a hanging tab, and the collar also has a very non Aero thing going on.
It does look like a well made jacket though!
 

Worf

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,207
Location
Troy, New York, USA
I'm not sure of the jackets "progeny" however I think it looks outstanding! And if you got it for garage sale money???? What a steal. I'd not look that "gift horse" in the chompers believe me!

Worf
 
Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
I'm not sure of the jackets "progeny" however I think it looks outstanding! And if you got it for garage sale money???? What a steal. I'd not look that "gift horse" in the chompers believe me!

Worf
Couldn't agree more. If I found that at a garage sale I'd have to quickly move to cash table and pay and leave before I lost it and started giggling like a school girl. Be lucky to find a big wheel without a rusty nail in the peddle at the garage sales around here.
 

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