Period zipper finds

[Will Zach]

I thought I'd start a thread since there is much interest in period zippers, and there is so much to learn. There are plenty of short threads/questions/discussions on zippers, but no "finds" thread. Not sure if a thread like that is really necessary; if Bartenders feel this should be merged with another zipper thread please go ahead. If someone finds a period spring-loaded #10 Crown in mint condition for $10, post it right here.... I was prompted to start this thread by coming across this seemingly awesome #10 National zipper that I know nothing about... This thread could also serve for @photo2u to post examples of his awesome collection and share his expert knowledge.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/323869435045?hash=item4b681f64a5:g:usUAAOSwPMpdO7yW

The above ebay seller has a bunch of other zips, not cheap.

 

[JMax]

These fellow and Photo have to be related lol. Pretty cool.

Doesn’t Photo have some sort of connect in Mexico. I recall a picture of some workspace crammed with hundreds if not thousands of vtg zippers. They could make a killing on eBay.

 

[tmitchell59]

I do like zippers I'm always reminded that the zipper was not commonly use until the early 1930s. I do not know the year of this ad. An invention which we take for granted today.

I'm always on the look out for vintage zippers, primarily from the 30s and 40s. I buy them when I can or other garments just for the zippers.

I have a pretty good knowledge of Talon zippers through the years. The other brands seemed to mimic Talon in their designs, which helps to date the zippers and garments.

 

[tmitchell59]

here is a slideshow with a variety of 40s Talon zippers. This style is very common through out the 40s ended in the late 40s.

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[photo2u]

You know I love those CALIFONIANS...

 

[photo2u]

I thought I'd start a thread since there is much interest in period zippers, and there is so much to learn. There are plenty of short threads/questions/discussions on zippers, but no "finds" thread. Not sure if a thread like that is really necessary; if Bartenders feel this should be merged with another zipper thread please go ahead. If someone finds a period spring-loaded #10 Crown in mint condition for $10, post it right here.... I was prompted to start this thread by coming across this seemingly awesome #10 National zipper that I know nothing about... This thread could also serve for @photo2u to post examples of his awesome collection and share his expert knowledge.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/323869435045?hash=item4b681f64a5:g:usUAAOSwPMpdO7yW

View attachment 447298

The above ebay seller has a bunch of other zips, not cheap.

Nice post. The zipper is nice. I would not use it on heavy leathers. These were made by Ideal. National did make good #5 zippers. The particular eBay seller is a very knowledgeable person. He also sells other products. Personally, I love some of his lining fabrics. I have purchased items from him to complete some projects. He does know what he sells.

 

[tmitchell59]

This is the first mention of a "Big" zipper in the 1957 Sears catalog.

 

[Will Zach]

Nice post. The zipper is nice. I would not use it on heavy leathers. These were made by Ideal. National did make good #5 zippers. The particular eBay seller is a very knowledgeable person. He also sells other products. Personally, I love some of his lining fabrics. I have purchased items from him to complete some projects. He does know what he sells.

I came across this guy while looking for a 2" brass belt buckle. He has one, but super-pricey at $30+. Then I noticed the zippers and thought to start a thread.

 

[photo2u]

T, Thank you for taking the time to create the videos.

 

[Peacoat]

Excellent idea for a thread. While it isn't outerwear, it certainly is closely related to outerwear.

I am going to post a link to this thread in the Important Threads section at the top of this section. That way, when it falls off the first few pages it will be easily found.

 

[Claybertrand]

Nice post. The zipper is nice. I would not use it on heavy leathers. These were made by Ideal. National did make good #5 zippers. The particular eBay seller is a very knowledgeable person. He also sells other products. Personally, I love some of his lining fabrics. I have purchased items from him to complete some projects. He does know what he sells.

I agree. This Seller, along with @photo2u and a couple of Veteran Members of the Lounge are true zipper gurus. Was it Dinerman who had a book about zippers at his bedside!?!?!?!?!?!!?!? I have bought a few zippers from this Seller. He DOES know what he has and how rare they are. It seems the majority of quality vintage zippers on various sales platforms are his listings.

I try to pick up vintage zippers myself for future needs.

@Will Zach ----GREAT thread man. Long overdue........ some of us have talked about doing a Zipper specific thread so this is something the Lounge should certainly find useful.

PLEASE---someone help dig up that thread that had the story of the founding of Talon and how Lightning in Canada shot off from it. That is an interesting and informative story. It would be a nice addition to this thread.

Can't wait til we delve into the Pocket ZIpper chain pulls.........

 

[Will Zach]

Glad that you guys like the idea for the thread. I'd be interested to know how to tell modern repros from NOS. For example, this #10 Talon. Has plastic laminated to the ends of the tape - repro? Any good?

 

[Claybertrand]

Glad that you guys like the idea for the thread. I'd be interested to know how to tell modern repros from NOS. For example, this #10 Talon. Has plastic laminated to the ends of the tape - repro? Any good?

View attachment 447809

View attachment 447810

View attachment 447811

Just my 2 cents----but I purchased what was listed as a NOS #10 Brass Talon from this Seller and I opted to get one with a beige tape and dye it black with fabric markers (turned out perfect). I also antiqued the whole zipper as best I could as it was going on an old unlabeled Taubers with brass talon tear drop pull hardware. I have confirmed that this zipper has the plastic reinforced tape near the base. so assuming it is truly NOS---and no reason to think otherwise coming from a reputable and knowledgeable Seller---the plastic does not itself mean the zipper is a repro. That pull looks like one of the short stubby #10s. Not sure if that can be used to date or otherwise ID this zipper but it is a difference to possibly take note of.

 

[Peacoat]

I agree. This Seller, along with @photo2u and a couple of Veteran Members of the Lounge are true zipper gurus. Was it Dinerman who had a book about zippers at his bedside!?!?!?!?!?!!?!? I have bought a few zippers from this Seller. He DOES know what he has and how rare they are. It seems the majority of quality vintage zippers on various sales platforms are his listings.

I try to pick up vintage zippers myself for future needs.

@Will Zach ----GREAT thread man. Long overdue........ some of us have talked about doing a Zipper specific thread so this is something the Lounge should certainly find useful.

PLEASE---someone help dig up that thread that had the story of the founding of Talon and how Lightning in Canada shot off from it. That is an interesting and informative story. It would be a nice addition to this thread.

Can't wait til we delve into the Pocket ZIpper chain pulls.........

May have been Dman, but not positive who it was. I had located that book (rare) in a book store in Brooklyn. When I called to tell the owner I wanted it, it had already been sold. Rats!

 

[Claybertrand]

May have been Dman, but not positive who it was. I had located that book (rare) in a book store in Brooklyn. When I called to tell the owner I wanted it, it had already been sold. Rats!

Darn it!!! We gotta get a hold of that book!!!!!!

"Nothing worthwhile is easy."
-Clark W. Griswold

 

[Peacoat]

Darn it!!! We gotta get a hold of that book!!!!!!

"Nothing worthwhile is easy."
-Clark W. Griswold

I tried for about a year or so, and left my number with the owner if he saw another one. No joy.

 

[Will Zach]

Here's another puzzle - I found cool Prentice USA pocket zippers on a no-name police jacket. Any ideas as to dating them?

 

[Will Zach]

Is this the book?

https://zippergear.com/en/contents.html

 

[Peacoat]

Is this the book?

https://zippergear.com/en/contents.html

I'm thinking the book in question was much older than this one, but it may be worth looking into.

EDIT NOTE: I just looked at the ad, and this book is written by a Japanese and is in Japanese. It's not the same book; however, if it were in English, I would buy it. My Japanese is a bit rusty.