RARE ! Shirt Collar that's LEATHER

[Marc Chevalier]

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You read that right. A vintage detachable shirt collar that's made of leather (looks to be cowhide). Incredibly rare!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-Antique...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item4cfb64c767

 

[Feraud]

Very interesting. What period would anyone guess it is from? The auction titles calls it a uniform collar and mentions a potential military use. What jobs would have used a leather collar? Did the military use them?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I don't know, but it could just as easily have been a cowboy's collar.

 

[Tomasso]

That looks like a pain in the neck......

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

It does look more like something worn by a cowboy, though it could have been worn underneath a military uniform. The Marines' "Leatherneck" sobriquet dates back to the days of sailing ships when in battle Marines served as boarding parties (a role now carried out by the SEALs). The purpose of the leather collar they wore back then was to protect them from blows inflicted by edged weapons such as swords and cutlasses.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

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I reckon that if cowboy types could wear leather ties, they could also wear leather collars.

Leather ties: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-Vintage...867?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43aad78ceb

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

That would make an interesting ensemble.

 

[Feraud]

I don't recall vintage cowboy gear including a leather collar. Their gear was utilitarian first and foremost like cuffs, chaps, saddlery.
A leather collar seems to serve no purpose to a guy working cattle.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I don't recall vintage cowboy gear including a leather collar. Their gear was utilitarian first and foremost like cuffs, chaps, saddlery.
A leather collar seems to serve no purpose to a guy working cattle.

Not meant to be utilitarian, any more than leather neckties are. This would be something purely decorative for a western-minded man (perhaps a "dude"?) to wear on the town.

 

[carldelo]

Perhaps something for the well-dressed blacksmith - I could see this guy sporting that collar:

 

[esteban68]

Whilst this one looks quite comfortable and probably less prone to soiling being easier to clean and less likely to cause boils than wool etc the main reason for the wearing of leather collars or 'stocks' at least within the British army can be found here! http://www.95th-rifles.co.uk/Stocks_research_2nd 95th Rifles.pdf
During the 'African' wars it is said that the medical officers etc lanced more boils than they ever attended gunshot or wounds from other weapons.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

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The leather oddity on eBay ended up selling for $56 ... probably a record price for a man's vintage detachable shirt collar.