Schott 141 cafe racer, collar wear

[Gamma68]

Hi everyone.

Today, I picked up a second-hand Schott 141 "Classic Racer," made in naked cowhide with a softer hand. The liner was not available.

Based on the tag barcode, I believe it dates from 2003.

The jacket is in nice shape, except for the collar and surrounding upper interior which is really worn out (see photos). There is another wear spot on the collar exterior.

This wear seems extreme to me compared to the rest of the jacket. Would rubbing against a shirt collar alone cause this? Is this wear characteristic of naked cowhide? If so, this wear doesn't speak to durability.

I'm wondering about sending this jacket to Schott for a collar replacement and a liner. But if it's going to just wear like this again by rubbing against my shirt collar, I'm not sure it's worth it.

Any suggestions?

 

[Monitor]

No, shirt collar couldn't have done that nor was it made by sweaty neck or anything like that - That's actual damage. Either that or the previous owner was sweating acid. No amount of rubbing could've done this. Naked cowhide is as durable as any and the kind Schott is using is no different. It's an extremely hard wearing leather.

Something happened to this jacket. Can't imagine what but yeah...

 

[Gamma68]

Yeah, after looking at other examples online, I've yet to see one with this kind of wear.

Now I'm not sure what to do with it.

 

[Bullitt]

Looks as if the damage came from the interior zipper that runs around the collar. What’s the us of this anyway?

 

[Monitor]

It actually looks a lot like slide damage... But I don't see how it could've happen at that area.

Looks as if the damage came from the interior zipper that runs around the collar. What’s the us of this anyway?

It's for a removable zip-out lining. Probably the fuzzy one... Anyway, good theory! I think the zipper is sewn into the lining, it'd be really hard getting it all the way up to the collar. But it would explain the wear. I just noticed the lining zipper tape is chewed up as well. Weird.

 

[ton312]

Very cool jacket! I wouldn't worry about tbh. It would take 150 more years of abuse to get thru that collar. And as monitor said you'd have to be sweating out some kind of corrosive chemical. I'd just wear and enjoy!

 

[Monitor]

Seconded. It's actually one of the nicer Schotts. Looks heavy too. If it doesn't bother you, enjoy your new jacket.
Just wanna add, these are seriously good jackets and if you really want to send it back to Schott for repairs, I say go ahead and do it 'cause they're seriously worth it. Quality-wise, you can't upgrade from a good Schott. Yeah, there are nicer looking hides out there and no doubt a custom tailored jacket will fit you better but there isn't anything else you can buy that's going to last you any longer that this one. That's something I'm absolutely sure of.

 

[Gamma68]

Thanks, guys. I hear what you're saying about the general durability of naked cowhide. And it is a fairly heavy jacket.

Maybe some of the damage comes from the interior lining zipper rubbing against the leather, but that doesn't explain the wear on the top of the collar or collar exterior.

The collar wear is bugging me at the moment. Mostly because I can't fathom how someone could treat a jacket like this. I can certainly accept general wear, but this is abuse.

I'll send some photos to Schott and ask about repairs. I'm fearful that it won't be cost effective.

Also, the fit is pretty good but could be a little more snug. Would I make up the difference if I added a replacement liner?

 

[ton312]

Thanks, guys. I hear what you're saying about the general durability of naked cowhide. And it is a fairly heavy jacket.

Maybe some of the damage comes from the interior lining zipper rubbing against the leather, but that doesn't explain the wear on the top of the collar or collar exterior.

The collar wear is bugging me at the moment. Mostly because I can't fathom how someone could treat a jacket like this. I can certainly accept general wear, but this is abuse.

I'll send some photos to Schott and ask about repairs. I'm fearful that it won't be cost effective.

Also, the fit is pretty good but could be a little more snug. Would I make up the difference if I added a replacement liner?

Those fuzzy liners are the worst in my opinion. I almost always pitch them! Throw a hoody under it and be good to go.

 

[Gamma68]

Oh, didn't know they were bad. What's the problem with them? If it's a better idea to put funds into repairs rather than liner replacement, then I'll go that route.

Those fuzzy liners are the worst in my opinion. I almost always pitch them! Throw a hoody under it and be good to go.

 

[Benproof]

Oh dear!

Gamma - looks like someone's thrown it in the washing machine.

I've never seen any of my Schott go through anything like this either. The threading have come undone (sadly not tripled stitched, let alone double stitched on the arms)...metal poppers come off with the hardware. Some of their EU manufactured off-shoot is really lacking in the same quality though. I prefer the vintage Schott (90's) cut in any case.

FWIW, it's probably going to look really odd if you get a new collar: the naked cowhide won't match easily. I have a naked cowhide Schott from the 90s and it's been out in the rain and sleet and still hasn't seen anything like this......get a new Schott jacket

 

[Guppy]

Oh, didn't know they were bad. What's the problem with them? If it's a better idea to put funds into repairs rather than liner replacement, then I'll go that route.

I think they just feel gross, particularly once they a decade or two old.

 

[Butch_Coolidge]

It looks like the zipper may have been pushed up for an extended time, and rubbed against the inside top part of the collar. I would also just wear a hoodie and not give it a second thought. I wear a similar leather all winter long with a hoodie. It's not exactly country club dress code.....thankfully.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ton312]

I think they just feel gross, particularly once they a decade or two old.

Indeed. And for some reason they hold odors. I don't think they contribute to the fit either gamma. Don't overthink it. It's a great jacket. I'd just wear it as is and let it run it's long, long course. Collar isn't going anywhere. I had a vintage CAL with massive cracks at the back of the collar. They never got any better...or worse.

 

[eugenesque]

It looks like someone tried to distress the leather but it went wrong. Too much sandpaper and acetone perhaps caused a tear?

 

[Gamma68]

I don't think it's a shoddy attempt at distressing, unless someone wanted to start distressing at the collar and abandoned the project. As suggested earlier, I think the interior zipper rubbed against the collar for an extended period. This doesn't explain the spot of exterior collar wear.

How this wear could've occurred is beyond me. Plain negligence.

My thoughts about repairing or just plain living with it are premature until I figure out if this jacket is a good fit. I'll post some fit pics in a bit for feedback.

 

[Rich22]

That's some incredible damage there.

Forget going through the washing machine, that looks like it's been through a cement mixer...

If the rest of the jacket is fine, personally I would change the collar.

 

[TREEMAN]

Looks like someone had it hanging up on a hook or something in a garage or shed.............and it keep rubbing on the collar area.

 

[Gamma68]

Here are fit pics.

Since this jacket is a heavier cowhide, is it considered one to wear with heavier shirts as opposed to thin T-shirts? I'm wearing a mid-weight flannel shirt underneath.

I have the side adjusters at the middle hole.

 

[Gamma68]

I heard back from Schott re: repair costs. Here's what they say:

New zip out liner - $95.00
Replace collar - $105.00
Replace leather under collar on the inside - $45.00
Return S/H - $15.00 (within the Continental US)
Repair total - $260.00

The jacket appears to be from 2003.