Sears Motorcylce Jacket History 1949-1963

[tmitchell59]

The Sears Hercules I received recently, just conditioned a bit. Lovely MC jacket.

Spectacular Jacket! I now see California Sportswear Company as the makers of this jacket. I will get mine pictured and do some comparison with CSC jackets I have. I know it will show up. This looks like their high quality leather, fit and finish. I know they made jackets for Sears in 1941 looks like it continued. These are the "Made in Cali" labeled jackets only. I believe I have makers for the other jackets; Appalachian Tanned and Tailored is certainly one, perhaps Fried-Ostermann in Milwaukee made some. The output increased until the end of the 50s.

 

[Wildhorses]

This jacket I will keep for sure. It's got long sleeves, and is roomy, that will allow for some layering as I like. And it's not that short. The leather is heavy, between the medium and the heavy HH that Aero offers. Still my best model after the one you will sell. Hopefully it will be too small (38 40), and I will have no regret not buying it

 

[ton312]

Just got this green guy out to take some pics. I already had an album with 130 pics! He will be going up for sale. size 38/40. I told myself if I found one that fit I would let this one go. I've found two that fit. One identical to this jacket and an early through belt.

This jacket is very much a 40s jacket and does not have the half-belt, no Made In California label.

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So damn cool. That is the KOTR in my opinion.

 

[tmitchell59]

Early wool lined with black Hercules label and interesting back.

 

[Wildhorses]

Early wool lined with black Hercules label and interesting back.

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No bi-swing, no yoke, a sort of one piece back with the belt sewn at the bottom sides. As nice as simple.
I just noticed the top brass "rivets" on the collar are placed in the middle, not at the pointy end of the collar. An other variation.

 

[handymike]

Early wool lined with black Hercules label and interesting back.

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Fantastic design!

 

[tmitchell59]

Rare and unusual model for an Oakbrook. There is another pictured in this thread. Through belt design with the original collar and interesting Oakbrook label.

Go to page 6 of this thread for the other through belt Oakbrook. It has a black lining! Nice to compare

Oakbrook MC jackets are no uncommon, but this through belt style seems to have vanished several years earlier. The more common seen Oakbrook has a sewn on belt.

Note the through belt design

Note inner pocket is on left side. My early Hercules MC jackets have the pocket on the inner left side. My later 50s also have the inner pocket on the right.

I don't see many Sears MC jackets with the detachable collar still attached.

This Diamond Talon pull seems out of place, but original

here is the sleeve zip position. Is this on top?

I need to look at the other like that posted earlier, but this side tag on the Oakbrook label seems unusual.

D pocket with sewn on coin pocket

 

[Wildhorses]

Rare and unusual model for an Oakbrook. There is another pictured in this thread. Through belt design with the original collar and interesting Oakbrook label.

Go to page 6 of this thread for the other through belt Oakbrook. It has a black lining! Nice to compare

Oakbrook MC jackets are no uncommon, but this through belt style seems to have vanished several years earlier. The more common seen Oakbrook has a sewn on belt.

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This Oakbrook and the other one on page 6 are absolutely similar, the only difference I notice is the red lining instead of black. They may be great repros of some Made in California 1950s steerhide Hercules, with some differences such as the perfecty squared small pocket, the slightly different studded panel at back, and the stitching of the lining (big squares instead of small ones), and the label of course. Oakbrook did some great things at this time.

 

[tonydi]

An interested ebayer sent me pics what appears to be a 1951 Hercules jacket. The same jacket as pictured in the iconic 51 catalog image. The owner added his own rabbits foot!

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This 1951 jacket continues with Wool lining, sewn on cigarette pocket, on top sleeve zipper seen on previous models. This year adds the "Built in leather Kidney Support", Through belt design with belt apparently part of the package.

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This jacket is particular interesting for the seldom seen leather label.

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Although this label is rather worn I have seen this label on other Hercules jackets as well as Windward, Appalachian Tanned and Tailored, W.B Place.
I have theorized that Appalachian may have made jacket batchs, for Sears and Wards with that style of label for a short time around 1951. They were a manufacturer. Late 50s early 60s Fieldmaster and Oakbrook jackets are identical to Appalachian labeled jackets.

Note the Nylon Stiched/Nylon lined. Very popular advertising early 50s

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Here's my 1951 Sears D pocket. Great information on the leather tag! It was really perplexing me until I saw your post. I had another identical to this one. Both were purchased new at Sears by two coworkers and great friends. Both with the leather tags. I think the snaps on the inside of the collar indicate the detachable fur that they no longer had. I sold one a few years ago, but will keep this one in the family. I wish I could find a photo of the tag when new.

The leather labels are very short lived, maybe a year. All three look very similar to my eye. I do not recall a JC Penney jacket with this style of label.

 

[JMax]

I did find this one in my picture gallery. Downloaded it maybe a year ago. My Oakbrook has this same tag. No patch pocket but French seams everywhere.

 

[Wildhorses]

Ebay pics of a vertical zipper, no D-pocket, and it's horsehide. Detachable belt.
I may be interested in buying it, if price stays low...

 

[tmitchell59]

I did find this one in my picture gallery. Downloaded it maybe a year ago. My Oakbrook has this same tag. No patch pocket but French seams everywhere.

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that is not only the same model , it looks like exactly the same jacket on eBay now

 

[tmitchell59]

Ebay pics of a vertical zipper, no D-pocket, and it's horsehide. Detachable belt.
I may be interested in buying it, if price stays low...

Another very cool WOW! jacket!

 

[jonbuilder]

Another very cool WOW! jacket!

per the seller, the back is 21" and the sleeves 23" ? I would guess 22 and 24 more likely from experience with his Hercules MC jackets

 

[Wildhorses]

per the seller, the back is 21" and the sleeves 23" ? I would guess 22 and 24 more likely from experience with his Hercules MC jackets

I will ask pics with measurements. I am interested but shipping cost +taxes to Europe will probably be too much for me, as usual. That would lead to at least $400 or $500 total... Impossible for this one.

 

[JMax]

Hercules Made in Cali Label w/ steer

Simply, this jacket is awesome. It’s a lighter weight hide, but thick. All the seams are solid and the zips flawless.

Here are some pics. Another piece to the Sears puzzle. If you have questions so that you can compare it to other Sears jackets please fire away.

I’ve got the HH one inbound. Herc but not the made in Cali label. I will do a side by side (and maybe add my Oakbrook too).

 

[tmitchell59]

Hercules Made in Cali Label w/ steer

This Thread is writing history. Something new to put in the book. I have to revise the chronology. Jackets are showing up that were not in the catalog or the chronology is needed revision.

The two new Hercules will make a great side by side. Both through belts with different leathers. This will be interesting.

I have three early Hercules which I am getting ready for show and tell! I'm most interested in comparing my early through belt with these two. I just serviced mine. It is stunning.

Comparing all the jackets should help in identifying the makers.

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[JMax]

I think the back of my HH one will have much, if not all, in common with your through-belt Herc. Less so in the front.

I’m keeping my eye out for an earlier one. This one you just posted is incredible. Is the liner original? I recall that it is.

 

[Wildhorses]

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An early version of the one I got (page 9), pretty identical except fro the lining and made in California label.
This green/beige lining is a dream on the Hercules.