Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE AERO 1930s HALF-BELT JACKET!

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,072
Location
Pennington
*****SOLD******

SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE AERO 1930s HALF-BELT JACKET!


**Includes features that cannot be replicated now!**


Tagged 40. Measurements:

Back width (top of shoulder seam to seam): 19 1/4"
Back length (from collar seam to hem): 24 3/4" (top of collar to hem).
Front zipper length: 20"
Pit to pit: 22"
Sleeves (around curve): 27 3/4"
Sleeves (shoulder to cuff): 26 1/2"

Description credit: Rudie (the original owner), with updates.
Photo credit: Rudie (outside pictures)

Here‘s your chance to grab a unique, one of a kind leather jacket from one of the world‘s premier leather jacket makers. There is not a single jacket in the world like this and there never will be. AERO cannot replicate this even if they wanted to.
The 1930s Half Belt is a timeless, classic design. This jacket is made from Aero's famous brown heavy front quarter horsehide, which is renowned for the beautiful patina it develops. As you can see from the pictures, the leather has quite some character and changes its appearance depending on the light.

A size 40 with lengthened sleeves and slightly longer back so that (contrary to the standard design) both front and back are the same length this jacket is heavily customized; depending on how you like to layer it would also work for a slim 42.
The most obvious deviation from the standard half-belt design are the pockets. Instead of one slanted breast pocket it has two horizontal pockets. It also has two lower flap pockets that button with a horn button. Together they serve to reminisce of the civilian cyclist jackets used both by German Luftwaffe fighter pilots like Erich Hartmann and French Résistance fighters during WWII. The fully functional throat latch with snap is also typical for this style.

Another design feature not as obvious as the pockets is the sleeve design. As Aero's sleeves tended to be very baggy this jacket was made with slimmer sleeves--a special custom feature that I believe Aero no longer opffers. If you are a weight lifter this jacket is probably not for you. But if you go for a trim, fitted look this jacket would be perfect. The sleeves are made from two pieces instead of the standard three. Instead of buttoned cuffs they have a strap and buckle.

The jacket is completely lined with olive drab gabardine. This fabric was used by Aero as an outer shell for their B-10 jackets as it is an exceptionally sturdy and abrasion-resistant fabric, making it ideal for a lining! Aero does not have this OD gabardine anymore. So if you want a jacket with this incredible lining, you‘ll have to buy a used one. In the sleeves the gabardine is overlaid with burgundy rayon for ease of wear. At the cuffs and at the bottom hem is a two inch leather strip to prevent the lining from sagging. On the left there is an inside pocket with snap stud (pistol pocket). All pockets are lined with sturdy brown corduroy. It is fitted with a sturdy Aero zipper. All hardware is nickel colored, and all zippers and snaps work perfectly.

Last, but not least, the collar is pointier and a tad longer than Aero's standard collar. A thread is starting to come loose at the back of the collar. This is invisible when worn. If you choose you can have it repaired by Aero, who give a lifetime warranty on all seams.
Apart from this small issue the jacket is in excellent condition. It was worn sparingly by its original owner--Rudi, someone very well versed in leather jackets, hence all of its custom features!--for about a year; it has been in my possession since, kept flat and unworn in between linen sheets (yes, really!), with the occasional lifting and turning and airing to prevent any stiffness from lack of use.

When zipped up this jacket can still stand on its own, just as it could when new. But the leather has softened considerably and developed creases in all the right places. There are some light scuffs and marks, adding to the character of the jacket. These jackets aren‘t supposed to be babied. Back in the day they were considered work wear. Aero jackets are tough and can take a beating. Aero actually recommend not to use any conditioner or wax for the first several years, as the leather is stuffed with waxes.

Asking $695, or offer, boxed, shipped, and insured in the USA.

PLEASE NOTE: I have owned this jacket for several years... and have never worn it. It's been stored flat covered with a linen sheet. I mention this as the photos are now several years old... But the jacket is just the same as it was then!
 

Attachments

  • 26804874_1940543319597943_5078451141593689352_n (1).jpg
    26804874_1940543319597943_5078451141593689352_n (1).jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 189
  • 26804874_1940543889597886_2849392910452722226_n (1).jpg
    26804874_1940543889597886_2849392910452722226_n (1).jpg
    94.3 KB · Views: 188
  • 26805149_1940543876264554_2125296318890356727_n (1).jpg
    26805149_1940543876264554_2125296318890356727_n (1).jpg
    119.8 KB · Views: 167
  • 26814605_1940543926264549_6652160895947630825_n (1).jpg
    26814605_1940543926264549_6652160895947630825_n (1).jpg
    110.4 KB · Views: 172
  • 26840632_1940544869597788_2391670885344249093_o (1).jpg
    26840632_1940544869597788_2391670885344249093_o (1).jpg
    235.8 KB · Views: 158
  • 22047987_1940544849597790_8373269214392214693_o (1).jpg
    22047987_1940544849597790_8373269214392214693_o (1).jpg
    436.1 KB · Views: 157
  • 25440328_1940544692931139_1595146594820432574_o (1).jpg
    25440328_1940544692931139_1595146594820432574_o (1).jpg
    223.3 KB · Views: 149
  • 26239192_1940543689597906_185693927796490852_n (1).jpg
    26239192_1940543689597906_185693927796490852_n (1).jpg
    135.4 KB · Views: 144
  • 26239767_1940543852931223_5364434606285905809_n (1).jpg
    26239767_1940543852931223_5364434606285905809_n (1).jpg
    166.8 KB · Views: 139
  • 26730630_1940543632931245_7963099693334829712_n (1).jpg
    26730630_1940543632931245_7963099693334829712_n (1).jpg
    114.3 KB · Views: 149
Last edited:

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,072
Location
Pennington
More pictures!
 

Attachments

  • 26733713_1940543736264568_6477836790401674487_n (1).jpg
    26733713_1940543736264568_6477836790401674487_n (1).jpg
    107.6 KB · Views: 136
  • 26733701_1940543792931229_3534402431017417115_n (1).jpg
    26733701_1940543792931229_3534402431017417115_n (1).jpg
    43.3 KB · Views: 134
  • 26733373_1940543596264582_3063268885869633403_n (1).jpg
    26733373_1940543596264582_3063268885869633403_n (1).jpg
    97 KB · Views: 138
  • 26734460_1940543819597893_8649351948806746232_n (1).jpg
    26734460_1940543819597893_8649351948806746232_n (1).jpg
    123.6 KB · Views: 130
  • 26734483_1940543692931239_2152791126534324800_n (1).jpg
    26734483_1940543692931239_2152791126534324800_n (1).jpg
    51.8 KB · Views: 128
  • 26758140_1940544732931135_492056688852326051_o (1).jpg
    26758140_1940544732931135_492056688852326051_o (1).jpg
    241.5 KB · Views: 112
  • 26734460_1940543819597893_8649351948806746232_n (1).jpg
    26734460_1940543819597893_8649351948806746232_n (1).jpg
    123.6 KB · Views: 110
  • 26805350_1940543602931248_1775877475280172326_n (1).jpg
    26805350_1940543602931248_1775877475280172326_n (1).jpg
    124 KB · Views: 112
  • 26805168_1940543682931240_687150248385027752_n (1).jpg
    26805168_1940543682931240_687150248385027752_n (1).jpg
    136.6 KB · Views: 107

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,072
Location
Pennington
More pictures
 

Attachments

  • 26815139_1940543599597915_5285882774856694638_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    26815139_1940543599597915_5285882774856694638_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    111.6 KB · Views: 112
  • 26841556_1940544906264451_658689339036328647_o (1) - Copy.jpg
    26841556_1940544906264451_658689339036328647_o (1) - Copy.jpg
    371 KB · Views: 102
  • 26904206_1940543912931217_1218443133176258084_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    26904206_1940543912931217_1218443133176258084_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    170.5 KB · Views: 99
  • 26904545_1940543729597902_167705996362662997_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    26904545_1940543729597902_167705996362662997_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    126.1 KB · Views: 107
  • 26907232_1940543842931224_6238331303842077331_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    26907232_1940543842931224_6238331303842077331_n (1) - Copy.jpg
    144.1 KB · Views: 200

Grayland

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,088
Location
Upstate NY
Nice jacket, but the sleeves are too long for me. I also had a 30's HB with the 2-piece slim sleeves. I seem to recall someone (maybe even Aero) saying that this type of sleeve was never an option, but it clearly was at one time.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,326
Messages
3,078,960
Members
54,243
Latest member
seeldoger47
Top