What’s a fair price for a good Cal jacket?

[photo2u]

Horsehide Cals are super-rare, if there are any at all. For horse you got to look at Cal's predecessor, Star Glove. Be prepared to pay north of a thousand for one.

I have several. One in the Highway patrol style and several others in the CR types. About 30 years ago, I took several jackets to Cal leathers for authentication. I was told that the Cal prototype I got from my friend Dan Jauregui was the only one two ever made and both were made in HH. The vintage Cal horse hide was produced in two different ways I have seen. One was thinner and very dense and very even. The other was supper thick and not as dense as the thinner one. It is hard to explain with out actually feeling the leather. The closest I can describe it visually is by the way hide folds around the arms.

 

[ton312]

I took a good look at the eBay pics in my initial post - they do look very much like horsehide to me. What do you guys think?

You’ll never know for sure. Cal never labeled their jackets this way (horse/cow). Your best bet is to go off the hardware. The paper clip style main zip like the one I posted is hh. The full rig with teardrop talons is cow. You can safely assume anything with 60’s, 70’s hardware is cow.

 

[JMax]

They can be had for real low prices if they don’t have a label and the seller is unaware it is a Cal. I’ve paid $85 for a CR and around $100 for nice LAPDs and CHPs. This used to be a common occurrence. Less so now but it happens. Obviously not the early HH. Anyone can tell that hide and jacket is quality. I’ve hit on HH Cals for $300 though. Many moons ago.

You also can look at other vintage CHPs. Taubers, Californian/CSC, All Weather, etc. I like Cal better than Taubers and CSC but AW is my favorite.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

They can be had for real low prices if they don’t have a label and the seller is unaware it is a Cal. I’ve paid $85 for a CR and around $100 for nice LAPDs and CHPs. This used to be a common occurrence. Less so now but it happens. Obviously not the early HH. Anyone can tell that hide and jacket is quality. I’ve hit on HH Cals for $300 though. Many moons ago.

You also can look at other vintage CHPs. Taubers, Californian/CSC, All Weather, etc. I like Cal better than Taubers and CSC but AW is my favorite.

How would you compare the CHP made by Cal, VS Langlitz, VS Vanson Model-E?

 

[Guppy]

The full rig was about 8lbs. The heaviest cal I had was closer to 9lbs. From the 50’s, I paid around $350 for it in 2012.
View attachment 647969
Sadly it was just too small. I haven’t pursued the style in a number of years. The new jackets look like shit to me. I wouldn’t pay the asking price.
The older the better.

$350 in 2012 is like $650 in 2024. Edit: well, more like $480. But still, I think it does help put in perspective that $650 isn't so unreasonable.


I do see Cal jackets for sale fairly frequently for a lot less than that one. But this is where condition and size come into play.

If the ones I see are much cheaper, they are typically in basket case condition, or if not then the seller doesn't know what they have.

 

[Will Zach]

$350 in 2012 is like $650 in 2014.

You mean 2024.

 

[Guppy]

You mean 2024.

Yes. Auto correct!

 

[ton312]

$350 in 2012 is like $650 in 2024. Edit: well, more like $480. But still, I think it does help put in perspective that $650 isn't so unreasonable.


I do see Cal jackets for sale fairly frequently for a lot less than that one. But this is where condition and size come into play.

If the ones I see are much cheaper, they are typically in basket case condition, or if not then the seller doesn't know what they have.

90% of Cal jackets don’t carry the label. There are literally thousands of them floating around. I understand one must account for inflation but I also think most Cal are listed high but ultimately they sell for much less. I understand sellers have high hopes. Reality always wins.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Have a look at this one chaps - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30563743...dECUgLpTcK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Interestingly I can see 20 watchers on this jacket, and 30 watchers on the jacket I first asked about.

From a market making perspective - it takes one keen buyer to make a reasonably high offer to be accepted, and this may set pricing expectations for future listings.

That cross zip jacket looks a real beast! I’ve asked the seller for its weight just out of curiosity

 

[Will Zach]

Have a look at this one chaps - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30563743...dECUgLpTcK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Interestingly I can see 20 watchers on this jacket, and 30 watchers on the jacket I first asked about.

From a market making perspective - it takes one keen buyer to make a reasonably high offer to be accepted, and this may set pricing expectations for future listings.

That cross zip jacket looks a real beast! I’ve asked the seller for its weight just out of curiosity

70s/80s, not horsehide.

 

[Bahabp100]

I saw this straight Cal on eBay and it’s my size. I also like the fur collar! But buying for it to be sent to UK has helfty duties and postage. Asking price is 625 USD plus like 120 shipping and duties.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25663445...dECUgLpTcK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

What would you guys pay for a Cal of this condition?

$500, $600 with belt , $650 with neck piece

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I stumbled upon this https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/custom-lost-worlds-chp-schott-per-2.106352/

What do you guys think LW CHP vs Cal CHP? Or are we talking about a complete different league here?

 

[AeroFan_07]

Really the best way to learn in here is to search older threads on similar topics. Cal's / AL's are favorites of many on this forum. Give this multi-page thread a read and you will indeed gather a lot of information.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/vintage-cal-its-changing-my-outlook-on-things.103829/

Regarding Pricing, this is always a tricky subject for pre-owned merchandise. Kind of like saying that a well maintained automobile that has all service receipts, documented oil changes, one prior owner and no accident history (but) has higher miles is still typically worth more than a lower-mile, same year/make model automobile that does not have a known service history, multiple owners, and has been in the body shop a few times.

Some jackets just hold their value more than others, typically those with fewer modifications, are known to be original, or in specific size ranges tend to hold their value well. Whereas something like an extremely large or quite small jacket may be an amazingly inexpensive jacket, simply due to more limited appeal in the marketplace.