1940’s or early 50’s Sportclad Motorcycle Jacket

[Chris Tubman]

Hello
I’ve just bought this jacket off the ‘Bay and I’m waiting for it to be delivered.
It’s a Sportclad made by Star Sportwear in Massachusetts and appears to be identical to one on here that is dated to 1947.
It is made from horsehide and the lining is wool.
I ride both classic and modern motorcycles but this jacket will be hung on my wall and only be worn on special occasions, I have a horsehide Aero Leathers Premier Half Belt for summer daily use on a motorcycle.
The seller has said the main zip, although a Talon, has been replaced but other than that the jacket looks to be in incredibly good condition for something almost eighty years old.
I’ll take good care of it.

 

[Monitor]

That's my favorite biker jacket ever. Lol, it's essentially exactly the same as any other but it's the little details that set it apart. And the red lining was a majorly good idea, too.

 

[tmitchell59]

You got a good one. I like this model so much I've owned 4 of them. I have one keeper in a size 42. The size tag is usually in the diagonal zipped pocket. You can see the size tag in the link I posted.

These Wool lined Sportclads were first sold c.1947 representing JC Penneys first "motorcycle" jacket. Returning GIs were into the motorcyle and they needed some jackets. All the major leather makers started producing one form or another of this cross zip style.

The wool lining was used until around 1952 when Nylon linings were sold as a "new" alternative.

This very Sportclad model was the subject of quite an investigation on this forum. Through the efforts of members we determined these jackets were made by Kurland. This effort lead to investgation of who else made jackets for the major retailers. I don't recall where all this discussion too place, which threads.

The Jacket I'm linking was sold to me by the nephew of the original owner who bought the jacket at a Penney store in Colorado in 1947. For whatever reason, he never wore it. I bought it as mint in a size 46. This size was too big so I continued to search for a smaller size. I now have a size 42.

The leather on these early models is as fine a leather as you will find, new or old. I've owned 4 and seen others and all are superb leather. They also have a longer fit and look great on.

I look forward to seeing more pictures of your jacket, especially the zipper.

Here is a link to my size 46 (sold).

https://goo.gl/photos/agNLndeiEU1mPUrE7

 

[tmitchell59]

This is a size 42

 

[newtojackets]

You can just tell the jacket will fit well. Has a. Great taper to it

 

[tmitchell59]

You can just tell the jacket will fit well. Has a. Great taper to it

Everyone I owned fit well. They are just a bit longer. I think of them as a "gentlemans" cut. No intention to be "bad ass".

These Sportclad, among many other brands, are considered a step down from a Buco, but they are not. They are Equal in any way.

 

[Chris Tubman]

Everyone I owned fit well. They are just a bit longer. I think of them as a "gentlemans" cut. No intention to be "bad ass".

These Sportclad, among many other brands, are considered a step down from a Buco, but they are not. They are Equal in any way.

My jacket has been delivered and it’s a bit of a Frankenstein, the main zip was a Talon but it is now a modern replacement.
The sleeve zippers are a Talon and a Conmar, so I’m guessing that one of those is also a replacement unless they used both types of zippers when it was being made?
The pocket zippers are all Conmar.
There’s a tag in the right side pocket with the number 24198 on one side and Style, Size and Order on the other.
Difficult to make out but it could be Style 624, Size 38 and Order 95, 9S or 96?
The leather is still in great condition and seems surprisingly lightweight and supple for horsehide (although I’m no expert) and is completely different to the heavy and stiff horsehide used in my Aero Premier Half Belt.
The collar fastener appears to have the original buttons.
I didn’t pay too much for this jacket and it will probably spend most of it’s time on display on a wall with perhaps an occasional outing on special occasions.

Update:
Returned to seller because of the cheap, unbranded main zipper.

 

[Chris Tubman]

I have decided to return this jacket to the seller as I bought it believing it had either a genuine or reproduction Talon main zipper fitted not the cheap unbranded zipper that it came with.
The mismatched sleeve zippers are not a problem as they appear to be historically accurate but the cheap replacement main zipper has ruined any authenticity of this jacket and made it into something I would not want to either wear or display.

 

[Will Zach]

Some ppl here might be interested.