40s Sears Topline suede and 40s Windward Suede Horsehide

[tmitchell59]

Two beauties from the 40s. The top line is probably a bit earlier. It has a sunrise Talon stop, with a plane V pull.

According to dinnerman the top-line series was limited to mid-forties. The V Talon zipper is WW2

The second jacket is a Windward from the late forties. Has a horse hide label.

I would guess the top line is a deerskin suede.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[tmitchell59]

Here is the Windward

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[ton312]

Which one of them there is a vintage 44"? Asking for a friend. Named Tony. In Chicago. Pure coincidence.

 

[jacketjunkie]

These suede jackets look amazing, especially the Topline one with all those nice details on it! Thanks for the presentation! You wouldn't believe any suede jacket could look that nice after 70+ years, really makes me re-consider getting one. Chocolate suede matches well with jeans, makes for nice casual summer jackets imho!

 

[tmitchell59]

Which one of them there is a vintage 44"? Asking for a friend. Named Tony. In Chicago. Pure coincidence.

Oh yeah, that other guy named Tony. I'd say the top line is a 44, the windward is marked 42 I believe.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[tmitchell59]

These suede jackets look amazing, especially the Topline one with all those nice details on it! Thanks for the presentation! You wouldn't believe any suede jacket could look that nice after 70+ years, really makes me re-consider getting one. Chocolate suede matches well with jeans, makes for nice casual summer jackets imho!

Well said. Perfect weather right now for this weight. There's a little bit of Fade to the color in the video.

Old suede can be risky to buy. Both these jackets are quite nice.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[tmitchell59]

The lady Cossack jacket just arrived probably from the 30s.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[ton312]

Wow man!!! Just when I think it can't get anymore more TM, it does! That top line with the darker smooth collar is sweet!! They all are. The women's shawl is amazing!! As usual you impress Terry. Great stuff!

 

[ProteinNerd]

The lady Cossack jacket just arrived probably from the 30s.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

If only they did grow on trees lol

 

[Superfluous]

Terry, your jacket collection is utterly redonkulous!

 

[tmitchell59]

I see Aero is producing the Suede Majestic. Very nice indeed!

This is the latest in my line of Suede half-belts.

this is California Sportswear Californian. A bit big for me, size tag says either 46/48. It certainly feels that size.

There are a lot of interesting Suede jackets out there. At least I see them. Most are more recent than the jackets in this thread. I stay with the older ones which don't come around that often.

I'm a big fan of California Sportswear jackets. They typically are high quality, nicely made and interesting.

This jacket has a V wartime Talon zipper. Roll up cuffs, traditional half-belt styling with adjustments.

California Sportswear Californian.

Getting the best color when photographing can be difficult. They change in the light.

Roll up cuffs

This jacket has a V wartime Talon zipper.

Plain light weight lining

Cuffs up and down

Traditional half-belt back with side adjustments

A bit big for me, size tag says either 46/48. It certainly feels that size.

 

[Dilkit]

HI

Here is the Windward

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

Two beauties from the 40s. The top line is probably a bit earlier. It has a sunrise Talon stop, with a plane V pull.

According to dinnerman the top-line series was limited to mid-forties. The V Talon zipper is WW2

The second jacket is a Windward from the late forties. Has a horse hide label.

I would guess the top line is a deerskin suede.

Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

 

[Dilkit]

Hi TM
I have a Topline and I'd appreciate it if you could have a look and let me know your thoughts. It's the same as yours except in 2 details. One - the end of the cuffs have belt tighteners and the zip is a spring loaded Crown. Do you have any info you could share about it?

 

[Davy Crockett]

stunning Jackets!

D

 

[Dilkit]

Hi thanks - yes I hunted high and low for a Topline....I'm selling a Californian I imported from errrr California! It's slightly too big. It's on ebay if you're interested.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264769859505?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[tmitchell59]

Hi TM
I have a Topline and I'd appreciate it if you could have a look and let me know your thoughts. It's the same as yours except in 2 details. One - the end of the cuffs have belt tighteners and the zip is a spring loaded Crown. Do you have any info you could share about it?

I saw your Californian. There are similar jackets in the Sears Catalog. I have two other Topline jackets, though not suede. Topline name first appears in the 1941 catalog and does not appear in the 1944 catalog. A name that infers top quality.

Remember that Sears was not a manufacturer. Very possible that California Sportswear Company made jackets for sears. Sears started using "made in California " in their catalog around 1944. This phrase also appears on some labels through out the 1950s.

Here is the 1940 catalog

1941 with first mention of Topline

1942

1943

1944

 

[Dilkit]

Hello TM. Thanks for the info and the xlnt catalogue pictures. I’ll be downloading. Very pleased with my topline. I was a bit worried re the Crown zip compared with your Talon. But it looks and feels authentic.
Thanks again

 

[jonesy86]

I saw your Californian. There are similar jackets in the Sears Catalog. I have two other Topline jackets, though not suede. Topline name first appears in the 1941 catalog and does not appear in the 1944 catalog. A name that infers top quality.

Remember that Sears was not a manufacturer. Very possible that California Sportswear Company made jackets for sears. Sears started using "made in California " in their catalog around 1944. This phrase also appears on some labels through out the 1950s.

Here is the 1940 catalog

View attachment 243722

1941 with first mention of Topline

View attachment 243723

1942

View attachment 243724

1943

View attachment 243725

1944

View attachment 243726

Very interesting to see all those capeskin jackets advertised. While it is understandable why you don't find many actual vintage 40s capeskin jackets, as they don't last as long as other leather, I wonder why none of the repro guys hasn't done one. I only see the A-1 capeskin in the repro market.
Cool posts guys.

 

[Will Zach]

Hello TM. Thanks for the info and the xlnt catalogue pictures. I’ll be downloading. Very pleased with my topline. I was a bit worried re the Crown zip compared with your Talon. But it looks and feels authentic.
Thanks again

My understanding is that vintage spring-loaded Crown zips are very desirable and sell for up to $500 apiece when NOS. You may have something there, but I will leave it to TFL experts to opine.