50s grais horsehide lining restored

[Raul]

Two weeks ago I bought a nice 50s Grais horsehide (pony) wit a great patina, but it had the lining in bad shape, sleeves lining destroyed and body lining rather dirty, with a previous patch at the bottom and a big tear/hole near the collar, the pockets lining were in bad shape too:

I wanted to keep it as original as possible but the lady who did the job had to replace the sleeves lining with new satin, replace the damaged inside of the pockets, remove the body lining (and took the occasion to wash it before stitching it back on), add a stripe of black leather at the bottom replacing the old patch and under the collar covering the tear, in this way most part of the original padded body lining was saved, including the label with its original zig-zag stitching. I had to sacrifice some originality but I surely added several years of life to it. I have to say I am happy with the result

 

[Lebowski]

Two weeks ago I bought a nice 50s Grais horsehide (pony) wit a great patina, but it had the lining in bad shape, sleeves lining destroyed and body lining rather dirty, with a previous patch at the bottom and a big tear/hole near the collar, the pockets lining were in bad shape too:

I wanted to keep it as original as possible but the lady who did the job had to replace the sleeves lining with new satin, replace the damaged inside of the pockets, remove the body lining (and took the occasion to wash it before stitching it back on), add a stripe of black leather at the bottom replacing the old patch and under the collar covering the tear, in this way most part of the original padded body lining was saved, including the label with its original zig-zag stitching. I had to sacrifice some originality but I surely added several years of life to it. I have to say I am happy with the result

Perfect, the only thing I'd like more is using raw tan colored hh/cowhide at the hem instead of that blacke one. I'd also add raw tan hide inserts at the armpits between body and sleeves.

 

[tmitchell59]

You did a great job on this restoration. Looks like it is worth the effort. I have had the same leather neck strip done on a Hercules I own. I've seen many old jackets with home made hem repairs. Some were good some were not so good. That jacket is at least 60 years old so it is going to have some wear.

 

[jonbuilder]

I like the fact you used as much of the original lining

 

[Peacoat]

Good job of giving a 60 year old jacket a fresh breath of life that should last at least another 20 years.

 

[photo2u]

Lesson in how to restore a lining.

 

[photo2u]

Two weeks ago I bought a nice 50s Grais horsehide (pony) wit a great patina, but it had the lining in bad shape, sleeves lining destroyed and body lining rather dirty, with a previous patch at the bottom and a big tear/hole near the collar, the pockets lining were in bad shape too:

I wanted to keep it as original as possible but the lady who did the job had to replace the sleeves lining with new satin, replace the damaged inside of the pockets, remove the body lining (and took the occasion to wash it before stitching it back on), add a stripe of black leather at the bottom replacing the old patch and under the collar covering the tear, in this way most part of the original padded body lining was saved, including the label with its original zig-zag stitching. I had to sacrifice some originality but I surely added several years of life to it. I have to say I am happy with the result

Superb job. This is one of the very best re-lining samples I have ever seen. My hat goes off to the master who did the work. Nice to see people who can actually put their skills to good use.

 

[Raul]

Recently I bought another Grais jacket rather cheap, a Flightmaster in brown/reddish HH with a nice patina mainly on the sleeves, but the cuffs and waistband were in very bad coodition. So I bought a set from Mash japan 100% wool in seal brown, the original was more a brown/greenish but I didn't find a similar one.
The same lady who restored my Grais above replaced the cuffs and bands, so with about $40 for parts and $45 for labor my jacket came out nearly as new. The internal lining was in great shape, the only defect is a part in the collar that is not cracked yet but rather worn out (as you can see in the last pic below)
Here are some pics.

BEFORE :

AFTER: