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Cal-Leather

jonbuilder

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3,563
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Grass Valley CA Foothills
Picture from Cal Leather's Facebook of the Star Glove D pocket model price $2,900. The description says they use their finest leather. I've email Cal to ask if they use horsehide on the Star Glove
11196259_418185034973218_146629804513815710_n.jpg
 
Last edited:

jonbuilder

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3,563
Location
Grass Valley CA Foothills
Rin in his first motorcycle jacket book states Star Glove jackets were made by Block Bilt. Gwen on the Cal Leather web site says " Cal-Leather began making leather products in 1927 as "Star Glove & Leather" Can anyone put any light on any connection between Bock Bilt and Star Glove & Leather
 
Messages
10,631
My guess is that Rin was incorrect on this particular topic. Everything I have read, along with the similarities in the jackets, based in Ventura, timelines, etc., points to Cal.
 

jonbuilder

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Grass Valley CA Foothills
I love everything about that jacket...except one thing. I hope it is HH.
Apparently The Star Glove Heritage is made of horsehide. I have not heard back from Gwen but found this caption with a picture of the first Star Glove Heritage jacket on Cal Leather's Facebook page " The first in our Star Glove line. Brown horsehide D Pocket."
 

jonbuilder

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3,563
Location
Grass Valley CA Foothills
The 1040s Star Glove LADP horsehide jacket I sourced from eBay seller vintage-haberdashers AKA Spencer Stewart former FL bar tender dinnermen arrived today and I am stoked. The jacket is in better condition than I anticipated. I was not expecting any disappointment, I had asked Spencer questions regarding the jacket condition where I had concerns. The condition of the leather, zips and zip teeth. Here are Spencer’s response

Hi, there are a few typical minor scuffs and wear to the edges, but no rot or flaking and all the seams seem strong.

Hi, the mouton collar is detachable by means of snaps

Hi! The zippers are in working condition, no rot or damage to the tape at the pin. I've attached a photo of the stopbox and pin. The main zip is a little stiff, but works fine. I don't see any repairs or issues with the seams. The jacket weighs a little over 7-1/2 pounds. With the lining, I'd say it fits like a size 46 in the chest, but with a tapered fit, especially if the sides are laced at all.”

He supplied a picture of the stop box showed the zip cloth to be in good condition

The horsehide is in excellent condition better than I expected. Almost nil color loss at the stress points a couple spots at the cuff ends and bottom of the hem. The collar looks like one on a 5-year-old jacket. The zips were a little stiff nothing dose of lubricant did not resolve now operating smoothly. Even the pocket zips are Crowns with diamond pulls. Cuff zips are spring loaded crowns. The zip teeth are two way which dates the jacket between 1943 when crown developed the two-way teeth and 1947 when Star Glove and Leather switched over to operating under Cal Leathers.

The leather was somewhat dry nothing serious. I gave it a generous coat of Leather Rejuvenator. The jacket soaked up more expected. This evening I will wipe the jacket down with Leather pristine cleaner which will remove any dirt salt or oils the Rejuvenator brought to the surface.

Another surprise is how well the Star Glove fits me. I thought it might fit large with the pit to pit at 25” and shoulder 20-3/4 but no perfect around the chest and shoulders. The back falls just at the bottom of my belt and the front about halfway down my belt, perfect for a riding jacket or want a vintage fit like the jacket was designed to be worn.

Detail side by side pictures with my Cross-zip SG and my heavy horsehide Cal Leather LAPD coming. I can say all three jackets have a similar wide collar.

You guys are going to have to live with my English, typing, and spelling all are weak suits.

s-l1600.jpg
 

El Marro

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3,598
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California
The 1040s Star Glove LADP horsehide jacket I sourced from eBay seller vintage-haberdashers AKA Spencer Stewart former FL bar tender dinnermen arrived today and I am stoked. The jacket is in better condition than I anticipated. I was not expecting any disappointment, I had asked Spencer questions regarding the jacket condition where I had concerns. The condition of the leather, zips and zip teeth. Here are Spencer’s response

Hi, there are a few typical minor scuffs and wear to the edges, but no rot or flaking and all the seams seem strong.

Hi, the mouton collar is detachable by means of snaps

Hi! The zippers are in working condition, no rot or damage to the tape at the pin. I've attached a photo of the stopbox and pin. The main zip is a little stiff, but works fine. I don't see any repairs or issues with the seams. The jacket weighs a little over 7-1/2 pounds. With the lining, I'd say it fits like a size 46 in the chest, but with a tapered fit, especially if the sides are laced at all.”

He supplied a picture of the stop box showed the zip cloth to be in good condition

The horsehide is in excellent condition better than I expected. Almost nil color loss at the stress points a couple spots at the cuff ends and bottom of the hem. The collar looks like one on a 5-year-old jacket. The zips were a little stiff nothing dose of lubricant did not resolve now operating smoothly. Even the pocket zips are Crowns with diamond pulls. Cuff zips are spring loaded crowns. The zip teeth are two way which dates the jacket between 1943 when crown developed the two-way teeth and 1947 when Star Glove and Leather switched over to operating under Cal Leathers.

The leather was somewhat dry nothing serious. I gave it a generous coat of Leather Rejuvenator. The jacket soaked up more expected. This evening I will wipe the jacket down with Leather pristine cleaner which will remove any dirt salt or oils the Rejuvenator brought to the surface.

Another surprise is how well the Star Glove fits me. I thought it might fit large with the pit to pit at 25” and shoulder 20-3/4 but no perfect around the chest and shoulders. The back falls just at the bottom of my belt and the front about halfway down my belt, perfect for a riding jacket or want a vintage fit like the jacket was designed to be worn.

Detail side by side pictures with my Cross-zip SG and my heavy horsehide Cal Leather LAPD coming. I can say all three jackets have a similar wide collar.

You guys are going to have to live with my English, typing, and spelling all are weak suits.

View attachment 252084
Congratulations Jon!
Your cup runneth over when it comes to finding great Star Glove jackets!
 
Messages
10,631
The 1040s Star Glove LADP horsehide jacket I sourced from eBay seller vintage-haberdashers AKA Spencer Stewart former FL bar tender dinnermen arrived today and I am stoked. The jacket is in better condition than I anticipated. I was not expecting any disappointment, I had asked Spencer questions regarding the jacket condition where I had concerns. The condition of the leather, zips and zip teeth. Here are Spencer’s response

Hi, there are a few typical minor scuffs and wear to the edges, but no rot or flaking and all the seams seem strong.

Hi, the mouton collar is detachable by means of snaps

Hi! The zippers are in working condition, no rot or damage to the tape at the pin. I've attached a photo of the stopbox and pin. The main zip is a little stiff, but works fine. I don't see any repairs or issues with the seams. The jacket weighs a little over 7-1/2 pounds. With the lining, I'd say it fits like a size 46 in the chest, but with a tapered fit, especially if the sides are laced at all.”

He supplied a picture of the stop box showed the zip cloth to be in good condition

The horsehide is in excellent condition better than I expected. Almost nil color loss at the stress points a couple spots at the cuff ends and bottom of the hem. The collar looks like one on a 5-year-old jacket. The zips were a little stiff nothing dose of lubricant did not resolve now operating smoothly. Even the pocket zips are Crowns with diamond pulls. Cuff zips are spring loaded crowns. The zip teeth are two way which dates the jacket between 1943 when crown developed the two-way teeth and 1947 when Star Glove and Leather switched over to operating under Cal Leathers.

The leather was somewhat dry nothing serious. I gave it a generous coat of Leather Rejuvenator. The jacket soaked up more expected. This evening I will wipe the jacket down with Leather pristine cleaner which will remove any dirt salt or oils the Rejuvenator brought to the surface.

Another surprise is how well the Star Glove fits me. I thought it might fit large with the pit to pit at 25” and shoulder 20-3/4 but no perfect around the chest and shoulders. The back falls just at the bottom of my belt and the front about halfway down my belt, perfect for a riding jacket or want a vintage fit like the jacket was designed to be worn.

Detail side by side pictures with my Cross-zip SG and my heavy horsehide Cal Leather LAPD coming. I can say all three jackets have a similar wide collar.

You guys are going to have to live with my English, typing, and spelling all are weak suits.

View attachment 252084

Quick delivery! Great news, I’m glad it worked out like it did. Amazing price on what sounds like a perfect piece of leather jacket history. I have to admit to feeling some envy right now.
 

sweetfights

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Messages
3,301
Location
Canada
The 1040s Star Glove LADP horsehide jacket I sourced from eBay seller vintage-haberdashers AKA Spencer Stewart former FL bar tender dinnermen arrived today and I am stoked. The jacket is in better condition than I anticipated. I was not expecting any disappointment, I had asked Spencer questions regarding the jacket condition where I had concerns. The condition of the leather, zips and zip teeth. Here are Spencer’s response

Hi, there are a few typical minor scuffs and wear to the edges, but no rot or flaking and all the seams seem strong.

Hi, the mouton collar is detachable by means of snaps

Hi! The zippers are in working condition, no rot or damage to the tape at the pin. I've attached a photo of the stopbox and pin. The main zip is a little stiff, but works fine. I don't see any repairs or issues with the seams. The jacket weighs a little over 7-1/2 pounds. With the lining, I'd say it fits like a size 46 in the chest, but with a tapered fit, especially if the sides are laced at all.”

He supplied a picture of the stop box showed the zip cloth to be in good condition

The horsehide is in excellent condition better than I expected. Almost nil color loss at the stress points a couple spots at the cuff ends and bottom of the hem. The collar looks like one on a 5-year-old jacket. The zips were a little stiff nothing dose of lubricant did not resolve now operating smoothly. Even the pocket zips are Crowns with diamond pulls. Cuff zips are spring loaded crowns. The zip teeth are two way which dates the jacket between 1943 when crown developed the two-way teeth and 1947 when Star Glove and Leather switched over to operating under Cal Leathers.

The leather was somewhat dry nothing serious. I gave it a generous coat of Leather Rejuvenator. The jacket soaked up more expected. This evening I will wipe the jacket down with Leather pristine cleaner which will remove any dirt salt or oils the Rejuvenator brought to the surface.

Another surprise is how well the Star Glove fits me. I thought it might fit large with the pit to pit at 25” and shoulder 20-3/4 but no perfect around the chest and shoulders. The back falls just at the bottom of my belt and the front about halfway down my belt, perfect for a riding jacket or want a vintage fit like the jacket was designed to be worn.

Detail side by side pictures with my Cross-zip SG and my heavy horsehide Cal Leather LAPD coming. I can say all three jackets have a similar wide collar.

You guys are going to have to live with my English, typing, and spelling all are weak suits.

View attachment 252084
Your collection is drool worthy!!!
Especially With the Cal-Leather items.
Congratulations on a successful hunt!
 

Chevalier

One of the Regulars
Messages
176
The saga continues! I got the lining on my Star Glove replaced at Cal Leathers. They did wonderful work to insert the new lining with minimal effect on the outside of the jacket.
721D217A-0B0C-4378-8B5B-75F4BD8FC6B8.jpeg
FFD95585-3B12-4FF4-9EF4-FE4D435D936E.jpeg

They also helped with the zipper pull that was missing.
8E1EFED7-D08B-4A6F-8BAB-5A4E3E65DD55.jpeg

The work is really fantastic. I second the recommendation to contact them by phone. They are super friendly and responsive on the phone.
 

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