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Cal-Leather

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,799
Location
Illinois

I was 3 or so. He also wore a JC Penney Sportclad with a black lining.

@tmitchell59 pretty sure I found the conmar Paperclip zipper is from 1951.

Featured on the 1951 M-51 Field Jacket and fishtail Parker.

Talon paperclip might be different date.

thanks

I have a paper clip on one of my SGs the other two have Crowns

What year did the Star Glove label end?

Paper clips were used in the early '40s. When I restore garments for my local aviation museum, I saw many Paper clip zippers used in (talon, crown, and conmars) 40's military garments. In true honesty, as I stated before, Conmar made excellent #10 military zippers. Durability-wise, conmar and talons have it over spring-loaded crowns. Reliability-wise, the none spring crowns are in the same level as the conmar and talon. However, The strongest military paper clip Zipper I have ever seen is still RiRi#10 with the metal riveted ends and the super strong wide teeth Talons. Lastly, the 50's military garment industry saw a vast use of #10 zippers used in the American field jackets. Ideal, serval, and others produced excellent zippers that are still in working order despite 60 to 70 years of us.
Thanks, Just been thinking about something.

thanks for all the responses, each piece adds up.
 

Leigh H

Practically Family
Messages
690
Location
Brighton
I believe it was 1949 per the current Cal Leather owner. The Paper clip zip might be an early jacket, the Crown was not available to the public until the end of WW2

It's say 1945 on their Instagram, but i've also heard 1947 in the past.

Screenshot 2023-04-28 at 15.02.18.png
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,389
Location
claremont california
I believe it was 1949 per the current Cal Leather owner. The Paper clip zip might be an early jacket, the Crown was not available to the public until the end of WW2

Many of the Crown zippers were developed in the late '30s. In the late 40s and early 50s, the American arm forces garment providers drastically increased the use of crown zippers in their production. It is clearly seen in their use of flight garments during the Korean War.
 

Leigh H

Practically Family
Messages
690
Location
Brighton
Beautiful jacket! I was wondering, do you have the name of the place that is selling it? Do they have a webpage or Instagram?

Dandy Vintage in Hastings. They have some Items on Depop but not everything. I couldn’t see the jacket online. They wanted £400 for it.

 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,389
Location
claremont california
Dandy Vintage in Hastings. They have some Items on Depop but not everything. I couldn’t see the jacket online. They wanted £400 for it.


Thanks so much for the info brother. I will check them out.
 

Jasonissm

Practically Family
Messages
616
Either the maker was drunk :), or the owner wanted reverse pockets.
These are not handwarmer pockets anymore.
I never use handwarmer pockets for my hands, just putting stuff in, especially for shorter jackets, I just don't think its comfortable. I think the original customer has a similar use case?
 

Bluechel

Practically Family
Messages
997
Big question….exactly how can you tell when the Star Glove became red label Cals if many don’t have labels? Collar size, but is that foolproof?
 

axlepressbutton

New in Town
Messages
9
I bought a late 50's early 60's CAL off market place a few months ago for $200. Perfect fit (42) and leather in great condition.
It had a few issues so I sent it to CAL leather in CA to bring it up to spec.

They put new lining in the sleeves and replaced the fur in the cuffs.
They replaced the main zip and a zip on one sleeve but used most of the old hardware.
They also fixed an issue with one of the lapels where it wasn't folding back correctly and repaired the lining in the back of the neck.
Lastly I had them make me up a mouton color in dark brown with some vintage mouton I sent them with the jacket.
They even put an age appropriate label in it as it didn't have one.

I received it back today after being with them for about 4 weeks. Super happy with the results and I think the jacket is now worth more than I have in it.
No more issues, a great fit and a great work horse of a jacket without the worry of damaging something older / more exotic.

CAL1.png CAL3.png CAL2.png
 

Bluechel

Practically Family
Messages
997
I bought a late 50's early 60's CAL off market place a few months ago for $200. Perfect fit (42) and leather in great condition.
It had a few issues so I sent it to CAL leather in CA to bring it up to spec.

They put new lining in the sleeves and replaced the fur in the cuffs.
They replaced the main zip and a zip on one sleeve but used most of the old hardware.
They also fixed an issue with one of the lapels where it wasn't folding back correctly and repaired the lining in the back of the neck.
Lastly I had them make me up a mouton color in dark brown with some vintage mouton I sent them with the jacket.
They even put an age appropriate label in it as it didn't have one.

I received it back today after being with them for about 4 weeks. Super happy with the results and I think the jacket is now worth more than I have in it.
No more issues, a great fit and a great work horse of a jacket without the worry of damaging something older / more exotic.

View attachment 554912 View attachment 554913 View attachment 554914
Well you know we all want to know how reasonable the cost was!
 

Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,985
Location
GB
Could those that have had comms with Cal directly please advise.
Are they generally good at replying to emails?

I have emailed a couple of times to ask about a custom Collar.

It may be they are more a call type of business?
 

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