Dating Outerwear by zipper design

[Dedrick]

Here's a Talon design I've never seen before. It's from an Adirondack sweater I'm trying to date. Anyone have an idea? http://imgur.com/LX0nTnP The stopbox is square with a capital T, though I don't have a photo.

 

[Dinerman]

1970s or 1980s.

 

[Dedrick]

Hey thanks!

 

[Dinerman]

1920s

 

[Levallois]

Dinerman -terrific post! I was wondering if you had any info on Scovill? I've checked the internet (and here of course) and there isn't much out there. Old company that made zippers and other fasteners for military jackets and the civilian market. I was wondering if there is a date range? One site claims Scovill stopped making metal zippers in the 1960s. Others seems to suggest them making zippers into the 1990s. Thanks!

L.

 

[Dinerman]

Scovill is still in business, and are still making zippers for military and civilian jackets.
http://www.scovill.com/product/other-trim-resources/zippers/

 

[Levallois]

Yes, thanks, I saw that site. I was more interested in the vintage zippers they made like this -

 

[Dinerman]

1930s Talons from some recent finds.
Transitional Talon/Hookless

 

[Dinerman]

Some more 1930s zips
Talon


Lion

 

[Dinerman]

Early-mid 1930s Kwik

 

[wild_balls]

What a great thread!!

Cheers Joakim

 

[Honez]

Does anyone have knowledge of the Serval zipper company. I would be particularly interested in knowing when the company closed. Can their zippers be dated by style? I have an older perfecto style jacket with this brand of zipper and would like to be able to date it approximately at least. No brand name in the jacket. I have not been able to find too much detail about this company on the web.

Hi 53Effie, did you ever find out more about SERVAL? I have a similar Perfecto style leather with SERVAL zips, and would love to hear what you've learned. Most of the info I've found online has more to do with the factory's sign, which was famously visible from Shea Stadium, but little or no info on when they closed.

 

[Dinerman]

C. 1925 Hookless


1930s Talon


Mid 1930s Talon

 

[bentusian]

This thread may well be a legend. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mr_lits]

Absolutely epic thread!!

 

[Dinerman]

1917-c.1922

 

[53Effie]

@Honez. Sorry reply so late. Have not found anything new. Sure wish I knew the maker of my jacket. Knowing when Serval closed would be good as well. Maybe someone here will know.

 

[navetsea]

1917-c.1922

is that world's first reversible jacket zipper?

 

[robrinay]

@Honez. Sorry reply so late. Have not found anything new. Sure wish I knew the maker of my jacket. Knowing when Serval closed would be good as well. Maybe someone here will know.

This web page says that Serval used the building between 1942 and 1979 so that's an indicator of when they stopped trading.
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-07-16/Front_Page/CLOCK_TOWER_RESTORATION.html

Apparently they were dissolved as a company in 1991
http://www.businesslookup.org/serval_slide_fasteners_inc

 

[Dinerman]

is that world's first reversible jacket zipper?

The world's first production zipper, yes. Reversible, no. And not meant for jackets, as the separable bottom wouldn't be invented for another 13 years. One piece suits, where the fixed bottom wasn't an issue, were early applications. Mine was off of a WWI money belt.