Deerskin

[Superfluous]

On TFL, HH and cowhide receive the majority of the attention. Deerskin is rarely if ever mentioned. I own a couple of deerskin jackets, but they are NOT vintage repros; rather, they are contemporary type jackets (not modern or fashion oriented). As such, I associate deerskin with more contemporary jackets, as opposed to vintage pieces. I know that deerskin was used on some vintage pieces, but deerskin appears to be less common among vintage jackets and very uncommon among repro manufacturers.

I am looking at a 30s Rider/halfbelt style jacket made out of deerskin. I like the style and the leather looks great, but I am concerned that the deerskin may take away from the authenticity of the jacket; in other words, the deerskin may transform a vintage repro look into a more contemporary look. I am concerned about a disconnect between the styling of the jacket and the deerskin. I associate 30s Rider/halfbelt style jackets with HH and cowhide, but not deerskin. Again, I know that deerskin was used by some manufacturers back in the 30s. Moreover, the manufacturer of the jacket I am looking at -- RMC -- is known for its exact replication of vintage pieces, and RMC has identified the precise jacket it used for this repro, so the source is legit.

What do you think? Is there a disconnect between a 30s Rider style jacket and deerskin? Does deerskin take away from the jacket, or enhance it? Does the deerskin make the jacket more "contemporary" (I am not looking for a contemporary jacket)? I feel odd asking these questions about a RMC reproduction, but the deerskin confuses me. What do you think?

Here is the jacket:

 

[Dinerman]

Deerskin was used in the 1930s for this style of jacket.

Here's a late 1930s jacket by AT Hendrick



Mid-late 1930s. No makers labels left.



As an aside, I wonder why RMC has a repro of a mid-'30s talon as the main zip and a repro of a 1950s one on the breast pocket?

 

[Seb Lucas]

All those photos and not one of the back.

Looks like every other half-belt I've ever seen (from the front anyway). I've only ever seen deer in vintage jackets, I understand it doesn't wear as well as other hides.

 

[Dinerman]

As to the durability, it really depends. Deer used to be advertised as one of the strongest and hardest wearing leathers, while still being one of the softest.

In my experience, its durability all depends on the tannery. The Hendrick jacket above was obviously worn a lot, but the leather remains supple and virtually blemish free. The finish on the leather from some deer tanneries had a nasty tendency to flake after a couple of decades.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Yes, it's the flaking I've seen on many of them. Interesting to learn it's not ubiquitous.

 

[apba1166]

I have 3 modern deerskin jackets. A rigger by LW, a car coat custom made by a Turkish outfit (outstanding), and a shirt jacket. I have about ten others I've collected from the 40s, 50s, 60s...

The nice thing about them is they are great to work outdoors in. Tough, weather resistant, and pliable. So they are good in the woods, working with machines, doing manual stuff, and so on. All the stuff you mostly can't do in FQHH and heavy. They also can be dressy, if cut for it, because they drape and move with your body rather than bend and crunch.

Every deerskin lining I have, new or old, is acetate satin or silk. I suppose a cotton or wool or thicker, more durable lining kills the drape and pliability.

If you like deer's pliability and the graining, etc., and want the toughness--but don't want to spend the dollars (good deerskin is a premium), consider naked cowhide. Similar feel, a bit thicker.

As to the durability, it really depends. Deer used to be advertised as one of the strongest and hardest wearing leathers, while still being one of the softest.

In my experience, its durability all depends on the tannery. The Hendrick jacket above was obviously worn a lot, but the leather remains supple and virtually blemish free. The finish on the leather from some deer tanneries had a nasty tendency to flake after a couple of decades.

 

[Superfluous]

All those photos and not one of the back.

Sorry bout that.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I know little about deerskin, but I can say that I think that jacket looks great! Very unique. The grain certainly gives the jacket a different character.

 

[ingineer]

Super;
I've only owned one deerskin jacket. It was like wearing a second skin. Very comfortable. No break-in needed.
It was the natural tanned as Dinerman's.
If you don't mind the extra expense the go for it.
Richard

 

[Seb Lucas]

Overall it looks fine - the leather has a pleasant appearance and the black isn't too shiny. The back is okay but that seam running down the middle is annoying. But that's personal taste. If you can be sure that the deer hide wears okay over the years then it seems like a nice item. I don't think the skin is sufficiently unusually looking to attract negative attention if that's what you were concerned about. It's a period hide that many are familiar with. How much?

 

[thor]

Very cool jacket; I looked at the Real McCoy's website and they've got lots of very nice stuff. Apparently the Joe McCoy line is all vintage workwear inspired clothing; everything from leather jackets to throwback style t-shirts.
The deerskin jacket is listed as "30's deerskin sports jacket/Oklahoma" and sells for ¥216,000 ($2,125US).

 

[morrison2951]

I've got a one of a kind G&B deerskin A-2 and it's my favorite jacket in my collection.

 

[zhz]

I think Aero used to have a deerskin jacket.

 

[Sloan1874]

They still do. Aero's deerskin, at least the examples I've handled, is much closer in finish to that of the ones Dinerman has posted. It's very nice, has a mid-weight drape with a moleskin-like finish. You almost wouldn't know it was an animal hide, especially in black.

 

[Superfluous]

After much contemplation, I pulled the trigger yesterday. I wanted a black moto style jacket, but with a collar and hand warmer pockets. I really like the ELMC Californian, but I already have a dark brown one on order. Given that my similar RMC Buco J-100 is HH, I thought this collared moto jacket should be made from a different hide so as to further distinguish it from the Buco. Moreover, I wanted this jacket to be more relaxed. The Oklahoma appears to fit the bill. It is supposed to ship today.

 

[Edward]

Nice looking jacket. Reminds me a bit of the Aero Speedster, though I think it's a little longer, and it doesn't have a yoke over the back of the shoulders. As others have said, deerskin was certainly used back then.

Sloan, are Aero still doing the deerskin? I remember when they introduced the light-coloured midweight horse as an alternative to that - I think the blurb was it was similar, without the danger of rot? With modern tanning methods, of course, I'm sure the rot thing isn't a problem now.

 

[zhz]

I just checked their website, there is a deerskin model there.

Nice looking jacket. Reminds me a bit of the Aero Speedster, though I think it's a little longer, and it doesn't have a yoke over the back of the shoulders. As others have said, deerskin was certainly used back then.

Sloan, are Aero still doing the deerskin? I remember when they introduced the light-coloured midweight horse as an alternative to that - I think the blurb was it was similar, without the danger of rot? With modern tanning methods, of course, I'm sure the rot thing isn't a problem now.

 

[Sloan1874]

Nice looking jacket. Reminds me a bit of the Aero Speedster, though I think it's a little longer, and it doesn't have a yoke over the back of the shoulders. As others have said, deerskin was certainly used back then.

Sloan, are Aero still doing the deerskin? I remember when they introduced the light-coloured midweight horse as an alternative to that - I think the blurb was it was similar, without the danger of rot? With modern tanning methods, of course, I'm sure the rot thing isn't a problem now.

Yep, the half-belt in black deer skin is still there. I can't imagine any jacket nowadays would be at risk to rotting nowadays - not unless you live in somewhere like Malaysia or Goa, where humidity can reach the 90s, though why you'd want to invest in anything other than a wardrobe of light cotton clothing there, I have no idea.

 

[tropicalbob]

This is what my wife keeps saying.

 

[Don Tomaso]

Sorry bout that.

Very nice jacket and good fit. Reminds me a bit of my Aero Pioneer, which is deerskin as well (well, it is Kudu...). Love the grain! And, btw, compared to HH, this stuff doesn't age...