Excelled Horsehide MC Jacket-One Star

[tmitchell59]

I just got this in the mail today. Had not thought much about it until I read the BK thread on their One Star Brando jacket. I'm no authority on these styles, but this one looks a lot like the Durable Jacket. It is a size 40 so fit pics will be thin. I may try one. I notice that the belt attaches to the side/back at a different location.

I have seen Excelled jackets through the years at pawn shops. Always thought they were made by Schott. Don't know anything about the Brand. I was surprised to see one in horsehide, I didn't think they made horsehide jackets. This one must be early.

 

[ton312]

That's awesome! I always thought Sears did Excelled jackets, especially the later ones...You're right about the age. Both Fideliy and Excelled did their early jackets in horse and they are hard to come by. That label looks pristine.

 

[Monitor]

Yep, they all used to be HH at first but now they're hard to find, what Ton said. The earliest ones are the nicest I've seen. That one is just in such a beautiful condition... Gorgeous jacket. I think that Schott did these at some point for Sears? Anyway, they're all high quality. The main difference between this jacket and the Durable would be the belt buckle, sleeve zips position and epaulets.

 

[ton312]

Total side bar but I have more typos, per square inch of text, using this forum, than any other means of digital communication, anywhere on earth.

 

[tmitchell59]

I don't get the Sears connection. Not like any Sears I've seen and I've got an early HH Hercules. I'm not that familar with Schott. There is another one on ebay like this only has the red lining.

thanks for the information.

 

[Monitor]

Sears used to do this style in addition to their D-pocket.

I think everyone ever made a version at some point.

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[tmitchell59]

Sears used to do this style in addition to their D-pocket.

I think everyone ever made a version at some point.

OK thanks. These are Sears Branded? Do you know the labels? Hercules, Fieldmaster, Oakbrook? The Hercules I pictures is probably mid 50s.

 

[Monitor]

They're both The Leather Shop.

 

[ton312]

Yeah once the moved to the Oakbrook/ leather shop label a myriad of makers produced this style and they were almost identical. Wards. Beau Breed, etc...

 

[thor]

There is an Excelled Leather and Sheepskin company in NYC. They make men's and women's leather jackets including custom MC jackets. Not sure if they are related to the OP's jacket manufacturer or not.
http://www.excelled.com/index.html

 

[Monitor]

These are possibly the worst fit pics I've ever seen on a website! Literally every jacket is 10 sizes too large for the model!

 

[tmitchell59]

Yeah once the moved to the Oakbrook/ leather shop label a myriad of makers produced this style and they were almost identical. Wards. Beau Breed, etc...

Yes, they poured out. I always thought of the Excelled as low end. These are MC jackets I would see at pawn shops, yard sales. They were not that good of quality. I was not into the style either.

The Oakbrook are always in Steer Hide and not always labeled. I think they quit labeling because no one was doing Horsehde anymore. The Oakbrooks are nice a few steps above the Leather Shop. I've seen some like new with attached Collar Oakbrooks that looked like steals, but people were not buying them.

The best of my lot is the Sportclad. It is near mint and that does help, but it the Leather, Fit and Finish they are top drawer. The Sportclad is on the level of a Real McCoys Buco reproduction. It is incredible nice. I quit buying for myself when I got that one.

The Excelled feels more like my Steerhide Buco police jacket. More that weight. The Hercule is just plain Heavy. The Excelled is nice, nicely worn, but not worn out. I'll try squeezing in it..

Watching The Wild One you can tell that jacket is not a Heavy like the Hercules more the weight of the Excelled. Just the way it moves, especially if they are near new. I just Vasolined it, I'll wait for the shine to fade.

 

[ton312]

I might be wrong but I believe the sport clad label originates from JC Penny. I had one with a white snap on fur collar. It was awesome but about one size too small for me. The grain and greasing were quite nice. Mine had a white quilted liner. They really are nice jackets. The stitching details around the cig pocket and top of sleeve zips really make it such a great design.

 

[ton312]

These are possibly the worst fit pics I've ever seen on a website! Literally every jacket is 10 sizes too large for the model!

Worst fit pics and slogan on the interweb

 

[tmitchell59]

I might be wrong but I believe the sport clad label originates from JC Penny. I had one with a white snap on fur collar. It was awesome but about one size too small for me. The grain and greasing were quite nice. Mine had a white quilted liner. They really are nice jackets. The stitching details around the cig pocket and top of sleeve zips really make it such a great design.

Yes Sportclad was J.C. Penney. This was confirmed as new in 1948. With Vintage Jackets I have found Sportclad is very high quality. I believe James Dean is thought or known to have worn a Sportclad. Your jacket sounds like a nice one. I've seen a few others like mine, but not in this condition. Not as common as a Hercules. The Sportclad just feels less mass produced.

 

[tmitchell59]

I couldn't wait until it dried. Remember it is a 40 so small on me. The Zippers haven't been used in some time. Nice feel on. Has Quilt lining in sleeves also. The Sleeves close nice and tight.

 

[ProteinNerd]

These are possibly the worst fit pics I've ever seen on a website! Literally every jacket is 10 sizes too large for the model!

You're not joking, every single model is wearing a jacket way too big for them.....

 

[navetsea]

These are possibly the worst fit pics I've ever seen on a website! Literally every jacket is 10 sizes too large for the model!

the slogan should be "family size leather jacket"

 

[Peacoat]

What an iconic jacket and in excellent condition. While it is not the style for me, I can still appreciate it for its historical value. I enjoy looking at all the posts on these great old jackets. Yours turns my head. Thanks for posting.