Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

FANTASTIC early Aero (1980s) "Patrolman's Jacket". Tagged 44. Connolly steerhide.

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,054
Location
Pennington
FANTASTIC EARLY (1980s) AERO LEATHER JACKET!

"Patrolman's Jacket"

Tagged 44 (but closer to a 42). Measurements:

Chest: 21 1/2 (there is leeway here owing to the action back)
Sleeve: 25 (straight down)
Sleeve: 26 (around the curve)
Shoulder: 18 (measured at back)
Length: 25 (from bottom of collar to hem, at back)

This is a fantastic, rare, early 1980s Aero in absolutely wonderful condition!

I believe that this jacket is cut from Connolly steerhide. This leather is both sturdy and luxurious. Its sturdiness is attested to by the fact that it was used in the interior of British Submarine Spitfire fighter 'planes (those that, together with Hurricanes, won the Battle of Britain) during the Second World War. And its luxuriousness is demonstrated by the fact that Rolls-Royce chose it to be the leather they used to upholster the interior of their cars.

The incredible quality of this leather is partly the result of the hide being rose-tanned--a process similar to vegetable tanning except that rose extract is used instead of the typical vegetable oils. (New Connolly leather smells vaguely of roses as a result!) This process is prohibitively expensive..... but the results are worth it: Despite its toughness Connolly leather is so soft that it is a joy to wear a jacket made from it, and it develops the most beautiful grain.

Unfortunately, Aero stopped using Connolly leather relatively early in their history, as it just became prohibitively expensive to use. And now they can never use it again, as the company no longer exists.

None of us will ever experience the pleasure of the faint scent of roses from a new batch of Connolly leather.
1f641.png


But a lucky few of us can still experience the joys of an early Aero leather jacket made from Connolly leather--such as this one!

This "Patrolman's" jacket is cut as a classsic cross-zip motorcycle jacket. It has a (slight) action back for ease of movement, and underarm panels to enable both ease of wear and ease of arm movement. The sleeves are zippered; the jacket closes with its original ailee zipper which still moves beautifully smoothly and--unlike most current Aero zippers!--isn't at all difficult or fiddly to use.

It is lined in what appears to be heavy-duty black cotton twill. It features a kidney panel at the back--again, Connolly leather--which as well as providing protection while riding also ensures that the lining does't fray or sag.

All of the pocket bags are original and in excellent condition. All of the pocket zippers and sleeve zippers are original and have their original pulls. All the snaps are original and function perfectly. The buckle is heavy brass.

This jacket does have some minor patina, as shown--which is just what you want in a jacket like this! (All of its minor imperfections are shown--please see the pictures!) It has also developed absolutely beautiful grain.

It is, overall, in absolutely excellent condition given its age. Beautiful, rare, and incredibly comfortable to wear, this is just $475, or offer, boxed, shipped, and insured in the USA.
 

Attachments

  • 315366941_3359113437740917_884498121273848229_n.jpg
    315366941_3359113437740917_884498121273848229_n.jpg
    860.7 KB · Views: 160
  • 315421891_3359112627740998_5964585965083805755_n.jpg
    315421891_3359112627740998_5964585965083805755_n.jpg
    836.6 KB · Views: 160
  • 315424628_3359112861074308_1455017747188919545_n.jpg
    315424628_3359112861074308_1455017747188919545_n.jpg
    818.1 KB · Views: 155
  • 315443425_3359112611074333_2661826446090876295_n.jpg
    315443425_3359112611074333_2661826446090876295_n.jpg
    852.6 KB · Views: 143
  • 315544658_3359112637740997_6486887981187798133_n.jpg
    315544658_3359112637740997_6486887981187798133_n.jpg
    967 KB · Views: 136
  • 315593663_3359112974407630_2753826471623528899_n.jpg
    315593663_3359112974407630_2753826471623528899_n.jpg
    872.5 KB · Views: 143
Last edited:

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,054
Location
Pennington
More pictures!
 

Attachments

  • 315366941_3359113437740917_884498121273848229_n.jpg
    315366941_3359113437740917_884498121273848229_n.jpg
    860.7 KB · Views: 135
  • 315419004_3359113057740955_1385925178065487183_n.jpg
    315419004_3359113057740955_1385925178065487183_n.jpg
    704.5 KB · Views: 136
  • 315443605_3359113067740954_8151582308963670872_n.jpg
    315443605_3359113067740954_8151582308963670872_n.jpg
    454.6 KB · Views: 125
  • 315453525_3359113534407574_2228163920786543282_n.jpg
    315453525_3359113534407574_2228163920786543282_n.jpg
    404.3 KB · Views: 124
  • 315460052_3359113334407594_8076659174931643169_n.jpg
    315460052_3359113334407594_8076659174931643169_n.jpg
    695.2 KB · Views: 117
  • 315488315_3359112904407637_8429764694397633707_n.jpg
    315488315_3359112904407637_8429764694397633707_n.jpg
    379.4 KB · Views: 120
  • 315496913_3359113077740953_6856685185889347180_n.jpg
    315496913_3359113077740953_6856685185889347180_n.jpg
    659.5 KB · Views: 126
  • 315519842_3359112841074310_1000671494757913781_n.jpg
    315519842_3359112841074310_1000671494757913781_n.jpg
    598 KB · Views: 124
  • 315525679_3359113627740898_3033913871749733112_n.jpg
    315525679_3359113627740898_3033913871749733112_n.jpg
    499.5 KB · Views: 125

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,054
Location
Pennington
More pictures!
 

Attachments

  • 315533357_3359112957740965_4941552499922920770_n.jpg
    315533357_3359112957740965_4941552499922920770_n.jpg
    550.2 KB · Views: 118
  • 315538661_3359113017740959_2389665665035430713_n.jpg
    315538661_3359113017740959_2389665665035430713_n.jpg
    603.6 KB · Views: 122
  • 315538887_3359112801074314_1389196869790835336_n.jpg
    315538887_3359112801074314_1389196869790835336_n.jpg
    334.9 KB · Views: 107
  • 315539016_3359113401074254_6307110785034113057_n.jpg
    315539016_3359113401074254_6307110785034113057_n.jpg
    585.9 KB · Views: 108
  • 315544658_3359112587741002_4185818156737070825_n.jpg
    315544658_3359112587741002_4185818156737070825_n.jpg
    503.2 KB · Views: 109
  • 315541917_3359113284407599_2926485211296707019_n.jpg
    315541917_3359113284407599_2926485211296707019_n.jpg
    780.3 KB · Views: 111
  • 315578952_3359113181074276_531961789300086965_n.jpg
    315578952_3359113181074276_531961789300086965_n.jpg
    540 KB · Views: 103
  • 315585781_3359113564407571_4693195172192981482_n.jpg
    315585781_3359113564407571_4693195172192981482_n.jpg
    745.7 KB · Views: 102
  • 315587128_3359113301074264_1221294244806799565_n.jpg
    315587128_3359113301074264_1221294244806799565_n.jpg
    594.3 KB · Views: 110
  • 315606201_3359113644407563_5334528030194357183_n.jpg
    315606201_3359113644407563_5334528030194357183_n.jpg
    481.8 KB · Views: 99

tweedydon

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,054
Location
Pennington
And yet more pictures!
 

Attachments

  • 315642493_3359113221074272_3971091826275017017_n.jpg
    315642493_3359113221074272_3971091826275017017_n.jpg
    749.7 KB · Views: 102
  • 315643465_3359113211074273_5278087901094961065_n.jpg
    315643465_3359113211074273_5278087901094961065_n.jpg
    723.3 KB · Views: 142

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,338
Location
Cleveland, OH
FANTASTIC EARLY (1980s) AERO LEATHER JACKET!

"Patrolman's Jacket"

Tagged 44. Measurements:

Chest: 21 1/2 (there is leeway here owing to the action back)
Sleeve: 25 (straight down)
Sleeve: 26 (around the curve)
Shoulder: 18 (measured at back)
Length: 25 (from bottom of collar to hem, at back)

This is a fantastic, rare, early 1980s Aero in absolutely wonderful condition!

I believe that this jacket is cut from Connolly steerhide. This leather is both sturdy and luxurious. Its sturdiness is attested to by the fact that it was used in the interior of British Submarine Spitfire fighter 'planes (those that, together with Hurricanes, won the Battle of Britain) during the Second World War. And its luxuriousness is demonstrated by the fact that Rolls-Royce chose it to be the leather they used to upholster the interior of their cars.

The incredible quality of this leather is partly the result of the hide being rose-tanned--a process similar to vegetable tanning except that rose extract is used instead of the typical vegetable oils. (New Connolly leather smells vaguely of roses as a result!) This process is prohibitively expensive..... but the results are worth it: Despite its toughness Connolly leather is so soft that it is a joy to wear a jacket made from it, and it develops the most beautiful grain.

Unfortunately, Aero stopped using Connolly leather relatively early in their history, as it just became prohibitively expensive to use. And now they can never use it again, as the company no longer exists.

None of us will ever experience the pleasure of the faint scent of roses from a new batch of Connolly leather.
1f641.png


But a lucky few of us can still experience the joys of an early Aero leather jacket made from Connolly leather--such as this one!

This "Patrolman's" jacket is cut as a classsic cross-zip motorcycle jacket. It has a (slight) action back for ease of movement, and underarm panels to enable both ease of wear and ease of arm movement. The sleeves are zippered; the jacket closes with its original ailee zipper which still moves beautifully smoothly and--unlike most current Aero zippers!--isn't at all difficult or fiddly to use.

It is lined in what appears to be heavy-duty black cotton twill. It features a kidney panel at the back--again, Connolly leather--which as well as providing protection while riding also ensures that the lining does't fray or sag.

All of the pocket bags are original and in excellent condition. All of the pocket zippers and sleeve zippers are original and have their original pulls. All the snaps are original and function perfectly. The buckle is heavy brass.

This jacket does have some minor patina, as shown--which is just what you want in a jacket like this! (All of its minor imperfections are shown--please see the pictures!) It has also developed absolutely beautiful grain.

It is, overall, in absolutely excellent condition given its age. Beautiful, rare, and incredibly comfortable to wear, this is just $475, or offer, boxed, shipped, and insured in the USA.
I've looked at a few of these over the years and they're always too small in the waist for me. P2P seems small for a size 44, too.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,248
Messages
3,077,191
Members
54,183
Latest member
UrbanGraveDave
Top