Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[jonbuilder]

California Sport Wear
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-1940s-California-HORSEHIDE-Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket-L-XL/233667286059?hash=item3667a7d42b:g:0IsAAOSwR4JfJT37
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-1940s-...916734?hash=item3667746abe:g:9NUAAOSw3WhfIOt-

Ralphs Pugh

 

[jonbuilder]

Golden Bear Horse halfbelt nice condition 40
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Golden-Bea...nd=Golden+Bear&_trksid=p2059210.c100148.m2813

 

[AeroFan_07]

Unknown/not labled maker "long Torso & Back" Steerhide Perfecto. Brass Talon zips, appears quite heavy & well build. Needs a few seam repairs. On the cheap side...$180 BIN
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-60s-Leather-Biker-Motorcycle-Jacket-L-XL-Talon-Zipper-Made-in-USA/283867188521?

 

[AeroFan_07]

Goatskin Langlitz in Chicago - but note Pit to Pit is only 20" (I question that measurement)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Langlitz-C...907252?hash=item2d0dbb4db4:g:4mYAAOSwgaVe3Q7c

 

[Monitor]

California Sport Wear
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-1940s-California-HORSEHIDE-Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket-L-XL/233667286059?hash=item3667a7d42b:g:0IsAAOSwR4JfJT37 View attachment 251652
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-1940s-...916734?hash=item3667746abe:g:9NUAAOSw3WhfIOt-

Ralphs Pugh View attachment 251653

Mintvintage rocks! Where do they find this stuff!

 

[Guppy]

Unknown/not labled maker "long Torso & Back" Steerhide Perfecto. Brass Talon zips, appears quite heavy & well build. Needs a few seam repairs. On the cheap side...$180 BIN
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-60s-Leather-Biker-Motorcycle-Jacket-L-XL-Talon-Zipper-Made-in-USA/283867188521?

That's a Lesco. I had one just like it. Nice jacket.

 

[Kubatu]

Pretty sure this is a fidelity motorcycle jacket. Priced at $197 plus shipping, but poshmark sellers usually will accept lower offers. https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintag...acket-c-1960-Size-46-5ef63eed16295847c67512df

 

[Guppy]

Pretty sure this is a fidelity motorcycle jacket. Priced at $197 plus shipping, but poshmark sellers usually will accept lower offers. https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintag...acket-c-1960-Size-46-5ef63eed16295847c67512df

Pretty sure this is a fidelity motorcycle jacket. Priced at $197 plus shipping, but poshmark sellers usually will accept lower offers. https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintag...acket-c-1960-Size-46-5ef63eed16295847c67512df

Looks a lot like the Aero Indian Ranger model.

 

[Will Zach]

The chain is a Fidelity feature.

 

[Kubatu]

The chain is a Fidelity feature.

The chain and the tag make me pretty sure this is a Fidelity. Here are two other Fidelity jackets, one is missing the chain, but they both have the same style labels. I do not have my Fidelity jacket on hand right now, but it has both the chain and the tag as well.

Spoiler: Labels

 

[Kubatu]

Here are two other Poshmark fidelity jackets, the first is $100 + shipping and is size 36. The second is $229 + shipping and is size 42, but appears to be in mint condition.

https://poshmark.com/listing/VIntage-Fidelity-Leathers-Black-Leather-Jacket-5f00ed15ac970280ee39ed34

https://poshmark.com/listing/NEW-Vintage-leather-motorcycle-jacket-Size-42-5e42e962bf5430609870a0b5

 

[JMax]

The chain and the tag make me pretty sure this is a Fidelity. Here are two other Fidelity jackets, one is missing the chain, but they both have the same style labels. I do not have my Fidelity jacket on hand right now, but it has both the chain and the tag as well.

Spoiler: Labels

The IR is definitely Fidelity. I have one, great jacket for the price. Rin Tanaka notes the similarities between this jacket and the original IR. Since both makers based were based in Boston, one ceased operations around the time the other started, etc., he speculated that some relation existed. Not sure I buy it, but the jackets are similar.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Cal, BIN $135:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324250973294

 

[JMax]

Cal, BIN $135:
View attachment 251865
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324250973294

Me, if I didn’t have three new jackets inbound...

 

[AeroFan_07]

Cal, BIN $135:
View attachment 251865
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324250973294

Amazingly cheap for what it is, but the 23.5" sleeve length is in fact a deal breaker for me....

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Amazingly cheap for what it is, but the 23.5" sleeve length is in fact a deal breaker for me....

Agreed. One could find a work around for the missing belt loops, but those sleeves aren't getting any longer.

 

[stmike]

Seller doesn't seem to feel it's very wearable due to leather deterioration.

 

[Will Zach]

Depends what it is. If the leather is merely dry, that is a simple restoration. Killer price for a Cal...

 

[TheOldFashioned]

There is only so much you can tell by pictures, but I don't see any evidence of cracking, flaking, dry rot, etc. Personally, I don't associate vintage jackets that are 50+ years old as being "supple." Robust...yes. Supple...no.

I have a similar brown version of this jacket, probably of same vintage as it has the same red tag, which I vaguely remember reading it was only used for a short period of time:


I wouldn't call my jacket supple by any means, but it's definitely wearable with no reservations. I actually had it airing out today and will probably give it a coat of Vaseline one day this week.

That being said, the seller has the benefit of having the jacket in hand. One would assume the seller would be able to provide the most accurate description. In my experience that isn't always the case when buying on eBay. Sometimes it's been to my detriment, but more often to my benefit.

 

[Will Zach]

Vintage shearling Californian L - $125 BIN

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Su...mCondition=2000|2500|3000|4000|5000|6000|7000