Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[JMax]

If measurements are accurate this should fit me to a tee! That's nice stuff!

I just noticed seller states he has “two of these jackets”. If you or anyone else do eventually take the plunge, make sure he sends you the jacket in the photo.

 

[Jin431]

I just noticed seller states he has “two of these jackets”. If you or anyone else do eventually take the plunge, make sure he sends you the jacket in the photo.

Its a little too late for me lol I just bought some black shinki from Japan. I'm bringing the hides to JL and have them go to town for a modified CHP cross zip for me

 

[JMax]

Its a little too late for me lol I just bought some black shinki from Japan. I'm bringing the hides to JL and have them go to town for a modified CHP cross zip for me

I thought about doing that and sending the hides to Vanson. Not sure that is still a go at Vanson. I look forward to the jacket. You going standard CHP or will you tweak the design in some way?

 

[Jin431]

I thought about doing that and sending the hides to Vanson. Not sure that is still a go at Vanson. I look forward to the jacket. You going standard CHP or will you tweak the design in some way?

I should receive the hides next week and bring it to JL. I havent talked to them about it but I'm sure they will humor me with the project. It will be tweaked a little for some added flavor. It will be a standard LAPD for the base design but will have Padded shoulder/elbows like @Leather Walker Cal/hidden lapel zippers like a la Brea/no belt loops but will have double side adjusters like with LL or vanson. Then the obligatory detachable mouton collar. Something like that

 

[Pandemic]

Its a little too late for me lol I just bought some black shinki from Japan. I'm bringing the hides to JL and have them go to town for a modified CHP cross zip for me

I’d love to hear more about this! How much did you buy and was it difficult to source?

 

[Al 916]

You thought the last one had a 'full' patina.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403011240817?hash=item5dd5578371:g:KwkAAOSwgGdg-Vte&LH_ItemCondition=3000

 

[Coriu]

Does anyone know where the Shinki Hikaku tannery is getting their horse hides from? Are these horses that were raised and used for meat in Japan?

 

[handymike]

They came from Poland at one point.

 

[Coriu]

Schott 626VN 22.5" P2P NWT $700BIN Lots of bling
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255061730064?hash=item3b62dd2310:g:W-8AAOSw2HBg-Hon

 

[Al 916]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184958786031?hash=item2b106719ef:g:RlkAAOSwq7hg-YSV

Sadly 2" too much p2p and 1" shoulder for me
Looks in great condition.

 

[handymike]

These Connolly ones are the best Aero ever made IMHO.
If the pattern and sizing work for you, dive in!

 

[Coriu]

These Connolly ones are the best Aero ever made IMHO.
If the pattern and sizing work for you, dive in!

I have a steerhide Aero Highwayman. How does one know if it is Connolly? Is it certain years of manufacture and model? Thanks in advance for the education.

 

[handymike]

You can easily tell the difference between the Connolly and Horween Steerhides. The Connolly is very pliable, mid-weight, has a bit of a pebbled texture, and smells like roses (if any is left). It really feels like expensive leather- Maserati, Jaguar & Bently used it for years in their interiors. Horween is thicker and has different graining. The grey area comes with other various steerhide Aero has used (Alaskan, European, etc.) You are pretty safe guessing it’s Connolly if your Aero jacket is pre 1995, black, and a highwayman, 50s halfbelt, biker jacket, or cop jacket.
I had what I believe was one of the only brown ones- an 80s highwayman one-off by Ken.

 

[Coriu]

You can easily tell the difference between the Connolly and Horween Steerhides. The Connolly is very pliable, mid-weight, has a bit of a pebbled texture, and smells like roses (if any is left). It really feels like expensive leather- Maserati, Jaguar & Bently used it for years in their interiors. Horween is thicker and has different graining. The grey area comes with other various steerhide Aero has used (Alaskan, European, etc.) You are pretty safe guessing it’s Connolly if your Aero jacket is pre 1995, black, and a highwayman, 50s halfbelt, biker jacket, or cop jacket.
I had what I believe was one of the only brown ones- an 80s highwayman one-off by Ken.

Thank you! It's an older jacket and the leather is lovely, so I guess it is Connolly. I remember when I got it thinking, "Darn, this is really nice."

 

[Al 916]

These Connolly ones are the best Aero ever made IMHO.
If the pattern and sizing work for you, dive in!

Would that it had been my size Mike.
Best one I have seen and a good price.

I am looking for Shoulders 19, sleeves 24 and p2p 22

 

[handymike]

So, you are looking for a 38 .

 

[Al 916]

So, you are looking for a 38 .

I believe that's the one...

btw, I would rather like to see the brown Connolly if you have any pictures of it (sounds like it would have very interesting graining).

 

[handymike]

Here's a link to an album of shots:
https://imgur.com/a/V9bPerd

 

[jonbuilder]

I believe that's the one...

btw, I would rather like to see the brown Connolly if you have any pictures of it (sounds like it would have very interesting graining).

I had a black Connoly at the time and I would have brought Mikes if it was a size 44 and a 44 Connoly HWM is smaller than a current-day size 40 HWM

 

[Monitor]

These Connolly ones are the best Aero ever made IMHO.
If the pattern and sizing work for you, dive in!

Agreed and confirmed. Even if it's not Connolly but an early random steer, you're in for a fantastic jacket though Connolly HWM is where it's at. Aero had some fantastic leather in the past. Not that CXL isn't fantastic but that earlier stuff was a class of its own.

Here's one I used to have. Didn't fit me, though.