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Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

Messages
10,673
Vanson F $300, 46

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2660159883...CJi9omFSVa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

28A3F8AE-E80C-4F57-AD52-066702318CFF.jpeg
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,166

Someone more knowledgeable will have to do a post someday about what makes Durable special beyond one of their jackets (possibly) being used in a movie 70 years ago. Maybe they need to be handled in person to see what makes them so much better than other makers of the same vintage because my lying eyes don't see it.
 
Messages
17,558
Location
Chicago
Someone more knowledgeable will have to do a post someday about what makes Durable special beyond one of their jackets (possibly) being used in a movie 70 years ago. Maybe they need to be handled in person to see what makes them so much better than other makers of the same vintage because my lying eyes don't see it.
I don’t either. Granted my Durable jacket had a dry rotted shoulder panel but beyond that the materials overall felt no better than anything else of the period. If anything I would say inferior to Hercules and Windward labels. If I’m being totally honest I’d put the Durable below even the old HH Excelled jackets. I’d need a broader sample to be sure but $1,150? LOL. No.
$350, maybe, $300 or less, then yes. I’ve also become less inclined to take chances with old stuff. I don’t want to pay a premium for somebodies rot, seam, or mold problem. It’s the curse of old clothes. Could be my gambling days are done.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
Someone more knowledgeable will have to do a post someday about what makes Durable special beyond one of their jackets (possibly) being used in a movie 70 years ago. Maybe they need to be handled in person to see what makes them so much better than other makers of the same vintage because my lying eyes don't see it.
I don’t either. Granted my Durable jacket had a dry rotted shoulder panel but beyond that the materials overall felt no better than anything else of the period. If anything I would say inferior to Hercules and Windward labels. If I’m being totally honest I’d put the Durable below even the old HH Excelled jackets. I’d need a broader sample to be sure but $1,150? LOL. No.
$350, maybe, $300 or less, then yes. I’ve also become less inclined to take chances with old stuff. I don’t want to pay a premium for somebodies rot, seam, or mold problem. It’s the curse of old clothes. Could be my gambling days are done.
I have only handled one Durable jacket and it was pretty similar in style to the one posted *but it did not have side cinches). It was it think like.....the third vintage jacket I ever bought. It was nothing special. For some reason, I sorta thought less of it than the old Brent Car Coat I had bought around the same time. I remember considering Durable like -- a lower quality more institutional uniform type company and thinking it was a lesser brand. I admit I did not research the brand as I was still a noob. I sold both of the jackets for no more than $100 each.

In the years since then I have learned a lot and seen many many more Durable models and they are not usually ever deals. I always seem to find them overpriced. It just seems like the Sellers I have encountered with a Durable are never a Lounger type leather addict or collector but someone who did a couple of seconds of "due diligence" and slapped an unapproachable price on their jacket thinking they have some rare jewel.

@ton312 Your statement about them seeming below "even the old HH Excelled jackets" stuck a familiar chord with me. Not knowing the history at the time, I pretty much discounted the quality and value based on the jacket I had in hand. Like you, I do have very limited personal experience with Durables---so I expect others can better attest to their quality/value but from what I have seen, I share the sentiments of @Aloysius that I just don't get the apparent attraction and perceived valuation of these jackets.

Regarding the CURSE OF OLD CLOTHES, it just SEEMS like there aren't as many quality good condition vintage jackets popping up at the rates they used to or at the prices they used to. For awhile now it seems like the stuff that hits the market is either crispy thrashed jackets that need like..... a main zipper replacement and/or more work OR they are in ok shape yet priced like this Durable----4-5 times what the jacket is realistically worth.

Is it really gettin to be slim pickins these days---Is it Inflation---or just my imagination? (sounds like a lyric!!)
 

Bluechel

Practically Family
Messages
997
I have only handled one Durable jacket and it was pretty similar in style to the one posted *but it did not have side cinches). It was it think like.....the third vintage jacket I ever bought. It was nothing special. For some reason, I sorta thought less of it than the old Brent Car Coat I had bought around the same time. I remember considering Durable like -- a lower quality more institutional uniform type company and thinking it was a lesser brand. I admit I did not research the brand as I was still a noob. I sold both of the jackets for no more than $100 each.

In the years since then I have learned a lot and seen many many more Durable models and they are not usually ever deals. I always seem to find them overpriced. It just seems like the Sellers I have encountered with a Durable are never a Lounger type leather addict or collector but someone who did a couple of seconds of "due diligence" and slapped an unapproachable price on their jacket thinking they have some rare jewel.

@ton312 Your statement about them seeming below "even the old HH Excelled jackets" stuck a familiar chord with me. Not knowing the history at the time, I pretty much discounted the quality and value based on the jacket I had in hand. Like you, I do have very limited personal experience with Durables---so I expect others can better attest to their quality/value but from what I have seen, I share the sentiments of @Aloysius that I just don't get the apparent attraction and perceived valuation of these jackets.

Regarding the CURSE OF OLD CLOTHES, it just SEEMS like there aren't as many quality good condition vintage jackets popping up at the rates they used to or at the prices they used to. For awhile now it seems like the stuff that hits the market is either crispy thrashed jackets that need like..... a main zipper replacement and/or more work OR they are in ok shape yet priced like this Durable----4-5 times what the jacket is realistically worth.

Is it really gettin to be slim pickins these days---Is it Inflation---or just my imagination? (sounds like a lyric!!)
It's imagiflation. Sorry, couldn't help it.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
WHY you ask is this Vest being posted in the FINDS AND DEALS thread????

Gentlemen, this vest is a TRUE FIND because, as you can read in the listing----THIS vest is SLEEVELESS!!!! In fact, this particular Seller has cornered the market on SLEEVELESS VESTS as he/she has several for sale. Does this Seller also sell WET WATER??

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3255719742...=|tkp:Bk9SR-6RpvTaYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000|10


Great Scott Batman!!!! This Vest has NO SLEEVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1678649513803.png
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,800
Location
Illinois
Someone more knowledgeable will have to do a post someday about what makes Durable special beyond one of their jackets (possibly) being used in a movie 70 years ago. Maybe they need to be handled in person to see what makes them so much better than other makers of the same vintage because my lying eyes don't see it.
The jacket in questions is obviously overpriced. It is an interesting jacket to me because the plain back styling reminds me of a Monarch jacket. The Durable brand/label does not translate into rarity and value because of the Durable/Brando connection. I owned and sold 2 vintage Durables.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/32XpLFpfMPgEfXCDA


https://photos.app.goo.gl/EFywS8z2PeeKPVsG6

They were sold because they did not fit me. Both are high quality jackets of their day. Durable made a very standard line of jackets including a MC style jacket.

The Durable/Brando connection is well known. I'm not sure of the current status. Seems enough believe it is true to create a demand for the MC jacket. There are threads on here about this jacket, folks here own them.

I have never handled a Durable MC jacket, so I could not comment on them in comparison to others. I do like the look of them.

That all changed about half an hour ago as I was thinking about this answer. This jacket will ask and answer a lot of questions.

1678649293094.jpeg
1678649326699.jpeg
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,166
The Durable/Brando connection is well known. I'm not sure of the current status. Seems enough believe it is true to create a demand for the MC jacket. There are threads on here about this jacket, folks here own them.

I just posted the continuation of my thoughts in the Durable thread, a bit ago.

I don’t doubt that they’re decent jackets, but it seems to me that the demand for them is driven by the film–and to my mind many of these people want the film jacket because it’s big in the leather jacket world, so a bit circular. At least with Indiana Jones it’s usually Indy fans seeking out the film jacket; not jacket fans deciding they must seek out Indiana Jones and his jacket.

I’d love to read your thoughts once that arrives in the Durable thread because it’s an interesting hub.
 
Messages
10,673
The jacket in questions is obviously overpriced. It is an interesting jacket to me because the plain back styling reminds me of a Monarch jacket. The Durable brand/label does not translate into rarity and value because of the Durable/Brando connection. I owned and sold 2 vintage Durables.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/32XpLFpfMPgEfXCDA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EFywS8z2PeeKPVsG6

They were sold because they did not fit me. Both are high quality jackets of their day. Durable made a very standard line of jackets including a MC style jacket.

The Durable/Brando connection is well known. I'm not sure of the current status. Seems enough believe it is true to create a demand for the MC jacket. There are threads on here about this jacket, folks here own them.

I have never handled a Durable MC jacket, so I could not comment on them in comparison to others. I do like the look of them.

That all changed about half an hour ago as I was thinking about this answer. This jacket will ask and answer a lot of questions.

View attachment 497345 View attachment 497346

To my eye, the hide Durable used in their few MC jacket variations is more pleasing than what they used in their other styles.
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
The jacket in questions is obviously overpriced. It is an interesting jacket to me because the plain back styling reminds me of a Monarch jacket. The Durable brand/label does not translate into rarity and value because of the Durable/Brando connection. I owned and sold 2 vintage Durables.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/32XpLFpfMPgEfXCDA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EFywS8z2PeeKPVsG6

They were sold because they did not fit me. Both are high quality jackets of their day. Durable made a very standard line of jackets including a MC style jacket.

The Durable/Brando connection is well known. I'm not sure of the current status. Seems enough believe it is true to create a demand for the MC jacket. There are threads on here about this jacket, folks here own them.

I have never handled a Durable MC jacket, so I could not comment on them in comparison to others. I do like the look of them.

That all changed about half an hour ago as I was thinking about this answer. This jacket will ask and answer a lot of questions.

View attachment 497345 View attachment 497346
Wow!!!!! Looks like a cool jacket!!!!! Talk about bein ON THE CASE!!!!!!! @tmitchell59 give us your read on the DURABLE jacket when you have a chance!! That label looks more modern than some I have seen but maybe its actually older??? The jacket looks pretty old especially the collar. Hoping you didn't spend $10,000.00 on this!!!!! : )
 

Claybertrand

One Too Many
Messages
1,548
To my eye, the hide Durable used in their few MC jacket variations is more pleasing than what they used in their other styles.
I agree with this. I wonder if there was ever a transfer of ownership of any kind over the years that might explain a quality shift??
 

Aloysius

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,166
Wow!!!!! Looks like a cool jacket!!!!! Talk about bein ON THE CASE!!!!!!! @tmitchell59 give us your read on the DURABLE jacket when you have a chance!! That label looks more modern than some I have seen but maybe its actually older??? The jacket looks pretty old especially the collar. Hoping you didn't spend $10,000.00 on this!!!!! : )

No, he’s saving the $10,000 certified check for the Standard & Strange jacket.
 

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