Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[Kubatu]

Irvin Foster Steerhide jacket, pretty questionable condition (it looks like the entire left pocket is messed up). Not really such how much TLC / repair can do here, but the seller should be open to offers. $65+shipping.

Kit Carson horsehide jacket, $165 + shipping. Seems to be in pretty good condition. I see another Lounge member was interested in it in the comments section, but it ended up being too small. Again, seller should be open to offers.

NWT Schott Horween CXL Horsehide Burgundy Perfecto, $800 + shipping. Not really a steal, but possibly a good deal. These jackets were only made in a batch of 50 and originally cost $1250. They're made with Horween CXL "ultra heavyweight horsehide". The same seller sold the exact same jacket for $650 a week ago, so I'm not really sure what's going on there.

 

[tmitchell59]

I came close on this one. Backed off and went to Japan and came back a winner. Yes, issues. but reasonable. I thinking it looks little too stiff for me. like a badalassi Bill Kelso I owned. Too much like a starched shirt feel.

I owned a Heron and this would have been a choice if I could. I'm almost going to sell this jacket to myself. I putting it here to keep it away from me. I just scored.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Himel-Brot...301878?hash=item1f15987fb6:g:CkkAAOSwPUNfSW-f

 

[Carlos840]

mighty rich pricing

How?
850Eur is around $1000, which is more than fair for a pristine Long size LW with Crown zippers. (long sizing is a 25% upcharge, Main crown is $250, there might be an upcharge for the secondary zippers as well)
That's a $2250 jacket ordered straight from LW before you even factor in shipping and import taxes, altogether i would expect to pay a total of $2500-2600 to get a new one to my door in the EU.
If this was my size i would bid on this one without hesitation.

 

[Carlos840]

I came close on this one. Backed off and went to Japan and came back a winner. Yes, issues. but reasonable. I thinking it looks little too stiff for me. like a badalassi Bill Kelso I owned. Too much like a starched shirt feel.

I owned a Heron and this would have been a choice if I could. I'm almost going to sell this jacket to myself. I putting it here to keep it away from me. I just scored.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Himel-Brot...301878?hash=item1f15987fb6:g:CkkAAOSwPUNfSW-f

What is going on with the buttons on this one?
If you look at the 6th picture it looks like the buttons are almsot pulling through the leather, i don't really understand what i am seeing but it looks weird.

 

[Monitor]

What is going on with the buttons on this one?
If you look at the 6th picture it looks like the buttons are almsot pulling through the leather, i don't really understand what i am seeing but it looks weird.

I may be wrong but I know of a method where the maker will reinforce the hole in the leather usually with a tightly stitched smaller button on one or both sides, through which they will then connect a larger / main button, using a thicker thread. That way, a large button is very easily replaceable and there's no need to go through the original stitching holes in the leather or make new ones.
I think what we're seeing here is the even more luxurious method, possibly with some plastic bits used exclusively for that purpose. But that's what I'm just guessing.

 

[Monitor]

Good price for a Brimaco (like) CR.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-60s-LEATHER-CAFE-RACER-MOTORCYCLE-JACKET-SIZE-42/193647406176

 

[Carlos840]

I may be wrong but I know of a method where the maker will reinforce the hole in the leather usually with a tightly stitched smaller button on one or both sides, through which they will then connect a larger / main button, using a thicker thread. That way, a large button is very easily replaceable and there's no need to go through the original stitching holes in the leather or make new ones.
I think what we're seeing here is the even more luxurious method, possibly with some plastic bits used exclusively for that purpose. But that's what I'm just guessing.

Yep, those are called backing buttons and they are usually visible on the other side of the leather.
I don't think this is it though.

Look at the second to last pic, you can see the bottom two buttons don't show that, probably because they haven't been used much.
The third button from the bottom on the other hand has the same big bulge beneath the button.
I really think it's a sign the buttons have been pulled a lot and the leather is deformed from the pulling.

 

[Monitor]

Yep, those are called backing buttons and they are usually visible on the other side of the leather.
I don't think this is it though.

Look at the second to last pic, you can see the bottom two buttons don't show that, probably because they haven't been used much.
The third button from the bottom on the other hand has the same big bulge beneath the button.
I really think it's a sign the buttons have been pulled a lot and the leather is deformed from the pulling.

When I right click open the photo in a different tab and zoom in, the bulging part definitely looks like a different material, plastic maybe. You can even see the impression it made in the leather, as it rotated out of place.

I dunno, still looks like a backing... button kinda deal to me.

 

[Carlos840]

When I right click open the photo in a different tab and zoom in, the bulging part definitely looks like a different material, plastic maybe. You can even see the impression it made in the leather, as it rotated out of place.

I dunno, still looks like a backing... button kinda deal to me.

I don't know man, to me this is a backing button:

You basically sandwich the leather in between two buttons.
I don't see the point in putting a backing button in between the main button and the leather, it doesn't serve any purpouse.
I would say it is either:

_ the backing buttons are as posted above and they have been pulled so hard that their shape is bulging through the leather.

_ no backing buttons were used, the leather ended up being damaged by the thread and someone tried to fix it with a blob of brown epoxy or something similar.

Either way it looks weird and i have never seen that before.

 

[Jumper]

What is going on with the buttons on this one?
If you look at the 6th picture it looks like the buttons are almsot pulling through the leather, i don't really understand what i am seeing but it looks weird.

In the description, the seller states: "Buttons have been reinforced with a special treatment similar to epoxy." What is that, exactly?

 

[Marc mndt]

When I right click open the photo in a different tab and zoom in, the bulging part definitely looks like a different material, plastic maybe. You can even see the impression it made in the leather, as it rotated out of place.

I dunno, still looks like a backing... button kinda deal to me.

" Buttons have been reinforced with a special treatment similar to epoxy. Zipper was added several months ago and is not an original feature, making this a one-of-a-kind jacket. The buttons do not line up perfectly with the button holes when zipper is fastened, but this is fairly difficult to notice when viewed."

A special epoxy treatment makes this special jacket worthless.

 

[Lebowski]

What is going on with the buttons on this one?
If you look at the 6th picture it looks like the buttons are almsot pulling through the leather, i don't really understand what i am seeing but it looks weird.

Torn leather around all buttons, then all were glued with epoxy. Shitty added cheap zipper along with buttons, sewn crooked and askew.
The jacket looks totally ruined with all those alteration and repair "works". It's not worth the purchase imho. That's not Himel jacket anymore but garbage.

no backing buttons were used, the leather ended up being damaged by the thread and someone tried to fix it with a blob of brown epoxy or something similar.

Correct.

 

[Carlos840]

Well apparently neither @Monitor or I took the time to read the add...
Funny how things are clearer when you spend the time to read things!

 

[dannyk]

@Carlos840 I may not have commented here but Im just as guilty as you @Monitor Didnt read a damn word and was staring at the pictures trying to decipher what I was seeing! ha

 

[dannyk]

Also got to give it to the seller doing their hardest to put a positive spin on it.

 

[wigan123]

Like the looks of this one. Anyone familiar with the quality of AMI jackets?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AMI-Britis...528667?hash=item289b33659b:g:QisAAOSwmrBfPrw0

 

[Erik V Larsen]

Hello, new here and looking for help identifying a jacket and pant set labeled "Highwayman Genuine Hide." From what little I have been able to find online it appears to have been made in the '60s or '70s and I wonder if it was custom fit because I cannot find a size. I also believe it was made in the UK but not sure where because of the differing owners of the label. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also intend to sell the set on as it is too small for me. Thank for your time.

 

[robrinay]

I’m guessing the suit was made in the U.K. In the 60’s by Rivetts of Leytonstone. Here’s a thread from TFL from a while ago where the ownership of the Highwayman label was being discussed.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...he-highwayman-name-from-lewis-leathers.77274/

 

[Monitor]

Well apparently neither @Monitor or I took the time to read the add...
Funny how things are clearer when you spend the time to read things!

That certainly would've saved me some embarrassment... But hey, at least we were all semi-right.

 

[Monitor]

Hello, new here and looking for help identifying a jacket and pant set labeled "Highwayman Genuine Hide." From what little I have been able to find online it appears to have been made in the '60s or '70s and I wonder if it was custom fit because I cannot find a size. I also believe it was made in the UK but not sure where because of the differing owners of the label. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also intend to sell the set on as it is too small for me. Thank for your time.

@robrinay's info is spot on. I always thought the Highwayman was a brand by itself but it would appear that it belonged to Rivett's until Lewis Leathers bought them and discontinued the sub-brand. In any case, it was made in the UK and the quality should be pretty much the same as any 60's to 70's Lewis Leathers. Which is to say, it ought to be a fantastic, high quality suit. Looks really cool! While I can't think of anyone still making this jacket but I do know that LL picked up & continued to produce this exact style of trousers up until very recently.