Guiterman Bros. Leather Jackets - 1910s and 1920s

[Dinerman]

Following the references to leather jackets in a hunting context found in the 1920s ads in this thread, I found the jackets made by Guiterman Bros. in the 1910s.

Looking at the knit cuffs and collar, as well as the fit and cut, you can really see why comparisons were drawn at this time between jackets like this and sweaters of the time.

These jackets had a cloth body, lined with leather (as opposed to the other way around). The ads describe the jackets as having action backs, though they are not pictured.

1915


1915


1916


1919


1919


1919

 

[Dinerman]

1921


1921


1921


1921

 

[Dinerman]

1912


1917


1918


1922


1922

 

[Dinerman]

Guiterman Brothers was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1904. They began using the Summit "Town & Country" name in 1904. In the early 1910s, Guiterman Brothers pioneered the attached soft collared shirt. They also called it the Summit. The company had a plant at 352 Silbey Street, St. Paul, MN, which still stands. They enjoyed prosperity during the 1910s, riding the Mackinaw boom of 1915. They were supposedly the first company to coin the name "windbreaker". As shown above, their "Town and Country" Coats and vests shared the distinctive double snap Knit-Nek. During WWI, Guiterman Bros. produced flying coats for US aviators. In 1928-1929, the company was purchased by Gordon and Ferguson.

 

[resortes805]

Very cool. I love how 'automobiling' is right up there with other fun things to do outdoors

 

[Dinerman]

Here are some shots out of a catalog of theirs from 1915, showing prices and specs.

 

[Dinerman]

Here is one of their products in the flesh. I just got this M1206 (see catalog above) from the 1910s.

 

[Dinerman]

More of the vest


1928. Coat style leather blouse. One of the first uses of the term "windbreaker".


1928. Cashing in on the Lindbergh craze.

 

[sw709]

Just some absolutely fantastic research here! And the styles....good lord! If only someone would start to reintroduce some of these garments. The only people I've seen doing anything like this recently is Freewheelers in Japan.

Thanks Dinerman.

 

[tmitchell59]

Town and Country c.1936

Guiterman was around in the late 40s, they had many ads in the 20s. They may have made for catalogs too.

Jacket now owned by an astute collector.

 

[jeo]

Thanks Terry. It has delicate leather which I’m assuming is ponyhide. An old Talon and very unique cuff setup. Despite the staining on the leather it’s actually in really good shape for being this old. It’s a women’s jacket too as you can see how the cut flares out from mid section to waist. You can tell this was “high end” in its day. Very nice piece of history.