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Help Dating 1930's-ish Hercules Half Belt

m.a.g.vintage

New in Town
Messages
7
Hello good people! I have just purchased this jacket for myself and was wondering if someone could help me with dating this piece? Seems to have remnants of the "Giant Label" that has been torn from years of wear, and maybe a replaced zipper from a later year? Have been scouring the internet for catalog pictures and old photos to no avail other than button front mackinaw styles from seemingly the same era. Educate me please!

Thanks in advance!!
 

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photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,362
Location
claremont california
Hello good people! I have just purchased this jacket for myself and was wondering if someone could help me with dating this piece? Seems to have remnants of the "Giant Label" that has been torn from years of wear, and maybe a replaced zipper from a later year? Have been scouring the internet for catalog pictures and old photos to no avail other than button front mackinaw styles from seemingly the same era. Educate me please!

Thanks in advance!!
Just my view. The jacket looks mid 50s. The zipper could tell a big story if it is original to the jacket. If you can, please post images of front and back of zipper slider and box. An Image of the front of the zipper's pull will also help.
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,750
Location
Illinois
Hello good people! I have just purchased this jacket for myself and was wondering if someone could help me with dating this piece? Seems to have remnants of the "Giant Label" that has been torn from years of wear, and maybe a replaced zipper from a later year? Have been scouring the internet for catalog pictures and old photos to no avail other than button front mackinaw styles from seemingly the same era. Educate me please!

Thanks in advance!!

Here is your jacket in the 1940 Sears catalog. Advertised as 29 inches long, there is another model that is 27 long. The upper pockets are a bit of a hold over from the longer heavier wool jackets of the era. I see part of the label that also reminds me of the Giant label. This label was still in use, but usually located in a different location.

The zipper pull is 1950s, so a changed zipper.


1727973760129.jpeg
 

m.a.g.vintage

New in Town
Messages
7
Just my view. The jacket looks mid 50s. The zipper could tell a big story if it is original to the jacket. If you can, please post images of front and back of zipper slider and box. An Image of the front of the zipper's pull will also help.

Here is your jacket in the 1940 Sears catalog. Advertised as 29 inches long, there is another model that is 27 long. The upper pockets are a bit of a hold over from the longer heavier wool jackets of the era. I see part of the label that also reminds me of the Giant label. This label was still in use, but usually located in a different location.

The zipper pull is 1950s, so a changed zipper.


View attachment 644342

Here is your jacket in the 1940 Sears catalog. Advertised as 29 inches long, there is another model that is 27 long. The upper pockets are a bit of a hold over from the longer heavier wool jackets of the era. I see part of the label that also reminds me of the Giant label. This label was still in use, but usually located in a different location.

The zipper pull is 1950s, so a changed zipper.


View attachment 644342
thank you so much!!! if the zipper has any issues I may replace with a old stock period accurate one just for fun (if i can find one lol).
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,362
Location
claremont california
If the zipper has some mechanical uses. Use a pencil to clean it well. Remove all the dirt and gunk. Then after cleaning it with the pencil, go over it again making sure you rub all that lead in to the metal parts.
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,750
Location
Illinois
thank you so much!!! if the zipper has any issues I may replace with a old stock period accurate one just for fun (if i can find one lol).
I have a collection of wool jackets and don't worry about the original zipper. This jacket could well have a Sunrise Talon zipper as original. These are hard to find. You know it is from the early 40s.

I have a similar jacket. If you follow the below link to my youtube channel I recently did 2 videos examining Wool jackets from this era.
 

m.a.g.vintage

New in Town
Messages
7
If the zipper has some mechanical uses. Use a pencil to clean it well. Remove all the dirt and gunk. Then after cleaning it with the pencil, go over it again making sure you rub all that lead in to the metal parts.
thank you! Another jacket I have needs some zipper help so I'll try that on that one too
 

tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,750
Location
Illinois
They don't make those heavy 33 oz. mackinaws anymore, and the fabric is no longer available. I have one in a 32 oz. I will never sell. I don't remember now, but I think it is a 1960s model. A warm and comfortable coat.
Interesting how the Wool jackets are advertised by weight. I can feel the difference when handling them. The heaviest I assume are the 33 ounce and they are stiff. I don't have a opportunity to handle new wool jackets, but hard to imagine they are the quality of this wool.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,463
Location
South of Nashville
Interesting how the Wool jackets are advertised by weight. I can feel the difference when handling them. The heaviest I assume are the 33 ounce and they are stiff. I don't have a opportunity to handle new wool jackets, but hard to imagine they are the quality of this wool.
The new mackinaws are something like 24 oz. I have a jacket and a vest in this weight, and the jacket is more like a heavy shirt. Not suitable for cold weather.
 

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