Horsehide Jacket leather weight question

[Michael719]

I apologize if this topic has been covered in another thread.

but here it goes....

I have bought several horsehide leather vintage jackets off of ebay all about the same measurements.

One Windward from the 50s is super heavy and nice and stiff. Awesome jacket, I love it. Two I have ordered are much lighter and the horsehide is not nearly as stiff. The stitches that hold the label in place appear to be original and not added after the fact. The jacket is legitimately marked horsehide from the manufacturer...the second jacket, was represented as horsehide , but there is no factory tag.

My question is whether there are different grades of horsehide with some being more pliable and lighter weight?

thanks

 

[majormajor]

Hi Michael

There are lots of threads on this. Here's one:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?38817-What-is-the-ounce-weight-of-the-FQHH-Aero-uses&

The easiest way to find them is to use Google, and look for links to FL pages.

Welcome to the forum

 

[P5640blouson]

Even within the same jacket, there will be differences in the hide from panel to panel. You have to handle the one you are getting to be sure. That sounds pretty impossible, I know, but it is what it is, leather is a natural material and will have differences even within the same jacket. When the differences complement its appearance and function, then you have a real winner. Heavily top coated hides hide these differences initially, but once worn in will show all of those differences in detail. To me this is wonderful as it shows how each garment is truly one of a kind.

 

[paulgt3]

Michael, a horse, a cow, a goat, sheep and even you are biological specimens. No two of anything are the
same. Even on your own skin you get callouses right? Your skin gets thicker at some points than others.
There are variations on the very same hide.
I have a USAuthentic A2 that is VERY heavy. I have a couple Goodwears that are not that heavy.
Thickness isnt a representation of quality. Although too thin can be a problem.
But you can even order different thicknesses from different makers or tanneries. As others have
said thicknesses can be all over the place even on the same jacket. Ordering off Ebay is the last
thing you want to do if you want a certain thickness. The most you can hope to do is get a pattern
that you like maybe from the same maker if its a repro. Again some people dont like REAL THCK
horsehide. They say it takes too long to break in, and its not comfortable. So dont let that be
your yardstick.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Older horse jackets were often 2.5 oz which is lighter and thinner than the 3oz you can also find in vintage and is so commonly used by Aero today.

 

[Asienizen]

I agree with Paul. I have a US Authentic A2, which is quite thick and heavy - and sometimes wearing it can be a bit fatiguing after a long time. There's a big hoopla over "tough thick manly jackets" but if it's so thick you don't want to wear it - what's the point? So my next jacket was a medium grade leather which was more comfortable, but still tough. If you have the choice, go for the medium thickness I'd say.
And remember, if you get a set of swatches, the piece that feels thick enough in your hand, may actually be too thick once it's made into a full jacket - as I discovered.

 

[Michael719]

^Excellent information, thanks all of you. Also, the thread link helped as well. Great information all round.

And with that being said, I think I have a vintage jacket I need to put in the classified section. It is heavy (4lbs 8oz) but sleeves too short and trunk too tight.