Is this an aero leather jacket?

[Webafile]

So as my search for a used Aero leather jacket continues I found a jacket that seems to have me confused.

The seller said that he bought it about 10 years ago but it does not have the Aero leather tag but a G.S.M. served in England tag. The strange part is that it has a Aero zipper (if that is even a thing)

Looks like a half belt in horsehide but just want some input..

 

[Guppy]

Well, I can't say, but if it's not it looks the part enough for me. If it is, it's probably early. They used to be the Transatlantic Company, and have used many different labels over the years, but I've never seen that one before.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Aero jackets are not made in England.

 

[Webafile]

Aero jackets are not made in England.

Yes I know that they are made in Scotland. That's why I'm confused.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

The outside looks very Aero-esque. Everything else screams copy.

 

[Harris HTM]

I strongly suspect that this is not an Aero. Except for the obvious facts (labels, made in England, tabs, etc) I also see a hanging loop above the tab. The fact that the zipper is Aero stamped means nothing, if I am not mistaken there used to be a company named Aero making zippers and sewing needles. It seems a nice jacket though.

 

[Webafile]

I strongly suspect that this is not an Aero. Except for the obvious facts (labels, made in England, tabs, etc) I also see a hanging loop above the tab. The fact that the zipper is Aero stamped means nothing, if I am not mistaken there used to be a company named Aero making zippers and sewing needles. It seems a nice jacket though.

The plot thickens, when I asked for another photo of the zipper he sent me photo but this time it's ykk zipper with an attachment on it. He said must have confused the photo during upload

 

[Downunder G Man]

If I am not mistaken did not Aero leather actually start out in England originally prior to a relocation to Scotland ?

I have 100% seen an early Highwayman style made in England by Transatlantic company.

 

[Harris HTM]

If I am not mistaken did not Aero leather actually start out in England originally prior to a relocation to Scotland ?

I have 100% seen an early Highwayman style made in England by Transatlantic company.

Maybe you have a point there. If you look at the last photo (of the zipper) the OP sent, the way the lining is sewn into the leather rim is really Aero-ish. Could it be a really early collaboration?

 

[nick123]

The plot thickens, when I asked for another photo of the zipper he sent me photo but this time it's ykk zipper with an attachment on it. He said must have confused the photo during upload

Red flag. I actually think he uploaded pics of two different jackets. The rear photo is certainly 95% a legit Aero; the others seem to be a different maker (perhaps).

 

[ton312]

I don’t believe that is an Aero.

 

[Dav]

I assume the last pic is a zip from these guys
https://www.kushitanimobileshop.com/
Could be a replacement I suppose but the jacket doesn't look worn enough to need it.
I don't think it's an Aero.

 

[Webafile]

The

I assume the last pic is a zip from these guys
https://www.kushitanimobileshop.com/
Could be a replacement I suppose but the jacket doesn't look worn enough to need it.
I don't think it's an Aero.

The jacket is supposed to be 10 years old now so was wondering if lining might have been replaced. Also got a few more pictures. The last tag which seems to have been ripped on the left side makes me think it has been repaired.

 

[Downunder G Man]

I do have a replacement YKK zipper in an Eastman Luftwaffe , been in for 25+ years.
Replaced in the UK at the time.

My younger Eastman Luftwaffe shit the RIRI size M8 zipper at a young age so it can happen.
(As it happens I was able to fix that M8 RIRI so it is still in there but I am SUPER careful using it)
What I mean is a young/barely worn Aero jacket could well have a YKK zipper.

 

[Downunder G Man]

Aero moved to Scotland very late 80's early 90's (?) so a "Made in England" jacket cannot be 10 years old.

That's my understandings of the history

 

[Mich486]

Probably not an Aero. The decision factor for me would be the price. I wouldn’t pay more than $200 for that jacket.

 

[Dav]

Yeah Aero weren't in England 10 years ago.

 

[Webafile]

Probably not an Aero. The decision factor for me would be the price. I wouldn’t pay more than $200 for that jacket.

Well it's around the $200 Mark so I'm seriously considering it but then again it would take away from my aero leather budget and if the size does not fit well going to be hard to sell a unknown brand jacket.

 

[Webafile]

So another update from my own searching. Looks like G.S.M is/was a company in England called game set and match. At least I think it is according to the following eBay listing that was selling a gsm jacket. And not being able to find any more information, I guess now it's time to update the title and keep on searching.

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...y=57988&pm=1&ds=0&t=1589894090948&cspheader=1

 

[Edward]

Someone claiming this to be an Aero would ring alarm bells for me. Many years ago, SAm Walker in London stocked Aeros, then started carrying a line of (not quite as well made) jackets in matching designs labelled Sam Walker. The claim has long been they were re-badged Aeros, but Aero refute that they ever sold jackets labelled SW to SW. Ken has said it's possible some were relabelled, though many were clearly cheaper copies of Aeros. I believe Aero stoppe selling to them over that (I would have too).

The jacket in the photos doesn't strike me as an Aero or rebadged Aero; it has more to my eye the look of jackets made by the likes of Aviation Leathercraft or Cirrus, more "vintage inspired for the Morgan-owning set".

The fact that the zipper is Aero stamped means nothing, if I am not mistaken there used to be a company named Aero making zippers and sewing needles. It seems a nice jacket though.

Looks like this one really has a YKK (which Aero have never used, thougth obvs it could be a retrofit), but yes, Many 60s and 70s British jackets from brands like Mascot carried zips branded "Aero", usually with a rectangular or coffin-shaped pull.

If I am not mistaken did not Aero leather actually start out in England originally prior to a relocation to Scotland ?

I have 100% seen an early Highwayman style made in England by Transatlantic company.

The first Aero civilian design was the very first HWM, made in 1983. Before that Ken had madea few A2s, but there wasn't much of a market for them in those days as originals could be bought for less than a new one. The Calders relocated to Scotland in the late 80s to run a B&B, with Ken making the odd jacket on "quiet afternoons" being the intent. Word got around about the jackets, however, and that took off to the point where they made the decision to drop the B&B and go into the jackets full time. The rest is,as they say, history.

It would be interesting to get Denny and Holly's take on this, but if I were a betting man I'd put money on it not being from Aero.