Langlitz Cascade 50 years + OLD.

[sweetfights]

Technovox bid and won this jacket but it did not fit and he was generous in passing it on to me.
A true Grail jacket.
Had to have jacket relined and replace the main zipper (shipped from Langlitz).
Everything else is original with the suggested date of manufacture, according to Scott at Langlitz, 1950's-60's.

The leather smells awesome. I did put it through a gentle wash cycle to get rid of over 50 years of non-leather odors. Success!
The leather may or may not be horsehide. But to me, I would guess horse.
The leather is soft but durable. The patina, fantastic.
Finding a grail that fits is wonderful.

 

[JMax]

I'm trying not to drool on my keyboard.

 

[leolou]

It’s a dream !is it your size[emoji6]


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[Monitor]

That is nice already. That is really, really nice. I think it's HH. I know that's how their really old HH would age & fade so it's gotta be it but whatever it is, cow or horse, it's fantastic.

 

[sweetfights]

That is nice already. That is really, really nice. I think it's HH. I know that's how their really old HH would age & fade so it's gotta be it but whatever it is, cow or horse, it's fantastic.

I know what you mean about the old horsehide.
My guess too.

 

[Colin G]

Amazing jacket sweetfights. I'd say that Langlitz is a slam dunk!

 

[sweetfights]

What is amazing to me is that the leather with unknown history of conditioning (had to have had some over the years) can look so good after so long. A testimony to well tanned quality leather. Especially the padding being in such good condition.


I think I have finally figured out the correct photo perspective on this damn iPhone !!!

 

[sweetfights]

After a gentle wash cycle with detergent and a three day room temperature drying (I did use fans), I conditioned with Langlitz conditioner.

 

[Davidm]

fml. speechless. omg. i mean. well.. u got the idea congrats!

 

[navetsea]

the leather and the whole jacket have aged gracefully there, by how the upper back sunfaded and sleeve probably it has been used to ride too. the aero hanger probably fit aero jackets better than this and your goodwear, the shoulder part seem shrugging from lack of support

 

[ton312]

It’s jackets like these that make me laugh at the tea core experiment. This kind of patina can only be achieved in one way. What a piece of leather that is. Now. To the fit pics please.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Hmm, I think that is going to be way too big for you and you should post up the measurements so I can confirm it fits me perfectly Awesome pickup on that one.

And congrats on the huge huevos for putting that through the wash!! I thought I had big balls for tossing a Vanson in the gentle wash cycle but I'd never gamble on that vintage padded Cascade.

 

[technovox]

Just as beautiful as I remember it! That was going to be my grail jacket...but sadly, after putting it on, I knew within moments the jacket was too big.

I'm glad to see it go to a good home and all the lovely restoration you're doing. One could buy a brand new one from Langlitz, and wear it for half a century, and still not have it turn out as beautiful looking as this one.
Enjoy!

PS- Let's see some fit photos!

 

[JMax]

After a gentle wash cycle with detergent and a three day room temperature drying (I did use fans), I conditioned with Langlitz conditioner.

Would you elaborate? Cold? How long? Which detergent? For future reference. Thanks.

 

[sweetfights]

My pleasure.
Because there was some underarm odor at the armpit in the liner I used Natures Miracle natural enzyme liquid as my first step saturating the armpit area.
After about 15 minutes I used tide liquid detergent on a gentle cycle, tap cold water. I believe the cycle lasted 40 minutes.
I had the jacket by itself in the washer- a front loader.
After the cycle completed I laid the jacket flat on towels (that I changed 4 times over the three days) and sprayed additional Natures Miracle on the armpit area.
I placed three fans on the jacket at room temperature and turned the jacket about 8-10 times over the course of three days until I was sure the jacket was fully dry. I then rubbed Langlitz leather dressing over the entire jacket with my hands, working the dressing into every nook and cranny. I left the jacket overnight then buffed the entire jacket with a microfiber cloth. The buffing brought back the sheen that was present when I received the jacket.
I then brought the jacket to a seamstress to have the entire lining replaced. After the relining, the jacket smelled of glorious leather and has remained smelling fantastic. I then had the main zipper replaced with a Talon #10 from Langlitz.
I knew I was taking a chance with the washing machine but the jacket was robust enough to survive and thrive and came out clean. There was no way I would have been satisfied with any degree of stink from my jackets previous life.

 

[sweetfights]

Just as beautiful as I remember it! That was going to be my grail jacket...but sadly, after putting it on, I knew within moments the jacket was too big.

I'm glad to see it go to a good home and all the lovely restoration you're doing. One could buy a brand new one from Langlitz, and wear it for half a century, and still not have it turn out as beautiful looking as this one.
Enjoy!

PS- Let's see some fit photos!

Thank you again for your generous willingness to let me have this jacket. So greatly appreciated. It is nice to see these jackets stay within our little community. Fit pics coming!!

 

[Guppy]

My pleasure.
Because there was some underarm odor at the armpit in the liner I used Natures Miracle natural enzyme liquid as my first step saturating the armpit area.
After about 15 minutes I used tide liquid detergent on a gentle cycle, tap cold water. I believe the cycle lasted 40 minutes.
I had the jacket by itself in the washer- a front loader.
After the cycle completed I laid the jacket flat on towels (that I changed 4 times over the three days) and sprayed additional Natures Miracle on the armpit area.
I placed three fans on the jacket at room temperature and turned the jacket about 8-10 times over the course of three days until I was sure the jacket was fully dry. I then rubbed Langlitz leather dressing over the entire jacket with my hands, working the dressing into every nook and cranny. I left the jacket overnight then buffed the entire jacket with a microfiber cloth. The buffing brought back the sheen that was present when I received the jacket.
I then brought the jacket to a seamstress to have the entire lining replaced. After the relining, the jacket smelled of glorious leather and has remained smelling fantastic. I then had the main zipper replaced with a Talon #10 from Langlitz.
I knew I was taking a chance with the washing machine but the jacket was robust enough to survive and thrive and came out clean. There was no way I would have been satisfied with any degree of stink from my jackets previous life.

Did you ask Langlitz for any advice on how to clean or treat it before you did it, or did you just do it?

 

[sweetfights]

Did you ask Langlitz for any advice on how to clean or treat it before you did it, or did you just do it?

I did ask for advice and suggestions on issues with the jacket but ultimately I had to live with the consequences and simply had to wash it. Thankfully there were no consequences other than a clean awesome smelling leather jacket. There would have been no joy for me in wearing a smelly jacket. A must!

 

[JMax]

Thanks for the info.

No issues with loosening of 60+ year old stitching? That would be my greatest fear.

 

[sweetfights]

Thanks for the info.

No issues with loosening of 60+ year old stitching? That would be my greatest fear.

Amazingly, because at some point this was certainly conditioned the threads are largely intact.
That really speaks to the importance of not allowing our leather jackets to become too dry ever- especially where the stitching is concerned.