Someone in the Vintage Leather Forum suggest suggested that I post this in this threat as it deals with more civy jackets
This was my late father's coat . He was born in 1918 and served in the Canadian Army during WW2 driving a bike and running messages ---coat is not war related . I think he owned the coat either before or after the war ie late 30,s or early 40,s . It may have been already used when it came into his hands . The only story I can remember him telling about the coat was him wearing it while unloading concrete blocks , thus the wear on the front . I wore the coat a bit as a teanage as the coat is quite small ---40?. I am now 73 so its been a very long time since it fit me .Its condition at that time is as you see it now well worn . Some measurements are pit to pit is 20.5, shoulder 17.5 back length 22.5 and sleeve length 22.
I have been researching it for a while now and have made my way through all the post in the vintage forum , Fedora , various sale sites with limited luck . I did find one post on the Fedora site by Rabbit on Feb 12022, link https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/niks-vintage-1930s-leather-jacket-sale-size-36-38.106824/ Looks to be the same coat shown on thread 60 by Andreart under "Very cool horsehide coat" on Feb 17 2013 . Rabbet said he believed that his coat was made by Durable , but found limited company info . I did finally get some info on the Durable jacket brand researching this forum . It appears to have been potentially two companies , one in the US and the other in Ontario Canada , may or may not be related . The various Pony Durable jackets do appear similar enough to my jacket to give me the feeling that my coat may have been made by Durable . Also they had the FLASH zipper on some of the jackets so this is a bit more proof.
Based on my research it looks like a half belt design with a sunburst back . The sunburst appears to have been created by sewing darts in and not pieces . It has no label nor any identifying labels anywhere. The main zipper has the word FLASH front and back on the pull and USA . The small zipper has no markings and appears to be a coil design ? Lots of research has turned up limited information on the zipper or coat except as noted above . The D rings on the side pulls have no info on them . Lining is a red plaid with a dark blue in the sleeves. Cuffs once had buttons , but long gone and now sewn closed .
The overall patina on the coat is undescribable --its just plain beautiful and the back is like a work of art . Trying to document it and would like to pass it down , but my wife wants to get rid of old stuff so I hide when she is in this mood and my son is not into things like this . I love the back and may find a way to mount it on the wall in my office to enjoy as it does bring joy looking at it .
So I was hoping all the wise minds on the site may help me better understand the coat , its age , make, style and type of leather . Wished I had asked more questions when dad was around but that is life .
Thank you
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This was my late father's coat . He was born in 1918 and served in the Canadian Army during WW2 driving a bike and running messages ---coat is not war related . I think he owned the coat either before or after the war ie late 30,s or early 40,s . It may have been already used when it came into his hands . The only story I can remember him telling about the coat was him wearing it while unloading concrete blocks , thus the wear on the front . I wore the coat a bit as a teanage as the coat is quite small ---40?. I am now 73 so its been a very long time since it fit me .Its condition at that time is as you see it now well worn . Some measurements are pit to pit is 20.5, shoulder 17.5 back length 22.5 and sleeve length 22.
I have been researching it for a while now and have made my way through all the post in the vintage forum , Fedora , various sale sites with limited luck . I did find one post on the Fedora site by Rabbit on Feb 12022, link https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/niks-vintage-1930s-leather-jacket-sale-size-36-38.106824/ Looks to be the same coat shown on thread 60 by Andreart under "Very cool horsehide coat" on Feb 17 2013 . Rabbet said he believed that his coat was made by Durable , but found limited company info . I did finally get some info on the Durable jacket brand researching this forum . It appears to have been potentially two companies , one in the US and the other in Ontario Canada , may or may not be related . The various Pony Durable jackets do appear similar enough to my jacket to give me the feeling that my coat may have been made by Durable . Also they had the FLASH zipper on some of the jackets so this is a bit more proof.
Based on my research it looks like a half belt design with a sunburst back . The sunburst appears to have been created by sewing darts in and not pieces . It has no label nor any identifying labels anywhere. The main zipper has the word FLASH front and back on the pull and USA . The small zipper has no markings and appears to be a coil design ? Lots of research has turned up limited information on the zipper or coat except as noted above . The D rings on the side pulls have no info on them . Lining is a red plaid with a dark blue in the sleeves. Cuffs once had buttons , but long gone and now sewn closed .
The overall patina on the coat is undescribable --its just plain beautiful and the back is like a work of art . Trying to document it and would like to pass it down , but my wife wants to get rid of old stuff so I hide when she is in this mood and my son is not into things like this . I love the back and may find a way to mount it on the wall in my office to enjoy as it does bring joy looking at it .
So I was hoping all the wise minds on the site may help me better understand the coat , its age , make, style and type of leather . Wished I had asked more questions when dad was around but that is life .
Thank you
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