Leather Police Jackets

[Doctor Damage]

Branded Leather's NYPD motorcycle jackets.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Taylor's custom made cop jacket (not mine).

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's another jacket, same design as the Taylor's above, this one by B.I.E. Custom Leather, Kiel, Wisconsin. Looks like a tip-top jacket.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's another French sapeurs pompiers coat in leather. It doesn't really fit into this thread, but I've posted it since the way the shoulders are constructed is fascinating - take a close look.

 

[Tefouane]

My schott©LC BOSTON. Only available for EU customers. Made in Cowhide with removable inside Tinsulate© vest. Love it.

 

[Doctor Damage]

German police motorcycle jacket and pants. Not sure of the age, but I believe 1980s based on photos I've seen. Looks like great quality gear.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Edward]

German police motorcycle jacket and pants. Not sure of the age, but I believe 1980s based on photos I've seen. Looks like great quality gear.

Yes, West German police... I remember seeing some of this stuff in a surplus tore the first time I was in Berlin, in 1999, so I think this particular version of it had maybe filtered out of use by that point. The overall style certainly looks eighties. Not a million miles away from some of the coloured style leathers Lewis introduced in the 70s, as the British motorcycle boom began to fade out. Post-war, the new police force in West Germany and West Berlin wore green, and this didn't change right up until 2002. Police in east Germany were reorganised and uniformed along the Western model upon reunification in 1990. The green uniforms were done away with in 2002, when Germany opted to dress its police in blue, along with international convention that this is the 'normal' colour for police. Not sure exactly when the green leathers in that exact style went out, though they definitely have a very eighties look to them.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Although I've never been to Germany, I've seen lots of photos etc, and I really liked the green West German police uniforms and the overall "civilian" vibe they gave off. The new blue or black gear makes them look like American SWAT team cops, which may not be a good image. I find the general trend towards the militarization of police in North America and the West disturbing, since it has shades of... well, you know what I mean. Police are civilians, full stop, and should dress and act like they are members of the community, which means dressing for respect not fear. Anyways, I remember seeing many photos of the Wall coming down, DDR Border Guards in teardrop camos standing on the Wall, with West Berlin police in those peaked hats with star badges and green nylon parkas standing along the base of the Wall. If it was happening today the West Berlin police would have been wearing black combat uniforms with gasmasks and riot shields and batons, and the whole event would have had a lot more tension and might not have gone so peacefully and pleasantly as it did. /rant

 

[Doctor Damage]

Yes, West German police... I remember seeing some of this stuff in a surplus tore the first time I was in Berlin, in 1999, so I think this particular version of it had maybe filtered out of use by that point. The overall style certainly looks eighties. Not a million miles away from some of the coloured style leathers Lewis introduced in the 70s, as the British motorcycle boom began to fade out. ... Not sure exactly when the green leathers in that exact style went out, though they definitely have a very eighties look to them.

I took another close look at those green leathers and the quality of the leather and construction appear to be excellent. I can't imagine what they would cost brand new in today's market where the price of leather and manufacturing is a lot more expensive than the 1980s!

 

[Edward]

^ Although I've never been to Germany, I've seen lots of photos etc, and I really liked the green West German police uniforms and the overall "civilian" vibe they gave off.

It's interesting how perspectives vary internationally; while I think most European air forces are dressed in blue (for dress, though combat is, I belive, mostly green, for obvious reasons), it's just not a colour that is automatically considered 'military' here. The police in Britain have been wearing blue since their inception (long before the RFC / RAF); in the other part of the UK, Northern Ireland, the police wear the same black-green as they have done for a very long time indeed, though policing there has always been a very different animal for all sorts of reasons. Green would be primarily thought of as a "military" colour across Europe, though the particular shade formerly worn by the German police certainly isn't 'combat' style...

I took another close look at those green leathers and the quality of the leather and construction appear to be excellent. I can't imagine what they would cost brand new in today's market where the price of leather and manufacturing is a lot more expensive than the 1980s!

With the like of BKS, you're currently looking at around GBP1500 for a custom made, two-piece racing suit. For something off the peg, you can pick up a modern-style jacket and trousers of a good quality from a bike warehouse place in the UK for about GBP500. I'd say there's a fair chance you're looking at these being towards the higher end (though economies of sale I'm sure helped the German government get a decent price). It would be interesting to know where they were made. I don't know if Germany would have required them to be Germany made. I know back in Northern Ireland, police caps are now made from UK components, but sent to the Czech Republic to be assembled, becuase that works out cheaper in the long run, and budget is important.

 

[Doctor Damage]

It's interesting how perspectives vary internationally; while I think most European air forces are dressed in blue (for dress, though combat is, I belive, mostly green, for obvious reasons), it's just not a colour that is automatically considered 'military' here. The police in Britain have been wearing blue since their inception (long before the RFC / RAF); in the other part of the UK, Northern Ireland, the police wear the same black-green as they have done for a very long time indeed, though policing there has always been a very different animal for all sorts of reasons. Green would be primarily thought of as a "military" colour across Europe, though the particular shade formerly worn by the German police certainly isn't 'combat' style...

 

[Monitor]

lol The tallest lady has four buttons on her uniform coat.

 

[pawineguy]

lol The tallest lady has four buttons on her uniform coat.

She's actually wearing the "men's" coat. See the man in the background and the lapels on his coat compared to the rest of the ladies.

 

[Dinerman]

It buttons right over left, the way women's jackets do.

 

[Monitor]

lol You guys are right! I didn't notice the inverted lapels and the buttons. The whole coat is too long. She's drop dead gorgeous, shame they couldn't make her a proper uniform.

 

[technovox]

Just scored this vintage Cal Leathers police jacket a few days ago...it was hidden in the back rack of a second hand leather store.
I'm really starting to dig these old Cal Leathers of Ventura jackets...the quality of the leather is just amazing.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Very nice, technovox, and I agree. I think several major brands had better leather back then. Even Schott's leather during the early-mid '70s seemed of a different breed to me.
Congrats on the recent find.
HD

 

[pawineguy]

Just scored this vintage Cal Leathers police jacket a few days ago...it was hidden in the back rack of a second hand leather store.
I'm really starting to dig these old Cal Leathers of Ventura jackets...the quality of the leather is just amazing.

Another great find for you. Their older jackets really do seem to age beautifully. I'm in the midst of a new build with them and am hopeful they have leather somewhere in the same range as their older jackets.

 

[technovox]

Another great find for you. Their older jackets really do seem to age beautifully. I'm in the midst of a new build with them and am hopeful they have leather somewhere in the same range as their older jackets.

I'd love to see pics of your Cal jacket when it's finished. Did you go with one of their Police style CHP jackets?
Honestly, I don't know much about Cal Leathers, but I'll be passing by their store in Ventura at the end of the month, and I plan to stop in and try on some jackets and educate myself a little more.