Leather Police Jackets

[jonbuilder]

View attachment 288685
I grew up in Brooklyn and during the 1970’s & 80’s I remember seeing New York’s Finest wearing their leather jackets.

Those two look badass

 

[Kubatu]

Well, the Miklos Sas NYPD jacket is going back. The seller gave me measurements of 24" for the sleeves, but they were more like 22.5". It's a shame because apart from cuff damages, the jacket was solid. Very sturdy leather with nice graining. If anyone happens across one that is around size 38, feel free to give me a heads up. There are a number listed on ebay now, but smaller sizes seem to be a bit scarce.

I was curious what the point of the snaps at the sides of the jacket were. I thought it was going to be something like a side adjuster, but it didn't seem to actually change the fit - it just made the corners look very blocky and square. Then it would unsnap whenever I made a movement in the jacket, like reaching for something. So, not really sure what the purpose for those are. In the picture that Thor provided of them being worn, they aren't snapped up either.

 

[Boyo]

I was curious what the point of the snaps at the sides of the jacket were. I thought it was going to be something like a side adjuster, but it didn't seem to actually change the fit - it just made the corners look very blocky and square. Then it would unsnap whenever I made a movement in the jacket, like reaching for something. So, not really sure what the purpose for those are. In the picture that Thor provided of them being worn, they aren't snapped up either.

The side snaps allow for access to the sidearm, the snaps are affixed behind the holster.. although most guys left them undone

 

[Kubatu]

The side snaps allow for access to the sidearm, the snaps are affixed behind the holster.. although most guys left them undone

Thanks! I figured it had some sort of purpose for police equipment or something along those lines.

 

[Fifty150]

side snaps allow for access to the sidearm

Most uniform jackets have a slit along the side seam, or a zipper, with snaps at the hem line.

 

[Fifty150]

 

[JMax]

 

[Fifty150]

Believe it or not, some people prefer not to attach the gun belt to the jacket. My jacket is cut just a little shorter in the torso. I simply take my jacket off whenever I want, without having to unsnap all the belt keepers and remove the gun belt first. I went to the jacket maker with my gun belt on. Then tried on a jacket. They marked off where my belt was as I was sitting. Then produced my jacket to that length.

 

[Kubatu]

Here's a recent pickup that's on the way now. Anyone familiar with what this brand might be? Seller purchased it from a Oakland police shop when he was on the force. Will try to get better pictures from it arrives.

 

[Doctor Damage]

France 1972

 

[JMax]

Here's a recent pickup that's on the way now. Anyone familiar with what this brand might be? Seller purchased it from a Oakland police shop when he was on the force. Will try to get better pictures from it arrives.

How did this one treat ya? What’s the back look like? Thanks

 

[Kubatu]

How did this one treat ya? What’s the back look like? Thanks

It's a really sturdy jacket. Heavier than my own Cal. The seller told me he wore it while assigned to motors, and there are definitely some signs of wear. Some small holes in the lining, wear to the leather (nothing outside of normal use, though), and part of the sleeve "inside" cuff has become loose. The shearling collar is great, but somehow it took off one of the middle collar attachments originally on the jacket. Still fits on normally though.

I also have a sister jacket on the way now. Nicer condition. This one is actually labeled "Al's Leather" in Ventura, CA. Another poster indicated these jackets were made by Cal for other companies, much like the Leatherman label.

Neither are for me though! I'm planning to list them on ebay soon...ish. I stopped listing items after ebay transitioned their payment process earlier this year, but now I've amassed a pretty large amount of various jackets that will be resold. Always open to dealing through the lounge though if these catch anyone's eye.

 

[JMax]

Awesome jacket. Beautiful. The Leatherman I have is amazing. Should not be a hard sale for you. Too small for me right? Is the sale a matter of just enjoying the older Cals more? You’ve got a beautiful vintage one for sure.

I’m pretty sure Al’s leather was Al’s Leather, and separate from Cal. Maybe there was a former relationship between the two? Like there was between Langlitz and Classic. No matter if I’m right or wrong, it’s an awesome jacket. Different feel than Leatherman gear. I sold mine only because of fit.

 

[Kubatu]

Awesome jacket. Beautiful. The Leatherman I have is amazing. Should not be a hard sale for you. Too small for me right? Is the sale a matter of just enjoying the older Cals more? You’ve got a beautiful vintage one for sure.

I’m pretty sure Al’s leather was Al’s Leather, and separate from Cal. Maybe there was a former relationship between the two? Like there was between Langlitz and Classic. No matter if I’m right or wrong, it’s an awesome jacket. Different feel than Leatherman gear. I sold mine only because of fit.

The pit to pit is around 23.5 to 23.75. I'm not sure what size you are, so feel free to reach out if that measurement could work. The older Cal definitely has a lot more grain to it, but these jackets (whoever made them) seem heavier and more substantial, if that makes sense. Kind of like the difference we talked about awhile back about old grainy Cal Leather hides and newer Cal Leather hides, which were more like the leather used for LW jackets.

This one was sold as a "medium", so I suspected it probably would be too large. Although I would have probably kept it had it fit. There doesn't seem to be much logic in having multiple CHP style jackets, especially if they're all by the same maker....but I still feel like I want to buy another Cal, haha.

I flip a fair amount of jackets from time to time, so that's my main motivation for moving on from this one. I'm usually open to deal here, but I don't like advertising the jackets I've bought explicitly for the sake of reselling, just because it doesn't always seem to fit with the spirit of the forum. I do try to share some of the better deals if I know it's something someone has been looking for. It's been funny seeing some of my listings pop up on the finds and deals thread though.

 

[JMax]

The pit to pit is around 23.5 to 23.75. I'm not sure what size you are, so feel free to reach out if that measurement could work. The older Cal definitely has a lot more grain to it, but these jackets (whoever made them) seem heavier and more substantial, if that makes sense. Kind of like the difference we talked about awhile back about old grainy Cal Leather hides and newer Cal Leather hides, which were more like the leather used for LW jackets.

This one was sold as a "medium", so I suspected it probably would be too large. Although I would have probably kept it had it fit. There doesn't seem to be much logic in having multiple CHP style jackets, especially if they're all by the same maker....but I still feel like I want to buy another Cal, haha.

I flip a fair amount of jackets from time to time, so that's my main motivation for moving on from this one. I'm usually open to deal here, but I don't like advertising the jackets I've bought explicitly for the sake of reselling, just because it doesn't always seem to fit with the spirit of the forum. I do try to share some of the better deals if I know it's something someone has been looking for. It's been funny seeing some of my listings pop up on the finds and deals thread though.

Well well, I just PM'd you. It just may work for little ol' me. Thanks. One can never have too many Cals.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Just noticed there are some bargain jackets available at Taylor's:

Jackets under $99 | Taylor's Leatherwear – Taylor's Leatherwear, Inc. (taylorsleatherwear.com)

 

[Cornelius]

Just noticed there are some bargain jackets available at Taylor's:

Jackets under $99 | Taylor's Leatherwear – Taylor's Leatherwear, Inc. (taylorsleatherwear.com)

Woah! I feel like someone should tag @Monitor in on this sale

 

[Monitor]

Woah! I feel like someone should tag @Monitor in on this sale

This is all 3x the price for me.

 

[Mrkurtz]

This is all 3x the price for me. [/QUOTE

Just noticed there are some bargain jackets available at Taylor's:

Jackets under $99 | Taylor's Leatherwear – Taylor's Leatherwear, Inc. (taylorsleatherwear.com)

What is the quality like on a Taylor’s leather jacket?

 

[Edward]

What is the quality like on a Taylor’s leather jacket?

Can only comment on the one example I've handled, but... A couple of years ago, I put a ridiculously low bid on a jacket on eBay just to watch it, and ended up winning. It's a Taylor Chicago police model (almost identical to the Milwaukee one, the difference being the latter has side-zips to adjust fit, while the Chicago jacket has a little bit of elastication on the sides (sewn to and under the leather). The quality overall is good, certainly at least as good as my Schott 618, and probably if anything just a little heftier. A nice alternative to a civilianised pilot jacket like the Schott 184sm. Between one thing and another (mostly the plague), it's just been hanging in my office for a long time, but it'll get worn eventually. If another used Taylor came up at a good price on eBay, I'd certainly consider one of the cross-zip styles.

If my sample of one is anything to go by qualitatively, they're a very respectable jacket at normal price, and a ridiculous bargain at the sale price of a hundred bucks if there's one you really like.