Montgomery Ward (Windward) Motorcycle Jacket History 1947-1963

[JMax]

Horsehide Montgomery Ward, made by California Sportwear. I love the blackened hardware.

View attachment 457767 View attachment 457768 View attachment 457769 View attachment 457770 View attachment 457771 View attachment 457772 View attachment 457773 View attachment 457775 View attachment 457774 View attachment 457766

Well, at least I have your size dialed in.

Looks amazing bud.

 

[tmitchell59]

Horsehide Montgomery Ward, made by California Sportwear. I love the blackened hardware.

View attachment 457767 View attachment 457768 View attachment 457769 View attachment 457770 View attachment 457771 View attachment 457772 View attachment 457773 View attachment 457775 View attachment 457774 View attachment 457766

My Vote for The Best Jacket You Own. I admit to owning one myself and it is one of my Best. I'm not sure what I have seen you in that looks/fits as good. Your pictures really highlight the beauty of the this jacket. Another California Sportswear Co. production. Each I've owned/seen have the same high quality of leather and finish. They are early 50s and short lived with this label. I recall you posted this same jacket with the later Windward label.

After producing fine leather jackets for 50 years? they remain a mystery.

 

[Marc mndt]

View attachment 458622

My Vote for The Best Jacket You Own. I admit to owning one myself and it is one of my Best. I'm not sure what I have seen you in that looks/fits as good. Your pictures really highlight the beauty of the this jacket. Another California Sportswear Co. production. Each I've owned/seen have the same high quality of leather and finish. They are early 50s and short lived with this label. I recall you posted this same jacket with the later Windward label.

After producing fine leather jackets for 50 years? they remain a mystery.

Thank you for your kind words. It's definitely one of my best in terms of quality and style and probably the best in terms of condition as it it's pretty much flawless.

The only 'problem' with these is that they're very short. Mine came with a back length of 21.5" but I managed to stretch an extra inch out of it. 22.5 is still on the short side but somehow it works. As long as it covers the band of my jeans in the back I'm happy. I guess that's just the way they were worn back then.

 

[tmitchell59]

Here is my variation on a theme with a patch pocket. I've sung my praise for the CSC jackets no matter the label . These CSC jackets hide in several labels, but their quality always shows through.

Now there is a chorus of praise as we unmask the makers., CSC, Wolf, Kurland, Seattle Woolen, Monarch, etc. Each of these companies responded in the "post-war" MC jacket boom creating quality jackets off the rack. These jackets are 70 + and continue to shine. More are uncovered here from time to time. New connections made.

Today these jackets continue to be of the highest quality and compete with any new jacket by any maker. To me this is Fact and no Opinion. I've owned plenty of both.

This one below was found in the Wild with only a Horsehide tag. Openly advertised and purchased for 1/3 the price of a new high end leather and...every bit as good or even better. Like new and 70 years old. I bought it as others looked past the quality while looking for a label.

As I sing their praise I am conflicted as I want them all for myself no competition. Vintage hunting is fun!!

 

[tmitchell59]

This Windward looks to be California Sportswear with the typical 50s MW label. The horsehide tag is a CSC tag. This one gets cheaper by the week. Maybe time for me to just buy it, even if it is too small. It is just too nice. A variation on the CSC jackets above. I don't recall seeing this particular Windward style.

 

[Blackadder]

Here is my variation on a theme with a patch pocket. I've sung my praise for the CSC jackets no matter the label . These CSC jackets hide in several labels, but their quality always shows through.

Now there is a chorus of praise as we unmask the makers., CSC, Wolf, Kurland, Seattle Woolen, Monarch, etc. Each of these companies responded in the "post-war" MC jacket boom creating quality jackets off the rack. These jackets are 70 + and continue to shine. More are uncovered here from time to time. New connections made.

Today these jackets continue to be of the highest quality and compete with any new jacket by any maker. To me this is Fact and no Opinion. I've owned plenty of both.

This one below was found in the Wild with only a Horsehide tag. Openly advertised and purchased for 1/3 the price of a new high end leather and...every bit as good or even better. Like new and 70 years old. I bought it as others looked past the quality while looking for a label.

As I sing their praise I am conflicted as I want them all for myself no competition. Vintage hunting is fun!!


View attachment 458715 View attachment 458716 View attachment 458717 View attachment 458718

Beautiful Californian

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[tmitchell59]

This one I have in hand. I've owned/own many Windward labeled jacket and hold them in high esteem.

This jacket is from the early 50s, c.1952. This 50s Windward label has the mention of the Nylon stitching/lining that says to me; early 50s first edition of this label. This lettering does not continue through the life of this label. Nylon was a bid deal at the time, Buco transitioned like most makers to nylon lining around 1952. This has the "50s" red quilted nylon lining used by many makers through out the 50s. Has the small Talon zipper with a transitional stop box, again early 50s id.

It does not fit me. I bought it for the beautiful collar, just had to have my hands on it. I had not had an early Windward MC jacket. I do not know the maker, I do know it is not a California Sportswear jacket as pictured in this thread with the Californian MW label. I an put it on, and it feels very much like my Rough Wear MC jacket, even the leather is very similar, not a West Coast jacket.

The jacket is noticeable heavy probably 5.24 pounds, quilted lining in the sleeves too. I will do separate pics of the collar. It is an interesting make.

 

[photo2u]

This one I have in hand. I've owned/own many Windward labeled jacket and hold them in high esteem.

This jacket is from the early 50s, c.1952. This 50s Windward label has the mention of the Nylon stitching/lining that says to me; early 50s first edition of this label. This lettering does not continue through the life of this label. Nylon was a bid deal at the time, Buco transitioned like most makers to nylon lining around 1952. This has the "50s" red quilted nylon lining used by many makers through out the 50s. Has the small Talon zipper with a transitional stop box, again early 50s id.

It does not fit me. I bought it for the beautiful collar, just had to have my hands on it. I had not had an early Windward MC jacket. I do not know the maker, I do know it is not a California Sportswear jacket as pictured in this thread with the Californian MW label. I an put it on, and it feels very much like my Rough Wear MC jacket, even the leather is very similar, not a West Coast jacket.

The jacket is noticeable heavy probably 5.24 pounds, quilted lining in the sleeves too. I will do separate pics of the collar. It is an interesting make.
View attachment 473101 View attachment 473102 View attachment 473103 View attachment 473104 View attachment 473105 View attachment 473106 View attachment 473107 View attachment 473108

Looking forward to see them.

 

[Oskinator]

Finally I can also join a discussion. Recently got this beuty for a bargain. After a bath to get the smell out, shes pretty much good as new.

Stay tuned for fit pics!

 

[Marc mndt]

Finally I can also join a discussion. Recently got this beuty for a bargain. After a bath to get the smell out, shes pretty much good as new.

Stay tuned for fit pics!
View attachment 481967

Wow, that leather. Doesn't get much better than this. Congrats.

 

[Oskinator]

Heres some for now. As dou can see its quite short and boxy. Its has a back length of 22,5 inches so its just enough for me at 6 ft

 

[Oskinator]

 

[Modified_last_call]

Here's a nice Brent Cafe racer that i recently picked up.
The size tag was ripped off but I purchased it anyway.
Unfortunately, it's quite small, so I'll be selling it.

 

[tmitchell59]

I just noticed the side zips on this Windward MC jacket. I do recall seeing these on this style of jacket. It does appear on MW labeled jackets made by California Sportswear.

I don't recognize this a CSC jacket. Looks like a Kurland/Sportclad, but the epaulets are different.

I will keep my eyes open of the side zips.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Expandable zipper belly gussets - very cool. Fancy features like this got lost in the post war designs. Needs a comeback in repros.

 

[tmitchell59]

California Sportswear with sewn on belt removed. No label. Seen with MW label. Has side zips.

 

[Marc mndt]

Horsehide Windward

 

[Marc mndt]

 

[tmitchell59]

View attachment 496331 View attachment 496332 View attachment 496333

Three jackets, 3 different makers?

I know the CSC jacket.

The leather label jacket is probably a bit after the red wool lined I posted above, or right in the same time frame. The Beautiful quilted lining looks familiar and should be a strong clue to the maker. Both of these jackets have the epaulets stitched the same, but very different builds. Look to be same maker just different time frame.

East Coast maker? The red wool certainly looks the part.

The Steerhide?