My latest 1930/40's ? leather jacket: Cycle/Luftwaffe style

[ukali1066]

I've been mulling over this jacket for weeks now...I finally succumbed today and paid 40 pounds for it...

It's lucky I have the malnourished body of a 1930's lad...this jacket is very fitted and snug, and wouldn't fit many people...

The patina indicates a great deal of age....

The breast zips are original and marked "RUHR"

The main zip appears to be a replacement it has a lightning flash and 88 on it

The poor thing has had a hard time...some clown has given it a custard yellow lining...and poorly done at that... there are small remnants of a pinstriped sliky material underneath

Also the bottom has been shortened, maybe the closing clasp section has been totally removed, this looks like it was done ages ago looking at the bottom edge patina/wear.

Some of the seams are open, BUT there are no tears or rips and the leather is very thick but supple and flexible.

I've just got it home and gave it the Pecards....you could almost hear the jacket go "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

I'm contemplating sending it to Aeroleather for a relining and repair job, it won't be cheap but worth it to preserve this old girl....

Here's some quick photos I took in the shop before I decided to go for it.

 

[ukali1066]

Here we are after a good dousing with Pecards....I love how the rich colours pop right out....

 

[thunderw21]

I think I'm in love with this jacket.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Nice jacket. What makes you think it has been shortened? It looks the typical length of these jackets. Particularly the distance from the pocket flaps to the hem seems right. (They were generally cut very, very, short.)

Where are you finding these jackets at those prices, man? Any similar era germanic too small for you? (i.e. if there's any in 35S or R i'll take em from you).

bk

 

[aswatland]

Well done. This is an amazing buy! Looking at the photos it does not look as if it has been shortened. It looks spot on for a late 30s/40s bike jacket.

 

[Creeping Past]

Ah, West Yorks, the home of reasonably priced vintage gear. And drinkable tap water.

I love the before and after pics, showing what a good eye you've got and what a super jacket this really is.

I see what you mean about the length, but I really don't think it's been cropped. The proportions look right.

 

[ukali1066]

Cheers guys, I'm glad to hear you don't think it has been cropped....I was lead to think that by the way the bottom edges around the zip are uneven...but this is likely due to whoever replaced the main zip...

Kurtz...I'll keep my eyes peeled for you

Here's some shots of it on me.....I hope I never put on weight ! I wear a 36 chest in jackets usually, and there's only room for a t-shirt and a jumper under this.

I have to contact Aeroleather and price up a full relining and new inside pockets on all 4, the chest pockets have no actually pockets and the bottom ones are full of holes, also some seams needs redoing.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yeah, that zip's just been put in badly.

Great length. I recently bought a French/Spanish jacket of similar vintage that fits just like your one.

I, personally, would be a bit more conservative with the Pecard's - i prefer a less shiny/slick/oiled finish.

bk

 

[ukali1066]

Ahh that'll dull down Kurtz, I won't be wearing it for a week or so until it's soaked in

 

[Baron Kurtz]

So that's with the Pecard's just applied then? Good good.

Remember to wipe off the excess a day after application. That's plenty to feed the leather, and helps to bring out the patina.

What's it made of, do you think? Horse?

bk

 

[ukali1066]

Hmm...it could be horse or a heavy steerhide....
I was going to buy a Pre-distressed Wested Indy....but I think I'd rather spend money getting this fully restored....the distressing is all real on this

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

What a great find! The jacket looks to fit you perfectly...it must have been fate. Very, very nice. Wear it in good health.

Noel

 

[Sefton]

Yes, there's nothing like finding a great piece of vintage clothing that 'just fits' to help keep one from making the "just one more pint" decision.
I can't wait to see it when you've had the new lining put in. Congratulations on a great find! (by the way, I wear a 38 R ).

 

[Baron Kurtz]

re: the lining, i might propose a medium brown heavyweight wool twill. Given how tight they fit, there was never any possibility fo wearing much under them so they had to be warm in and of themselves. Since leather is distincly not a warm material, heavyweight wools were used. Tweeds, flannels often with prominent plaid patterns very often in the german leathers. Certainly twill wool, by all the examples of these jackets i've seen. Or maybe a plaid flannel like the other one ukali1066 has, again very common on the German leathers …

bk

 

[ukali1066]

I was thinking Aeroleathers brown alpaca perhaps...the remaining pockets are near enough this colour.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/...?page=displayproduct&subcatid=109&prodid=1266

 

[jack miranda]

Which Pecards product are you using

on your 'new' leather jacket? I'm amazed at the change in appearnace. Your description of the jacket's reaction (Ahhhhh!) said it perfectly. I've used other 'stuff', the names of which escape me the moment, on old jackets, but, I've not ever seen a 'recovery' as dramatic as the one in your new jacket. Killer jacket, by the way. I agree with Baron Kurtz about the store--darn near worth a trip to the UK all by itself.

Aero has some amazing materials for linings, a wall of them, in fact, in the downstairs. A quick run up to Galashiels, visit the factory, have lunch....time in Scotland is ne'er wasted, lad.

 

[ukali1066]

Cheers Jack !
I use this one, Pecards antique leather care http://pecard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Pecard&Category_Code=antique

It's got the texture of vaseline and a nice smell, great stuff to use.

I think I'll have to trust in Aero's judgement...I don't drive and Scotland is quite far

I'll keep y'all posted on the progress

 

[jack miranda]

Thanks, ukali1066, I followed your link and ordered

some Pecards. I appreciate the help. When you've your new lining, please post some pics.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Here's a few pics of Aero's offerings(but certainly not all).....

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/6756507

HD

 

[H.Johnson]

Cheers Jack !
I use this one, Pecards antique leather care http://pecard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Pecard&Category_Code=antique

Do you buy it from this site? Why not buy your Pecards from the nice lady Val Pringle in Langport, Somerset? You'll almost certainly save shipping. Also you might want to look at her husband Geoff's website Oldnaughtibits for some good stuff.