New to me un-labeled Cafe Racer

[AeroFan_07]

Found this while on vacation in Wisconsin at a neat shop in Rhinelander, Denim & Leather Exchange. Big shout-out to Mary Jo for keeping good products there, with a strong customer base as she has been in business for about 12 years now.

So to the jacket, it's a brown Cafe Racer, I would guess mid-60's to early 70's based off the (very good) lining and trim. It has partially-zipped sides for adjustment. Also had at one time a zip-in lining however that is gone. This probably had the name-tag of the jacket manufacturer. The zippers are interesting, they had a brand-name of Serval on the main and two side zips. The two pocket zips are ring pulls on short chains. Perhaps a Bates or a Grais?

I was fortunate, the fit is good, since I am a 42L to 44L, it was surprising to find this in a vintage jacket. I'm not a huge fan of the brown used on these vintage jackets, looks more "painted on" than other types. This jacket literally smells new still, not musty or any trace of smoke smell.

Here's some photos and a few really bad fit photos at the end. I'll get lining photos soon, as I somehow forgot those. Any help identifying would be appreciated!

 

[handymike]

Schott from the 70s?

 

[nick123]

Leather looks very much like a Lesco.

 

[Monitor]

It's Sears. Really good jackets. Heavy, tough leather.

 

[Butch_Coolidge]

Schott from the 70s?

Looks almost identical, without seeing the back. Nice find.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AeroFan_07]

Thanks guys. It's a mid-weight leather CR, nicely broken in. We'll see more of it soon and I'll get some better, outdoor fit photos of it this weekend.

 

[robrinay]

I'm pretty sure it's a Lesco - the label was on the zip out liner. I had one of these a few years ago and noted the similarities to a Schott model. I asked Gail at Schott why many Schott designs were identically similar to Lesco but she didn't know. I had wondered if they made them as they were in the same area of town according to their labels. My Lesco also had a Serval main zip. I believe Schott used Talon at this time. If you search for Lesco cafe racer on eBay you'll be able to find this model and make up your own mind. Some had poppered cinch belts some did not.

 

[Seb Lucas]

There was a version of this common pattern style made by just about all the big names. Brooks did one of these too with slight tweaks.

 

[handymike]

Thurston Bros. had an Excelled that looked identical (but black)...down to the side zippers.
https://www.thurston-bros.com/collections/bargains/products/vintage-excelled-cafe-racer-jacket

 

[AeroFan_07]

Thanks Mike, if I recall correctly, Sears sourced some of thier jackets from Excelled.

 

[handymike]

Found another on eBay...
zipper

lining

tag

 

[Monitor]

Excelled, yeah! I always mix Excelled and Sears for some reason but yeah. I've had an Excelled CR but if you had asked me about it now, I would've said Sears.