Original Indian Motorcycle Jackets

[Yamahana]

My Indian Ranger is the 1948 DeLuxe model. It has nickelled Crown spring zippers at the sleeves. It doesn't hang off, the spring holds it back. Good stuff.
Pocket zippers are brass Conmar and main was brass Talon. I replaced it because it was crocked and too short.

WOW! Those zips are so cool! Is the throat latch design on your Indian similar to the Fidelity throat latch?

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

WOW! Those zips are so cool! Is the throat latch design on your Indian similar to the Fidelity throat latch?

The troat latch is a snap on.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Are there other original Indian Ranger jackets out there?

 

[JMax]

Mysteryo is the only member I know with OG IRs. He also has the Fidelity HH version. Probably has every maker’s cross zip style, from every year, with every hardware variation, different hides, and whatever else too.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Mysteryo is the only member I know with OG IRs. He also has the Fidelity HH version. Probably has every maker’s cross zip style, from every year, with every hardware variation, different hides, and whatever else too.

Thanks, he´s a cool guy. We know each other from insta.

 

[Yamahana]

The troat latch is a snap on. View attachment 368204

Definitely not the same as my Fidelity which is a Velcro closure but still I haven’t seen a throat latch feature very often on vintage mass produced motorcycle jackets.

 

[JMax]

Definitely not the same as my Fidelity which is a Velcro closure but still I haven’t seen a throat latch feature very often on vintage mass produced motorcycle jackets.

My Sportclad MC/D pocket has one. That’s it for the vintage jackets I own or have owned. Not a snap or velcro, buttoned.

 

[Yamahana]

Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass

with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

 

[JMax]

Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass
View attachment 368339 View attachment 368340
with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

Love this angle of the chest pocket. I’ve been looking for one of these in good condition and fit me for a bit.

 

[Aloysius]

Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass
View attachment 368339 View attachment 368340
with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

This looks like the later Indian/Fidelity. Look at the off-brand Perfecto front. (I don't think it's an ugly front, actually, but I don't know how else to describe 'Perfecto, but make the chest pocket vertical.)

 

[JMax]

Other differences are the open gussets on the sleeves. Pretty unique back then. View attachment 368028

I put on the Sportclad to pick up dinner for the family and it also has the open gussets. Not something I previously noted.

 

[Mysteryo]

Here are pictures of my vintage Fidelity, very similar to the IR. I assume it’s in horsehide, but no indication except the quality of the leather.
No throat latch, no open cuff. Lining is a replacement.

 

[Mysteryo]

And here’s my Indian ranger before refurbishment by Aeroleather.
It’s a rare size 44/46 (according to measurements)
Very similar to the fidelity, what makes me think they are both coming from the same factory at the time.
You also can notice traces of the original lining: quilted nylon! I chose a red plaid checked for refurbishment.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Super cool! Now this is almost a twin...Do you know any other IR´s out there?

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

And here’s my Indian ranger before refurbishment by Aeroleather.
It’s a rare size 44/46 (according to measurements)
Very similar to the fidelity, what makes me think they are both coming from the same factory at the time.
You also can notice traces of the original lining: quilted nylon! I chose a red plaid checked for refurbishment.

Absolutly love it!
Does your IR have a tag inside the pillion pocket?
Mine has. It says 4851. Could be year and week of production.

 

[Mysteryo]

here's a link to a group on facebook to another 40's IR
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintageleatherjackets/permalink/10153628408305669/

 

[Mysteryo]

Here’s the tag in my Rangers zipper pocket:

 

[JMax]

Super cool! Now this is almost a twin...Do you know any other IR´s out there?

This is the version of the Indian I would mentally compare the Fidelity to. Your version was cool to see.

 

[tmitchell59]

Post war Talon, c.1946

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Detail of my 1948 Indian Ranger