Requesting ID and appraisal on a (40’s Sears?) leather Jacket

[jauregui]

If I decide to try to repair it myself then I will definitely consult you. Would you happen to be able to identify the jacket?

It appears to be a Hercules or an Oakbrook. They both made the same model. Oakbrook had a more taper shoulders than the Hercules. I need to see more details in the jacket construction. I must say, I have seen that lining on some of the 40's Harley Davidson labeled jackets. Come to think of it, It might be a topline? I am just speculating. The design is a little different at the lower back kidney panel. The label appears to have an "outwear" on it? It is this is the case, it could be Hercules. I hope T. can perhaps let us know? He truly is a wealth of information.

 

[Will Zach]

Understandable. Are you able to ID the jacket or know of someone or some place where I can have a jacket like this identified?

Not me, but there are guys on this site that should be able to. Hope they see this thread.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

No but I can definitely see why you’d think that haha, cause that guy has some thrashed stuff. I purchased my jacket in-person.

I'm only exaggerating lol
thanks for being a good sport about it

Personally, I don't know much about jacket repair or vintage pieces - I don't own any and have only handled a few. Anyway you only spent $100 - but if I were you, I'd be prepared to end up going upwards that amount on repairs itself.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

It appears to be a Hercules or an Oakbrook. They both made the same model. Oakbrook had a more taper shoulders than the Hercules. I need to see more details in the jacket construction. I must say, I have seen that lining on some of the 40's Harley Davidson labeled jackets. Come to think of it, It might be a topline? I am just speculating. The design is a little different at the lower back kidney panel. The label appears to have an "outwear" on it? It is this is the case, it could be Hercules. I hope T. can perhaps let us know? He truly is a wealth of information.

I’m happy to provide additional, more detailed photos. Good eye on the “outwear”, I was trying to figure out what that read for a while. I’m new so I don’t know who T. is, but yes hopefully he sees this.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

I'm only exaggerating lol
thanks for being a good sport about it

Personally, I don't know much about jacket repair or vintage pieces - I don't own any and have only handled a few. Anyway you only spent $100 - but if I were you, I'd be prepared to end up going upwards that amount on repairs itself.

All good lol, and yeah if it makes sense then I’m prepared to spend more than what I got it for.

 

[Will Zach]

OP, you may be under a mistaken impression that if the jacket is merely old (1940s), it is valuable no matter the condition. That is generally not true. Generally, because if the jacket is a unicorn, it may be valuable. But your jacket is not a unicorn. I remember I was recently amazed when an early pair of tattered and stained Levi's jeans went for $130,000. This jacket ain't it. It is not rare or super-old, is what I am saying.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

OP, you may be under a mistaken impression that if the jacket is merely old (1940s), it is valuable no matter the condition. That is generally not true. Generally, because if the jacket is a unicorn, it may be valuable. But your jacket is not a unicorn. I remember I was recently amazed when an early pair of tattered and stained Levi's jeans went for $130,000. This jacket ain't it. It is not rare or super-old, is what I am saying.

Ah okay, yeah that was sort of my impression. I knew it wasn’t a unicorn but the fact it was manufactured by Sears should have been my indication that it wasn’t rare.

 

[Will Zach]

Ah okay, yeah that was sort of my impression. I knew it wasn’t a unicorn but the fact it was manufactured by Sears should have been my indication that it wasn’t rare.

Well, funny you say that, because some old Sears, Roebuck jackets are rare and valuable. For example when they were made for them by the highly prized Buco brand under Allstate label. In good shape these go for a couple grand. But even those jackets, if they were in the shape yours is in, would be essentially worthless.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

Well, funny you say that, because some old Sears, Roebuck jackets are rare and valuable. For example when they were made for them by the highly prized Buco brand under Allstate label. In good shape these go for a couple grand. But even those jackets, if they were in the shape yours is in, would be essentially worthless.

Good to know. In general, how much less valuable is a fully repaired leather jacket than the same jacket in new or like-new condition? (Assuming the repair is high quality) That might be too vague, but like a percentage estimate

 

[jeo]

Hello, I’ve recently acquired this Sears leather jacket for $100 and I’d like to know what it is and how much it’s worth. I was told by the seller (whom I trust) that it’s a 1940’s Sears jacket worth a large sum of money. It’s obviously not in good condition, and only the two front pocket zippers and left cuff zipper work. The label is also is poor condition. The metal snaps and flannel lining are in working/good condition. Has no odd smells.

Early 50’s horsehide Sears Hercules D pocket motorcycle jacket made by California Sportswear. Not worth much. It’s a parts jacket at best. Shame too as it has a rare lining.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

Early 50’s horsehide Sears Hercules D pocket motorcycle jacket made by California Sportswear. Not worth much. It’s a parts jacket at best. Shame too as it has a rare lining.

Thank you so much!

 

[Sweatyjogger]

Early 50’s horsehide Sears Hercules D pocket motorcycle jacket made by California Sportswear. Not worth much. It’s a parts jacket at best. Shame too as it has a rare lining.

Are there places to sell a jacket like this for parts?

 

[tmitchell59]

Early 50’s horsehide Sears Hercules D pocket motorcycle jacket made by California Sportswear. Not worth much. It’s a parts jacket at best. Shame too as it has a rare lining.

Despite the condition it is a rather rare item. I have never seen this lining. I have a
CSC with a wool lining in a different color/pattern. I have seen one other like mine, but never this lining. Other than the lining a standard CSC Hercules.

I'm glad you posted it here. Another missing link in Sears MC history. I will put this one in the Sears thread. I

 

[jauregui]

The jacket is very reparable. I have repaired lot worst from track, fire and other unfortunate event damage. My simple solution is to a longer leather patch from the inside to give the cracked and damage areas a solid foundation. After a good cleaning and conditioning the leather can give the jacket a newer life. All can be done by a DIY person with ganas. The lining is consistent with some late 40's jackets I have seen. The zipper on the sleeves places it as a "post war" zipper. Main zipper is a replacement.

 

[Bennarion]

Hello, I’ve recently acquired this Sears leather jacket for $100 and I’d like to know what it is and how much it’s worth. I was told by the seller (whom I trust) that it’s a 1940’s Sears jacket worth a large sum of money. It’s obviously not in good condition, and only the two front pocket zippers and left cuff zipper work. The label is also is poor condition. The metal snaps and flannel lining are in working/good condition. Has no odd smells.

Interesting design. The jacket can be used as an exhibit in a museum and can also be disassembled to reproduce an exact copy.

 

[Sweatyjogger]

Despite the condition it is a rather rare item. I have never seen this lining. I have a
CSC with a wool lining in a different color/pattern. I have seen one other like mine, but never this lining. Other than the lining a standard CSC Hercules.

I'm glad you posted it here. Another missing link in Sears MC history. I will put this one in the Sears thread. I

Good to know! And I’m glad I could provide that link.

 

[Monitor]

OP, this is the best and only place on the entire internet to ask about this sort of thing. Everyone else will lie to you, as they had, starting with the guy who sold you the jacket.

To say that this jacket isn't a comparatively rare and certainly one of the best motorcycle jackets made back in the day, would be entirely unfair. But yeah, at the same time, if it isn't a one-off, custom made production sample or something along these lines, it absolutely has to be in a good, out-of-the-box wearable condition to hold any value.

Scarcity dictates value and while a lot of people still pretend as if these jackets weren't actually mass produced & for decades at the time, there's even more people who still have them sitting somewhere in their basements, garages and attics.
When this whole vintage thing picked up, those who got in early drove up the value and it was a fun little gig until everyone and I do mean literally everyone who wanted, say, a super-rare, omega-Grail Buco J-24 ah actually, somehow, magically, got one.

No magic was involved, of course. Everyone now has one because there's so many of them available and since there is virtually no reason why any single one of these jackets that hasn't been trashed in a motorcycle accident, wouldn't still be in a good to mint condition, there's no reason why everyone shouldn't have one.
These jackets are quality, hard wearing garments. Couple of decades here and there doesn't make no difference.

Which is where scarcity shifts from supply and demand to condition.

Sadly, your jacket is in an abysmal condition and as such, is of little to no value to anyone. Restoring it adds zero value since there is a lot of them available in a (much) better condition, not to mention it takes away from the authenticity.

As others suggested, use/sell it for parts but expect no profit.

 

[jeo]

Are there places to sell a jacket like this for parts?

I’m sure if you put it up on eBay for low enough someone will grab it