Sears Motorcylce Jacket History 1949-1963

[EAC]

Earliest example of Sears MC jacket I found, from the 1948 Christmas catalog:

It has both the half-belt on the back and the attached belt on the front, it is wool lined and has only the D map pocket and cigarette pocket, like the early Beck MC models. It looks like the side zip pocket was added a year later.

These Oakbrooks have the Appalachian Square patch pocket and the sewn epaulets. The same as this unlabeled jacket. The Oaks are labeled as Steerhide.

View attachment 361139

After receiving my jacket from tmitchell59, exchanging a few mails with him and seeing a few others of these jackets (https://www.secondtimeglory.com/items/19206024, https://www.secondtimeglory.com/items/10149823 and another at page 138 of the Leather Jacket Lightning Archives book, second edition), my best guess is that these are all steerhide, Appalachian made Oakbrooks dating to the (late?) 50s. Since catalogs tell only a part of the story, I find it plausible that the Oakbrook label was introduced before the 60s.
They could be an older 50s batch re-labelled as Oakbrooks and sold in the 60s, as I think tmitchell59 guessed (this would explain the earlier D pocket design and the through belt), but I'm doubtful, since there's really too many of them still around. If it had been only 1-2 jackets, I would have found the claim to be believable.

 

[tmitchell59]

omg again!!!

 

[EAC]

omg again!!!

Ahahah, coming from you, it's really flattering!

 

[tmitchell59]

Just give me a moment to reply, I'm in shock!

 

[tmitchell59]

I am equally shocked to see the leather Trucker, the One Grail jacket for me. I have seen one in a Japanese book, that is it!

I did not have access to the Christmas catalogs when I downloaded the Sears catalogs.

First appearance for MC jackets in the regular 1949 catalog.

Buco jackets in the Automotive section 1949

1949 Outerwear section

 

[tmitchell59]

I just bought this wool lined unlabeled MC jacket a couple of weeks ago. This is the jacket pictured. Wool lined, no handwarmer pocket.

This jacket has only a Horsehide label, no missing labels. Heavy horsehide, belt loops are riveted, full half belt, no handwarmer pockets.

I also have this jacket in Goatskin

This is the same jacket pictured in the 1949 catalog with a handwarmer pocket. Both have the rivets on the belt loops. This jacket has the "new" back design.

Riveted belt loops

Transitional label-Pre 1951

 

[EAC]

I am equally shocked to see the leather Trucker, the One Grail jacket for me. I have seen one in a Japanese book, that is it!

Yeah, I saw it too, on the Lightning Archives book. Earliest trucker style leather jacket I've come across, but it's likely there were others, too. It is also its only appearance on the catalogs, as far as I know, so it must have been in production for a very short timeframe, which explains why I've never seen other real life pictures of it.

 

[tmitchell59]

Goatskin Basket case same maker as above jacket. No handwarmer pockets, wool lined, riveted belt loops, half-belt back, belt is tapered on this one.

 

[tmitchell59]

This was the missing Page in the Sears Motorcycle Jacket history. There is one jacket remaining that I need to account for in the early years.

The Vertical zip page from 1951 is also a keystone in the Vertical zip history.

Now to rest.

 

[tmitchell59]

The Twill jacket first show up in the 1951 catalog. This is fairly soon after Sears started retailing leather MC jackets around 1949

This is the 1955 Catalog shot of the Twill jacket.

This Oakbrook showed up on ebay. I searched the catalog and did not find an Oakbrook twill MC jacket.

There is a history of the Twill jackets made under different labels and styles including Harley Davidson jackets.

 

[EAC]

F/W 1965

 

[tmitchell59]

F/W 1965

View attachment 372457

You did well again! That is the Oakbrook that is for sale.

 

[JMax]

The Oakbrook Satin-Twill arrived. It is new. Never worn. Incredible really. Almost 60 years old and no one wore it. And light too. I thought the box was empty. Super lightweight. Fit is perfect. I’ve got lots of the vintage makers dialed in fit-wise at this point, Sears no exception. It is a dark black too. Darker than in the photos. Here are pics. If you have questions or any more pics of something, let me know. This thing is so lightweight. A windbreaker. I need to confirm, but pretty sure the snap on collar from my other Sears will work. The snap configuration is basic and the same.

 

[tmitchell59]

Excellent! That would be too cool if you can get the Snap-on collar to go on there. Will you be able to use that jacket on your ride?

 

[JMax]

Excellent! That would be too cool if you can get the Snap-on collar to go on there. Will you be able to use that jacket on your ride?

The fit is MC, but no way I would ride in it. I go down and this jacket would look like a ripped up piñata. It’s awesome for daily off the bike wear.

 

[JMax]

I was going through my closet and found another detachable collar. It perfectly fits my Herc. No doubt it also will fit the other Herc and likely the Oakbrook. I’m stoked.

 

[stringer]

I saw a sears on Facebook
Can anybody date this jacket?

 

[tmitchell59]

I saw a sears on Facebook
Can anybody date this jacket? View attachment 386946 View attachment 386947

A seldom seen Label and Jacket. The label is short lived probably around mid 50s. This jacket pictured is in the Fraternity Prep section. The Fraternity Prep had a sperate label, sized for younger men.

This catalog page is from 1956. Appears to be the same jacket in horsehide.

 

[stringer]

Thanks Terry, I knew you would have the answer? I said I would take it, but it is out of state and pick up only. I posted pictures to contribute to the thread.

 

[tmitchell59]

Thanks Terry, I knew you would have the answer? I said I would take it, but it is out of state and pick up only. I posted pictures to contribute to the thread.

I like the look/style of this jacket as you pictured much better than the catalog shot. I've never seen this style in the Wild. I would like to have it too. Most Fraternity prep were smaller sizes.

what size did the seller indicate?