Sears Motorcylce Jacket History 1949-1963

[jonbuilder]

Agreed. Sears MC jacket deserves it. There were so many variants and each unique and interesting as the last one, never losing any charm. My favorite is the first with the top sleeve zippers but then again, it doesn't have the back rivets as the later models so as far as I am concerned, literally each iteration is worth owning. It's just as good of a jacket as any Buco.

The Sears also produced a beautiful Cafe Racer which also went thru a lot of variations and yet nobody's talking about it or taking it seriously. I've had three and each were really fantastic jackets, much sturdier and better made than Brooks. This was my favorite, although it was a 44 or a 46 even, really too large for me. Ton helped me with getting it over the pond. I though at the time it's just a very nice jacket but turned out later that not much else I bought was significantly better. Crazy nice CR. The leather was also gorgeous and heavy. Exactly as hide should be IMO.

Thanks for post monitor, I've never noticed this Hercules jacket before. Dam I like it.

 

[tmitchell59]

Like hot damn Sears and the various makers supplying them deserve way more love. You’re proving it here Terry. The shape your ‘49 is in by the way is unreal. I hope people never stop commenting and contributing to this thread. As was said the amount of work, study, collecting and of course money to buy the products and books is immeasurable at this point. @tmitchell59 i think I’ve said 3-4 times this past week but you are a legend to TFL. There are a ton of books on military collections and uniforms, a small but decent amount on biker jackets, and of course Rin. I’m telling you Terry write a massive book like Rin did for Schott but on Sears and their collections. I would buy it. His books cost a pretty penny, I would pay 100 bucks for your book. I’m not joking no one around here has done more research and collecting on Sears and their jackets than you. I’m sure even those who aren’t into Hercs/Sears/Oakbrook etc.. would buy it just to support you. I would even contribute 100 bucks right now to a gofundme or Kickstarter so you can afford to get it off the ground. All sounds like a flight of fancy, but I’m serious and I think the TFL Community at least would buy it.

Thank you for your generous comments, they make the work worth the effort! When I got into Vintage guitars I got in deep, compiled a lot of data, pics, cross references, etc. I've shared that on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum or UMFG. When I retired Guitar trading retired also. I can own a lot of leather jackets for the cost of a couple of guitars. I've got plenty of guitars.

I do what I do because it interest me. I buy what interest me. I like the connections that are uncovered. I like learning. I have many questions and much speculation.

You are correct about the Money! I can do what I do and say what I say and Know what I know because I have paid for my education! I pass along some nice jackets in the process and hopefully some fun/interesting history.

I believe much information on vintage leather jackets is in Japan. They own the largest share which probably came from David Himel and a host of other pickers. You learn a lot having the jackets in your hands. Japanese were also very involved in the vintage guitar market. I continue to search for bits and pieces, like a puzzle.

I am currently working on a Ralphs-Pugh visual history. It is already an interesting story as I have been in contact with a member of the family. He sent me a picture of a Catalog he had framed on the wall at Ralphs-Pugh Co. He had a picture of a cloth jacket and tales of his mother having a leather jacket at her house. He is tracking down other leads. I'll post it all in the Ralphs-Pugh thread. At least it is a connection with the past.

I have thought of a Catalog jacket project. Compare the Hercules, Sportclad, Windward. You learn a lot owning the jackets. I could share a few thoughts.

 

[tmitchell59]

The Sears also produced a beautiful Cafe Racer which also went thru a lot of variations and yet nobody's talking about it or taking it seriously.

Perfect!

Notice the complete lack of anything resembling a Cafe Racer in 1949-1963 catalogs. I have 65, 70, 75 pages with no CR style jacket pictured. I have seen them, but know nothing about them. Look forward to seeing and learning about them

 

[dannyk]

Thank you for your generous comments, they make the work worth the effort! When I got into Vintage guitars I got in deep, compiled a lot of data, pics, cross references, etc. I've shared that on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum or UMFG. When I retired Guitar trading retired also. I can own a lot of leather jackets for the cost of a couple of guitars. I've got plenty of guitars.

I do what I do because it interest me. I buy what interest me. I like the connections that are uncovered. I like learning. I have many questions and much speculation.

You are correct about the Money! I can do what I do and say what I say and Know what I know because I have paid for my education! I pass along some nice jackets in the process and hopefully some fun/interesting history.

I believe much information on vintage leather jackets is in Japan. They own the largest share which probably came from David Himel and a host of other pickers. You learn a lot having the jackets in your hands. Japanese were also very involved in the vintage guitar market. I continue to search for bits and pieces, like a puzzle.

I am currently working on a Ralphs-Pugh visual history. It is already an interesting story as I have been in contact with a member of the family. He sent me a picture of a Catalog he had framed on the wall at Ralphs-Pugh Co. He had a picture of a cloth jacket and tales of his mother having a leather jacket at her house. He is tracking down other leads. I'll post it all in the Ralphs-Pugh thread. At least it is a connection with the past.

I have thought of a Catalog jacket project. Compare the Hercules, Sportclad, Windward. You learn a lot owning the jackets. I could share a few thoughts.

I would love to see the Ralph-Pugh when it’s complete and am willing to pay. I truly believe you should put together a Sears book as well. I would not only be willing to buy and help fund. Hell I’d love to be a long-distance assistant if needed. What I always say why I love TFL over other places is we appreciate both the fashion and the history. There are forums for just the fashion and just the history we do both and do it well here. I think the things long time collectors and historians like you provide are beyond a dollar amount. Though as I’ve said I am willing to pay because I think it’s so interesting and important. Let me know if I can ever help. Let me know if you ever make a hard copy or downloadable history of Ralph and/or Sears. If anyone has the knowledge and earned their stripes in doing it, it’s you. The guys on forums like this are going to spend the money no matter what. And even though sometimes we talk smack about Schott or Rin Tanaka I’d be willing to bet we almost all own the books. So if we’re going to spend and buy it, might as well be on one of our own. Keep us in the loop on your progress and maybe just maybe we can get ya to make a Sears history.

 

[tmitchell59]

This jacket looks the same to me as Terry's 1949 Hercules green wool-lined jacket, except the Styled and Made in California label on the label?

My wool lined and the jacket you pictured are the same except for the Styled and Made in California phrase on the label.

There is actually another variation on the wool lined that has a sewn in half-belt in the back. I forgot about it.

 

[Peacoat]

This jacket looks the same to me as Terry's 1949 Hercules green wool-lined jacket, except the Styled and Made in California label on the label?
Does someone know how to show this jacket in a side by side comparison with Terry's 1949 Hercules jacket? If so please do.

Are these the jackets you referenced? The second one is Terry's 1949 Hercules.

Edit Note: I see that Terry posted as I was uploading the files.

 

[jonbuilder]

Are these the jackets you referenced? The second one is Terry's 1949 Hercules.

View attachment 251630


View attachment 251631

Edit Note: I see that Terry posted as I was uploading the files.

The snaps are black on the top jacket brass on the lower jacket

 

[Peacoat]

The snaps are black on the top jacket brass on the lower jacket

Good eye for detail.

 

[jonbuilder]

From Himel "The Art of Vintage Jackets"
link
http://vintageleatherjackets.blogsp...0-04:00&max-results=11&start=22&by-date=false

Sear D pocket 1950

Sear D pocket 1961

1952 Sears D pocket with reference to Allstate equipment

 

[tmitchell59]

The snaps are black on the top jacket brass on the lower jacket

Yes. I don't know why but many postwar jackets have the blackened metal parts including zippers.

It appears my jacket has the zippers on top the sleeve instead on the side as the ebay jacket.

Here is the other variation with the sewn in half-belt

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Thanks for posting this @tmitchell59 ! Such a great resource. This really shows me that Sears deserves more love for their jackets.

 

[tmitchell59]

Through Belt model in Horsehide.

 

[JMax]

Through Belt model in Horsehide.

View attachment 252060 View attachment 252061 View attachment 252062 View attachment 252063 View attachment 252064 View attachment 252065

Is that the one we discussed from eBay a couple of months ago? Beautiful

 

[dannyk]

I’ve already gushed on how much I appreciate your research and how much I would buy/support a Ralph-Pugh and Sears photo history Book. But last point I want to add is that I hope this thread really does bring a lot more love to the Sears range of jackets. I know some of us here have owned some, and no I wouldn’t necessarily say they were the best. But they certainly weren’t the worst. They had a ton of killer designed all decently produced. If anyone looks through this thread and the other Sears thread you made I hope they come away saying wow I never knew. They definitely deserve some love.

 

[tmitchell59]

Steerhide, Made and Styled in California through belt.

 

[tmitchell59]

Is that the one we discussed from eBay a couple of months ago? Beautiful

? but Probably. I think the pictures are from ebay.

 

[JMax]

? but Probably. I think the pictures are from ebay.

You ended up purchasing it from a nice lady on eBay. She was not fully aware of the jacket she had. Though if I recall, it had the green lining.

 

[tmitchell59]

I’ve already gushed on how much I appreciate your research and how much I would buy/support a Ralph-Pugh and Sears photo history Book. But last point I want to add is that I hope this thread really does bring a lot more love to the Sears range of jackets. I know some of us here have owned some, and no I wouldn’t necessarily say they were the best. But they certainly weren’t the worst. They had a ton of killer designed all decently produced. If anyone looks through this thread and the other Sears thread you made I hope they come away saying wow I never knew. They definitely deserve some love.

Thank you. The Ralphs-Pugh chapter is about done. I have all the images in chronological order. I need to edit my text. I am also waiting on some information from the company. This will add to what little is known. Put the information in one place.

I think of each installment as a chapter. Sears Motorcycle Jackets, Sears Post-War Leather, 1946-1960, Sears War-Time 40-45, Sears 1930s from Buttons to Zippers. I've got all the catalog pages, a ton of pictures and a few jackets.

I have barely touched on the 30s early 40s jackets. These are my favorites.

But last point I want to add is that I hope this thread really does bring a lot more love to the Sears range of jackets. I know some of us here have owned some, and no I wouldn’t necessarily say they were the best. B

I would say there was a point when all the Catalog companies had high quality products, certainly the mid 30s-mid 40s. Hercules has become the most well known of the labels. They are quality products.

I really want to do a thread on Catalog jacket comparisons. I have some opinions/speculation and would be interested in hearing from others. The Top Three: Sears, J.C. Penney, Wards.

 

[tmitchell59]

You ended up purchasing it from a nice lady on eBay. She was not fully aware of the jacket she had. Though if I recall, it had the green lining.

OK, I own the green plaid wool lined jacket often pictured here. Yes, I got it from a lady on ebay.

 

[dannyk]

Thank you. The Ralphs-Pugh chapter is about done. I have all the images in chronological order. I need to edit my text. I am also waiting on some information from the company. This will add to what little is known. Put the information in one place.

I think of each installment as a chapter. Sears Motorcycle Jackets, Sears Post-War Leather, 1946-1960, Sears War-Time 40-45, Sears 1930s from Buttons to Zippers. I've got all the catalog pages, a ton of pictures and a few jackets.

I have barely touched on the 30s early 40s jackets. These are my favorites.

But last point I want to add is that I hope this thread really does bring a lot more love to the Sears range of jackets. I know some of us here have owned some, and no I wouldn’t necessarily say they were the best. B

I would say there was a point when all the Catalog companies had high quality products, certainly the mid 30s-mid 40s. Hercules has become the most well known of the labels. They are quality products.

I really want to do a thread on Catalog jacket comparisons. I have some opinions/speculation and would be interested in hearing from others. The Top Three: Sears, J.C. Penney, Wards.

Well however you look at it as expressed I can’t wait to see it all complete in some manner. And yeah back in these days those big stores did have some great stuff, all high quality. I just meant there were some places like Cal or Langlitz going back doing some really really nice and different things. But I’ve yet to come across anything from Sears between the 40-60s that was bad. Lots of variety and very nice products. Ralph-Pugh I’ve only seen one jacket in real life and some of the pictures posted around here. So I can’t say on a large scale how high quality they were, but from what I’ve seen they really had super nice leather. Really picked the best stuff.