Taubers compared to Ralphs-Pugh Jackets

[tmitchell59]

A few months ago, I found this Ralphs Pugh on Grailed. The asked price was funny and nobody did look further (between $3000 and $6000). But I was patient and decided to contact the seller. I won it for a few hundred dollars, and no import tax. Here are some pics of the sale page, I will post some pics of the jacket, that I did condition.
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Color me envious again! Never seen a RP in this construction. That Steerhide label is from c.1940. The green steerhide label was the first in 1938.

The side construction looks like the earlier cossack style.

I'll add these pics to my RP book (under construction)

 

[Wildhorses]

Color me envious again! Never seen a RP in this construction. That Steerhide label is from c.1940. The green steerhide label was the first in 1938.

The side construction looks like the earlier cossack style.

I'll add these pics to my RP book (under construction)

This jacket is a mix of 40s CHP and civilian jacket. The leather used on it is incredible. Was the grain pronouced like this when new, or dit it age like this amazingly ? Difficult to find this kind of steerhide today. It's a size around 40/42, would be too small for you, just fits me fine. I like it.
Don't hesitate to ask for pics, if I can help. Hoping to see your future RP book/page.

 

[tmitchell59]

RP was a noted user of Steerhide when the dominate hide was Horse. They also produced jackets in Horse and Goatskin, suedes also.

RP, like all the bay area makers, had access to the finest tanned leathers in the world just miles away. My theory; they had a close connection with the tanners and had their choice of the finest hides.

The horsehide they used is as fine a leather as I have handled and remains that way after 70 years!

40s Steerhide

1938 Steerhide, nothing like the other Steerhide. This is the most unusual leather I have encountered.

 

[tmitchell59]

RP did some interesting work

The Vest on the left is a RP, I have pictures of others like it. The vest on the right is Los Angeles Sport Togs

The jacket is the earliest Appalachian I have encountered. late 40s

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[Wildhorses]

RP did some interesting work

The Vest on the left is a RP, I have pictures of others like it. The vest on the right is Los Angeles Sport Togs

The jacket is the earliest Appalachian I have encountered. late 40s

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RP did some interesting work

The Vest on the left is a RP, I have pictures of others like it. The vest on the right is Los Angeles Sport Togs

The jacket is the earliest Appalachian I have encountered. late 40s

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One day I will find an Appalachian cross-zip like this one, or the Sears version.

 

[Marc mndt]

One day I will find an Appalachian cross-zip like this one, or the Sears version.

I'll happily trade mine against your RP

 

[Wildhorses]

I'll happily trade mine against your RP

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This Appalachian is a keeper, don't sell it. Nice grain too. The RP is something special that will be hard to find elsewhere, now that I have it, I can't imagine I would want to sell this jacket.

 

[tmitchell59]

This jacket has not been worn a lot. The thing is... how long will it be wearable, before I see some undone stitching. Wearing a 75 old jacket is not like wearing a new one, we all know. Quick fit pics. Bad quality phone pics...
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I recall this has a sunrise Talon zipper stop? Look on the bottom of the stop and look for a letter and number. It is a date code for the zipper.

 

[Wildhorses]

I recall this has a sunrise Talon zipper stop? Look on the bottom of the stop and look for a letter and number. It is a date code for the zipper.

The back of the zipper and bottom of the stop of this RP

 

[tmitchell59]

The back of the zipper and bottom of the stop of this RP
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Thanks. The code is in the 2nd picture. I can't tell from the picture if you can see the code.

here is mine: K9
Year 1939
K=11 month of the year November.

This jacket corresponds in look to a jacket from 1939

 

[Wildhorses]

It's like the date code on Gibson guitars. Sadly it's hard to read the code on my jacket. Anyway, dating a zipper only dates...the zipper. I suppose mine is from the 1940s.

 

[tmitchell59]

It's like the date code on Gibson guitars. Sadly it's hard to read the code on my jacket. Anyway, dating a zipper only dates...the zipper. I suppose mine is from the 1940s.

Yes, the reverse Alphabet in the 50s!

I see your code; 0=1940 the Month letter is obscured.

I believe the zipper dates are accurate to the year of manufacture in these 2 jackets. The Sunrise box fades away in civilian use by 1942. These zippers were too valuable and short lived to be hanging around waiting to be used. A small concern like RP probably only stocked what they needed, not surplus.

 

[Wildhorses]

F 0 ?

 

[tmitchell59]

F 0 ?
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Excellent! May, 1940

 

[tmitchell59]

I am looking through my jackets. Found 39, 40, 41 so far. Few more to read.