"The Grizzly"

[Worf]

"Bill Shakespere" Played for Notre Dame, see last ad.... lower right"

"To be or not to be... HUT HUT... HIKE!!!!"

Worf

 

[Will015]

Anyone have any opinions of the authenticity of Alexander Leathers Grizzly? It's probably the only grizzly I'd be able to afford that's of decent quality, but I'd prefer if it had raglan sleeves or just some horsehide in the shoulders so's as I can carry heavy items without wearing the fur off the shoulders.

 

[Sloan1874]

Jus' sayin', like...

 

[resortes805]

Jus' sayin', like...

wise guy...

If they are made the same way they were made by Aero in years past, than they run a little roomier in the chest than the vintage ones. I prefer a visible shoulder yoke and more accurate cuff straps, but that's just me.

 

[Dinerman]

1931


1934


1937


1937


1946. I wonder if this one was leftover stock from before the war.

 

[Dinerman]

The Grizzly and the Hudson Bay point blanket coat. All ads from 1936.

 

[Dinerman]

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Is that an original, DMan, or a repro? Looks to be in stunning condition, if an original!

 

[simonc]

What nuances on the Grizzly design should one observe? I'm toying with commissioning one, what is the correct placement of sheepskin, thick pile, wrist straps, waist strap, buckles, inner lining, etc etc, what things should I request to tighten its vintage detailing and appeal?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Most of the current crop of productions are true to one original or another. The styles varied a lot between models and manufacturers, especially regarding shapes, sizes and placement of panels. All cuff options seem to have been available. My original is essentially identical to DMan's one above, but with different Laskinlamb colour. The cuffs on mine have internal elastic knit cuffs and wrist adjustment straps. Also there were a wide variety of options for waist belt, side belts, back belts, etc.

 

[simonc]

I might go monochrome all black or I might go the opposite ie a cordovan with white curly lambskin, really open to ideas, they are a stand-out jacket, what unusual combo's does one not often see that rocks with this jacket?

 

[Will015]

I've always wanted to go black CXL and brown fur, wrist straps with internal storm cuffs, and a heavy Gunn ancient tartan lining. I couldn't get white anything on a jacket for fear of getting it dirty although the cream/black ones shown on here do look pretty awesome. I'd prefer something I can use/abuse that would only appear nicer in it's filth.

What's everyones opinion on the durability of these? I'd think they'd be less fragile than a sheepskin jacket with the fur facing in only because the fur might offer some sort of protection from something snagging and tearing the delicate sheepskin.

 

[Stearmen]

I'm a little late on the reply, but, great looking jacket Dinerman! Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the originals called Grizzly because the insert was bear skin? I have put off buying one, just did not think I could pull the look off! Now that I have some pre 40s motorcycles, I may have to save up.

 

[Dinerman]

I get the impression that the term "grizzly" is fairly recent, coined by modern collectors. It wasn't used by any of the companies that produced them, so far as I can tell. Most period ads referred to them as "Laskin Lamb Jackets" or "Laskin Lamb Cossack Jackets", after the waist-length cut.

The panels on the originals were not bear skin- they were generally "Laskin Lamb", which was a type of mouton fur (electrically straightened sheepskin). Some ads refer to the panels as being "electrified wombat", but that's more than likely to just be another trade term for the same sheepskin.

 

[Stearmen]

I get the impression that the term "grizzly" is fairly recent, coined by modern collectors. It wasn't used by any of the companies that produced them, so far as I can tell. Most period ads referred to them as "Laskin Lamb Jackets" or "Laskin Lamb Cossack Jackets", after the waist-length cut.

The panels on the originals were not bear skin- they were generally "Laskin Lamb", which was a type of mouton fur (electrically straightened sheepskin). Some ads refer to the panels as being "electrified wombat", but that's more than likely to just be another trade term for the same sheepskin.

You are right, the vast majority were as you describe them! I did a quick Google search and found, there were exceptions, straight hair panels, mostly horse. I remember seeing one a while back, that looked for all the world like Holstein cow pattern. I suppose, any fur could be used on a custom jacket! Still, I think I would rather have yours, over a cow!

 

[Dinerman]

 

[Dinerman]

 

[feltfan]

What I wouldn't do for an electrified wombat jacket.
Dinerman, have you posted one of those ads?

 

[Dinerman]

I have them somewhere, but I can't seem to find my uncropped versions with the ad copy. I just ran a quick search and I'm finding a ton of the double breasted coat style ones with the "Wombat" trade name for mouton.
Here's one of those.

 

[feltfan]

You don't think that collar is actual wombat fur? It is lower-case after all.
Electrified wombat is just such a great phrase. Like something out of a
Captain Beefheart song.