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Vintage Outerwear: Threads of the Past

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,444
So here's my goatskin Block Bilt, probably late 30s? I've put about 25 hours of restoration work into it. Hand sewing is labor intensive lol. The only thing left to do is to replace the lining but I'll leave that to a professional.

I've seen a lot of halfbelt designs since I've gotten into this hobby and I have to say, this is probably the nicest halfbelt design ever made.

They went all out with the design. Nice V shaped back panel, full action back, buttoned side adjusters, buttoned front pockets (one functional the other ornamental), handwarmer pockets with flaps that are integrated into the front panels, buttoned cuffs (with buttons on the inside so you can shorten them by rolling them up). A beautiful Cuban collar. This jacket has it all.

Originally it came with shoulder pads but I removed those because I didn't like the power suit look. The jacket doesn't have a size tag but it is probably a size 44 or 46. Which is rather large for me but I made it work by replacing the worn out elastic gusset band by not one but two fresh ones. I also moved the front buttons about an inch inwards.
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tmitchell59

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,799
Location
Illinois
I do like the button version much better, give the jacket a new presence. Mine was quite small, as it is stretched on that form. It had the same incredible goatskin. I sold mine years ago as I had to reduce my goat herd to jackets I can wear.

They sure knew how to use goat skin. And such a design! They had some sense of creativity.

I never saw mine worn. I was curious how it would look. It looks good on you, interesting to see you in a zip version. Those "eyebrow" pockets remind me of East West jackets. They were in the same area, I would guess they were inspired.
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,444
It had the same incredible goatskin.
I've handled a bunch of goatskin jacket from the 40, a couple from the 30s. Most were thinner and felt harder to the touch than this one. This Block Bilt's goatskin looks and feels very luxurious. I'd describe it as thick deerskin but with a coarser top layer.
I never saw mine worn. I was curious how it would look.
Here's the grey one worn. Plus some extra pics of the jacket from when it was listed on ebay.

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Yamahana

One Too Many
Messages
1,064
Location
Buckeye, Arizona
So here's my goatskin Block Bilt, probably late 30s? I've put about 25 hours of restoration work into it. Hand sewing is labor intensive lol. The only thing left to do is to replace the lining but I'll leave that to a professional.

I've seen a lot of halfbelt designs since I've gotten into this hobby and I have to say, this is probably the nicest halfbelt design ever made.

They went all out with the design. Nice V shaped back panel, full action back, buttoned side adjusters, buttoned front pockets (one functional the other ornamental), handwarmer pockets with flaps that are integrated into the front panels, buttoned cuffs (with buttons on the inside so you can shorten them by rolling them up). A beautiful Cuban collar. This jacket has it all.

Originally it came with shoulder pads but I removed those because I didn't like the power suit look. The jacket doesn't have a size tag but it is probably a size 44 or 46. Which is rather large for me but I made it work by replacing the worn out elastic gusset band by not one but two fresh ones. I also moved the front buttons about an inch inwards.
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The epitome of the best classic 30’s - 40’s jacket. Button up makes it even grander in my humble opinion.
As good as it’s gonna get.
Great job on bringing it back to life thus far.
 

jeo

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,086
Location
Philadelphia
RW strikes again. What a player they were.

Indeed. Rough Wear and California Sportswear were the two most prolific makers of all time.

Ok, the 4 spot with the cool pocket? My favorite of that edition. This is the one I always thought was Blatt of Chicago.

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Yup that’s the one!

This one made by Rough Wear was the fourth edition of the cycle champ. This is the one Elvis wore. Here are two of mine.

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The one made by Blatt is the 3rd edition. The shape of the D pocket is completely different from the fourth edition. Here are 3 of mine, one black horsehide, one brown horsehide and one very rare brown steerhide.

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Here’s the one with the Blatt label.

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jeo

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,086
Location
Philadelphia
Does anyone have any info on Well Made Jacket Co? 40's jacket, very similar to StarGlove/Cal

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Just saw that guys IG post too.

There was a post not too long ago about Well Made Co. the jacket that was posted looked to be identical to a Taubers jacket.

This one is really cool and that back design looks like a Block Bilt.


 

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