Was Roughwear The Original Manufacturer Of The Iconic Hercules Jacket?

[Peacoat]

@tmitchell59 How did you know that was a chromatic? Most people have no idea what a chromatic is, nor the difference between a chromatic and a diatonic.

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[RiteStuffBryan]

Great spot Terry, I tried to clean the images up a little:

And colorized them:

 

[tmitchell59]

@tmitchell59 How did you know that was a chromatic? Most people have no idea what a chromatic is, nor the difference between a chromatic and a diatonic.

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From your message On the number 2 draw hole, Let me know you play the blues.

I play harmonica, I knew it was a chromatic due to the tone and his finger on the slide.

I will let @Peacoat explain, in Detail the difference between a diatonic vs chromatic harmonica!!!!

If he so chooses he can discuss the difference in playing positions for 2nd 3rd . This would require another thread!

Thanks again @Peacoat

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, I found the note about the #2 draw hole in a message I sent you: "Remember the only truth in life is how far you can bend that #2 draw hole."

When I played, I didn't play in 3rd position; only 2nd position. Too easy for me to get out of tune in 3rd position.

 

[Canuck Panda]

The Wild One does to jackets what John Wick does for guns. Hot damn. Watching the Wild one tonight.

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, I found the note about the #2 draw hole in a message I sent you: "Remember the only truth in life is how far you can bend that #2 draw hole."

When I played, I didn't play in 3rd position; only 2nd position. Too easy for me to get out of tune in 3rd position.

But, I should say that when I played chromatic (tuned to the key of C), I played it naturally in D Minor. That was the only key I played it in.

 

[Canuck Panda]

@tmitchell59 Not only GW but Real Mccoys also agrees with you that Roughwear is the manufacturer of the Iconic Hercules. They even go a step further to use the Roughwear label for their spin on the repro. Interesting how they only stitch the label three sided, is your vintage Roughwear labels stitched this way too?

And the full lining to the edge!

The MiUSA union label might have broken a few laws since RM is obviously not made in US but who is checking...

I think this was a RM NZ The Few jacket. (Japanese) Size 38 currently on Mecari:

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m17825381856

 

[tmitchell59]

@tmitchell59 Not only GW but Real Mccoys also agrees with you that Roughwear is the manufacturer of the Iconic Hercules. They even go a step further to use the Roughwear label for their spin on the repro. Interesting how they only stitch the label three sided, is your vintage Roughwear labels stitched this way too?

View attachment 498672 View attachment 498673
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And the full lining to the edge!
View attachment 498677
The MiUSA union label might have broken a few laws since RM is obviously not made in US but who is checking...

I think this was a RM NZ The Few jacket. (Japanese) Size 38 currently on Mecari:

http://[URL][URL]https://jp.mercari.com/item/m17825381856

[/URL][/URL]

I don't have one with that label. This is from my archive

This jacket design was patented in 1941, yet it has a "new" label. I have seen this Roughin label on 50s RW jacket. 1941 is probably the beginning of that label.

 

[jeo]

For anyone that may want to look into it.

 

[handymike]

@Jasonissm found this jacket being sold as a Roughwear. It has the same buttons, cuff details, back design, and inner collar as the Hercules:

 

[tmitchell59]

@Jasonissm found this jacket being sold as a Roughwear. It has the same buttons, cuff details, back design, and inner collar as the Hercules:
View attachment 499805
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A Roughwear just like my Hercules posted above. There is another on ebay currently

 

[handymike]

yep, same as this one....

 

[Brandrea33]

John Chapman‘s Hercules … latest labelling option.

 

[tmitchell59]

John Chapman‘s Hercules … latest labelling option.


View attachment 535586

Nice touch by John.

 

[tmitchell59]

This thread is one of the most informative threads related to vintage leather jackets. Glad all this got written down, I could not do it all today.

 

[Brandrea33]

Nice touch by John.

In discussing the jacket with John, he mentioned how he went to some lengths to reproduce the Roughwear label.

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us Terry. I also enjoy your YT videos.

 

[Brandrea33]

I came across this one today.

 

[tmitchell59]

I came across this one today.



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California Sportswear Company. That is their Horsehide tag.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Shoulder 19.5"
P2P 23"
Back 23.5"
Sleeves 24.5"

 

[handymike]

I believe this one is the Albert Richard / Fried Ostermann version.