Zippers

[Lady Day]

I love this thread!

I do have a zipper that is a bit curious to me, I was wondering if you lovely gentlemen could help me out.

Its in a hand made sweater from Wyoming (there is a Bronco knit on the back) I got in a vintage store a while back. I dont think this was its original use, but repurposed.

The maker is Clarks Coats (CC), but I have never seen teeth so close together. Any idea as to the zippers original use? Im thinking some sort of heavy jacket due to the color and teeth, but Im not sure.

Thanks gents,

LD

 

[Kassia]

I also found this..

On a CBC-produced miniseries aired in January 2007, The Greatest Canadian Invention; the Zipper placed at No. 8 on the list. It qualified because Sundback had been president of a Canadian-based company that was one of the earliest manufacturers of the zipper.

 

[eniksleestack]

Dating this Zipper?

Can anyone give me a reasonable guess for the era of this zipper pull?

If it helps, it was attached to this Asian-style gold lamé dress:

I was guessing maybe 40s or 50s, there are no tags so the zipper and the cut. look of the dress are the only clues to age. Thanks in advance for the expertise.

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

You may want to try the great zipper thread. I'm no expert on zippers, but the dress style reminds me of something 50s-60s, possibly even 70s. But then, it's that cheongsam style that doesn't change much from decade to decade. I'd say the zipper is your best bet at dating.

 

[aswatland]

Baron,

It's a description and a diagram (of how to install one). I'll see if I can find the booklet tonight...

Meanwhile...for your enjoyment, here's the bad boy of British zips - the 1940s Lightning, as fitted to WW2 Irvin and early bike jackets (this is on a Belstaff). The words rough, big and industrial spring to mind. When people on other forums call the RiRi's that ELC uses on its Irvin copies 'accurate', it brings a smile to my face...

Alan

I have just come across this old thread on zips and was wondering if anyone knows when the Lightning zip in the picture was first used? The earliest I have seen it used is on a 1940 contract Links Irvin.

 

[H.Johnson]

I also found this..

On a CBC-produced miniseries aired in January 2007, The Greatest Canadian Invention; the Zipper placed at No. 8 on the list. It qualified because Sundback had been president of a Canadian-based company that was one of the earliest manufacturers of the zipper.

Correct! I refer you to the classic text book, 'Talon: a Romance of Achievement' for the full story. See numerous references on previous threads.

 

[H.Johnson]

As far as a I can find out, Clark Coats was associated with Crown zippers.

I love this thread!

I do have a zipper that is a bit curious to me, I was wondering if you lovely gentlemen could help me out.

The maker is Clarks Coats (CC), but I have never seen teeth so close together. Any idea as to the zippers original use? Im thinking some sort of heavy jacket due to the color and teeth, but Im not sure.

Thanks gents,

LD

 

[H.Johnson]

Yes, so have I. And Crown, too...

I'm sure I've had one on an Army M-41.


B
T

 

[Dinerman]

On a 1943 Dated Canadian flight jacket.

 

[H.Johnson]

I have just come across this old thread on zips and was wondering if anyone knows when the Lightning zip in the picture was first used? The earliest I have seen it used is on a 1940 contract Links Irvin.

Lightning Fasteners began in 1926 and production was moved to the Witton site in 1927. That particular zip is postwar, but the basic design was unchanged since the early 1930s, although the method of manufacture and the materials changed. The earliest garments I have seen with that pattern were middle thirties, but I'm sure they were made before then. The first series of Lightnings looked more like Talons, due to the Sunderback connection (see previous threads).

Lightning, being an offshoot of Imperial Metals, was always interested in 'special metals' - most of which didn't work due to fragility!

The company closed in 1982. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

 

[aswatland]

That particular zip is postwar, but the basic design was unchanged since the early 1930s, although the method of manufacture and the materials changed.

The zip pull which I quoted is the typical of ones found on several of my wartime Irvins so it is clearly not post war. The earliest I have is on a 1940 contract Links Irvin jacket. I have not seen this type of pull on earlier jackets. I just want to know when this variety of Lightning zip was first made. My guess is late 1930s.

 

[H.Johnson]

The zip pull which I quoted is the typical of ones found on several of my wartime Irvins so it is clearly not post war. The earliest I have is on a 1940 contract Links Irvin jacket. I have not seen this type of pull on earlier jackets. I just want to know when this variety of Lightning zip was first made. My guess is late 1930s.

Andrew,

I own the jacket on which that zip is mounted, and I know definitely that it IS postwar - my uncle bought it new and I still have it. I don't rule out the fact that the zip may have been in stock for some time before it was installed, though.

I have seen the Lightning records in the Birmingham city archive, and there are illustrations of that particular pattern of zip well before WW2.

 

[aswatland]

Andrew,

I own the jacket on which that zip is mounted, and I know definitely that it IS postwar - my uncle bought it new and I still have it. I don't rule out the fact that the zip may have been in stock for some time before it was installed, though.

I have seen the Lightning records in the Birmingham city archive, and there are illustrations of that particular pattern of zip well before WW2.

I don't doubt it was bought post war, but may well be been made earlier. It was common for zips to be stockpiled and sold much later, a point Alan made last year. Your zip is identical to several lighting zips on Wartime Irvins in my collection, so even if it was made post war it is from the same pattern as used earlier. Thanks for clarifying that this style of zip dates from the 1930s.

 

[Dinerman]

grabbed these shots off the ebay.

 

[BellyTank]

Interesting...

A "transitional" Hookless/Talon..?
...and a Gusum- sounds a bit Swedish.


B
T

 

[Dinerman]

More recently ended ebay zippers

Kwik

Talon

 

[Feraud]

I recently saw a Waldes zip on a pair of men's dress trousers in a thrift shop.

 

[Dinerman]

ebay photo grab

 

[H.Johnson]

That's amazing! It's like seeing the impossible in reality!

This is like some of the early (pre-1920s) hookless fastener designs.

Do you know what it is?

 

[Dinerman]

It was on a sweater, which sold for just under a grand. The photos from the auction are all I know.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1920s-Vintage-Bulky-Knit-Sweater-1-2-Zipper-Chin-Strap_W0QQitemZ260326136372QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Men_s_Clothing?hash=item260326136372&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318