Zippers

[BellyTank]

The Sundbach "Separable Fastener" patent, of March 20th, 1917,
is number 1219881, IIRC...
But you may be referring to another, later patent.

I hope, upon return, the pages are separable...


B
T

 

[H.Johnson]

So do I!

 

[BellyTank]

French Connection II

Here is the vintage "Eclair" zip, on a 1940s, French Army Anorak.
The slider is decidedly TALON. No markings to the slider.

B
T

 

[BellyTank]

KYNOCH

Here is the Kynoch zip.
I would imagine that this is early to mid '20s at the latest, earliest possible would be 1920. Kynoch launched "Lightning Fasteners" in 1926.

This is such a solid stamping and heavy zip- the zip track measures almost 9mm across and the slider is 20mm across at its widest.

Reverse of the pull, stamp.

Reverse of the slider.

The zips are attached to a long pair of Ladies felted wool "spats", gaiters, leggings.




B
T

 

[H.Johnson]

Thank you so much. Note the similarity between the Kynoch slider (and track) and the early (but later) 'single trunnion' Dot sliders? Probably a design fashion rather than a company connection, as some have suggested, but interesting (to me, anyway...)

 

[BellyTank]

So, which company manufactured "DOT" brand zip fasteners?
Is it a relative of "Lift the Dot" fasteners? Any connection there?
Considering the "DOT" to be lifted is not really a "DOT".

Did you enjoy the "Elclair"?
Talonesque, nes pa?


B
T

 

[H.Johnson]

Mais oui, mon brave. Vraiment 'Talonesque'!

No connection that I know of (although I'm always eager to be correctly informed). The LtD fastener (still in production) had US patents and most of the Dots we have seen say Made in England or Made in GB, but their location has so far defied investigation. The problem with tracing zip manufacturers is that you can do it in small quantities on relatively small machines in correspondingly small premises. And, let's face it, except to people like us it's not the most glamorous of businesses. I suspect that if Lightning hadn't been part of ICI and later IMI we wouldn't know where they were made.

 

[Dinerman]

1933

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

1933

Has made 'whizzing' easier ever since.

 

[Wash In Lux]

Has made 'whizzing' easier ever since.

LOL! Very funny!

 

[Dinerman]

I've never seen this one before (photos from ebay- not mine).

 

[Dinerman]

Some ebay photo grabs of nice old zippers

 

[Bruce Wayne]

^^^I could find a use for alot of those^^^ Are the pics from a current auction?

Thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[Dinerman]

All from ended auctions.

 

[Eyes of Fashion]

Similar zipper

I have a zipper that is very similar to this one but is silver, it is in a 1930s surrealist dress. On the back is says Made in England. Can anyone help tell the story of this zipper. I greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thank You.

Here is a similar but earlier (cruder) version from the 1950s/early 60s.

Alan

 

[Eyes of Fashion]

Hi Alan,

Yes, i understand the stock control issues. At least dating a zipper can give you a maximum age of a garment, though, eh? You wouldn't happen to know when this style (below) was brought into use, would you?

Anyway, finally here are pics of the Lightning zip in that dress (God, zips are hard to photograph!).

Front of the zip-pull. Lightning diagonally from top left with two lines - one longer than the other - parallel to the writing above and below Lightning:

Back of the zip-pull. Embossed Made in England:

And probably more useful for dating. Does anyone know anything about the strange spot and dash label under the maker's label.

BellyT: love that Crown zip. Very cool.

bk

Alan,
Is there a way I can get the pictures of the lightning zip in the dress, I am researching a dress with lightning zippers as well.

Thank you.

 

[Dinerman]

Canadian Lightning

 

[Baron Kurtz]

There are so many cardigans with that zipper in london vintage shops that it ain't even funny any more. I really like that model of Canadian Lightning. It's one of m favourites from the era.

bk

 

[OLD GIT]

curved fly zippers

When I started manufacturing men's trousers in the late 60's, the fly zippers were all curved and in one direction. It was an understood fact that men, who wore boxer shorts, dressed to the left side and so the curved zipper created a natural shape to accommodate his manhood. There were of course an equal number of teeth! The curved zippers were around 8 - 9" long.

But the zipper in the pictured above IS curved.

It would help the front of the trousers to follow their natural contour,
as the fly descends toward the crotch seam, allowing a natural curve.

But one would wonder how "curved" a zipper can be, when it has the same number of teeth on both tapes...


B
T

 

[Dinerman]

Hookless Zipper on a vest made in 1933.

Talon on a WWII era leather flight suit.