Granate Protektor Gauntlets by Wilson

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281022823601

These vintage gauntlets were made are “Granate”  Protektor sold by Wilson Brothers.  They are mitten style, with Wilson branded snaps.  They are in incredible condition, still soft and supple.  Perfect for motoring or motorcycle riding.  I’ve attached an ad from 1910 for similar models from the same company.  Size 9.

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Albert Richard leather jacket

This vintage leather jacket was made by Albert Richards.  It is their “Shetland” model, made of “Satintan” horsehide, with a “Beavertex” mouton collar.  It has an alpaca lined body and quilted lined sleeves.  The main zipper is a post-war Talon.  The prong is still attached to the zipper tape, but is coming away from the body of the jacket, so a new zipper may be in order. The pocket zipper appears to have had the puller chain replaced with a piece of wire some time back.  The jacket has a one piece back, knit waistband and cuffs, epaulettes and flannel lined handwarmer pockets.  The leather is heavily grained with a great patina.  There is definite wear to it, and some small light patches of paint, but there are no holes or tears.  The knits have some mothing, and it looks from the difference in color that either the cuffs or the waistband are are replacement.  The aplaca pile lining shows wear, where bits of the pile have worn down to the fabric. There are three ventilation grommets under each arm.
Chest (pit to pit): 22″
Sleeve (shoulder to cuff): 24″
Shoulder to Shoulder: 19-1/2″
Length (collar to hem): 26″PhotobucketPhotobucket

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Brown Columbia CHP jacket

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271103006052

This vintage leather jacket is in the “Coumbia” motorcycle style, the type worn by the California Highway Patrol. This one probably dates from the late ’50s or 1960s.  Usually they come up in black, so the brown leather on this one is unusual. This style was made by most of the big California makers, Langlitz still makes a nice version.  Due to the lack of tags, it’s hard to be positive whether the jacket is horsehide or a heavyweight steerhide. One way or another, it has killer grain and patina.  The jacket bears stitch marks from a previous zipper, indicating the current ’70s manufactured one is a replacement.  Likewise, it appears the jacket has been relined at some point, going by the different color collar snaps on the inside.  The sleeve zippers are Serval, and the pocket zippers have brass chains. The main zipper is missing the prong and is in need of replacement.  The zipper on the right sleeve has jumped its track.  There is heavy wear to the left cuff, and wear and patina to the leather throughout.  There is a half inch stab through the leather near the main zipper which goes clean through the front of the jacket when zipped, through at least four layers of leather.  There must be a story there.  There are mouton panels in the cuffs to keep the wind out when the sleeves are zipped.  The are attachment snaps for a detachable collar, now long gone.
Chest: (pit to pit): 23″ (doubled = 46″ = size 42)
Shoulder to Shoulder: 20″
Sleeve (shoulder to cuff): 25″
Length (collar to hem): 27″

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Early Issue G-1 leather flight jacket

This vintage leather jacket was made for the USN.  It is goat, with a real mouton collar.  It has an action back, knit cuffs and waistband, a windflap and an interior gun pocket.  There are stitch marks from a nametag from when it was issued.  The town, “Poultney, VT” is written in the lining.  The cuffs are replacements, and all the knits are in need of replacement.  The main zipper is Conmar, with what may be a replacement conmatic puller. The prong of the zipper is missing, as are some teeth by the neck.  The mouton is worn through and flaking. The lining is torn and repaired.
Chest: 22″
Sleeve: 24″
Shoulders: 17″
Length: 28″  PhotobucketPhotobucket

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Talon Zippers

There are many more patterns of Talon zippers out there, so consider this a (very) incomplete guide. It is interesting, though, to see the evolution of Talon sliding fasteners over the years, 1930s-1960s, in the design of their pullers and stop boxes.

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Monarch leather jacket

This vintage leather jacket was made by the Monarch company, a legendary leather jacket company of the golden era, who held an A-2 contract during the war.  This is an aviator / motorcycle style, with an asymmetrical front zip , two flapped pockets, and two map pockets.  It has epaulettes, belted sleeve cuffs, and a bi-swing half-belted back.  The main zip is a triple marked sunburst Talon. The tab on the male side (the side without the puller) is missing.  It’s still zip-able, but it takes a little bit to get the teeth to mesh initially.  The chain zippers on the two map pockets are also talons. There are two ventilation grommets under each arm.  The jacket is made of colt leather, a type of horsehide.  There is damage to the cuffs, and cracking to the collar.  The left shoulder has some flaking and the lining has wear and some moth damage.  This jacket has been worn and has acquired a fantastic patina over the years.
Chest: 22″
Sleeve (shoulder to cuff): 25″
Shoulder to Shoulder: 18″

 Top of Collar to Hem: 28″

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The Postwar Outdoorsman

Knapp moc toe hunting boots with ripple soles.
American Optical Aviator Sunglasses.
Horsehide A-2 leather jacket
zip front plaid railroad vest

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Allen Stockman Suit

I got this vintage suit in today. In the pocket was a letter from the original owner’s wife dated 1947. The original owner’s armed services honorable discharge pin is still on the lapel. I’m not clear on whether this suit is pre-war or immediately post-war, but it seems that it hasn’t been worn in 65 years.

If I had just seen the jacket of this, I would never have thought “suit”. The cut is classic sportswear, with a short body, button adjusters on the sides, an open collar and double buttoned waistband. The heavy material puts it squarely into the realm of someone who spends a lot of time out of doors. A real workwear look, especially with the construction of the pockets. Like some leather jackets of the period, there are suit style buttons on the sleeves. I would almost expect some sort of belted or sunburst pleated back on it, but other than the adjusters, it is just plain.
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This Eisenhower style jacket is unlined, with serged seams and a cotton reinforcement panel at the bottom edge.
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Now here’s where things really get interesting. It’s a suit! It has a button fly, wide fancy western style belt loops to accommodate a wide western belt. Watch pocket, and western style pockets.
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Made by Allen Brand
Stockman’s Garments
Denver, CO
Western Made for the Westerner

The jacket still bears the original owner’s ruptured duck discharge pin and American Legion pin
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Details of the Pocket and Cuff
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