Dry rot on a G-1?

[jschare]

A couple of days ago, I purchased a G-1 on ebay for $123 USD. A public thanks to Andrew who has identified it as a California Sportswear G-1 from 1960. I received it today and it's a very nice jacket, however, there is a really hard piece of the leather on the back, in between the shoulder blades. It's almost as hard a shoe leather and not very pliable. It makes the jacket sit kind of funny when wearing also. My question is, any idea why this is? Could it be dry rot? Ideas on how to soften it? Here's a pic. The circle is why the hard spot is.

 

[m444uk]

Dry rot is where the leather starts to turn to powder, often reddish.

G-1's from the 50's and 60's are really durable chrome tanned goatskin. Some leather treatment like Picards will soften it up.

I can't tell from the pic if your jacket is goat or cowhide ?

 

[jschare]

Dry rot is where the leather starts to turn to powder, often reddish.

G-1's from the 50's and 60's are really durable chrome tanned goatskin. Some leather treatment like Picards will soften it up.

I can't tell from the pic if your jacket is goat or cowhide ?

Goat

 

[Peter Graham]

Doesn't look like dry rot. An odd place for it too. Maybe someone tried to dry it out over a radiator or in front of a fire ?

 

[ciddu]

I suggest Pecard as well - it worked wonders on my jackets. It should soften the leather and prevent cracking.

 

[Peter Graham]

Just don't go too crazy on the Pecards. A little goes a long way.

 

[Andrew]

This is a very unfortunate example of a jacket suffering my understanding of rot. Top surface flaking away leaving exposed areas of suede like leather under. A real shame.

Formerly owned by Roger M.....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/G-1-Flight-J ... 35bd70273d

 

[bazelot]

This is a very unfortunate example of a jacket suffering my understanding of rot. Top surface flaking away leaving exposed areas of suede like leather under. A real shame.

Formerly owned by Roger M.....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/G-1-Flight-J ... 35bd70273d

"Cockpit Wear"...... :? :?

 

[Roughwear]

Old age!