Private purchase/civi horsehide

[TonyL]

Got this recently at a garage sale but it’s a little puzzling to me. No label. Horsehide, knits feel the same as military, Conmar zip. Epaulets are well done. “Dad’s wartime jacket” of course. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[B-Man2]

Looks like a few of the civilian jackets that were made during late 1950s to 1970s time frame . Eastman Leather Company makes a similar jacket called the Air Comfort pictured below.

 

[MikeyB-17]

It’s not military issue, but it could be a military style jacket done by one of the military contractors. Think the waist knit has been replaced.

 

[TonyL]

It’s not military issue, but it could be a military style jacket done by one of the military contractors. Think the waist knit has been replaced.

Thanks- I think I saw a similar Monarch jacket at one time too.

 

[mulceber]

Yep, these things were all the rage back in the late ‘40s and ‘50s, through a combination of the after-effects of AAF recruitment advertisements during the war, and the leather jacket industry having just gained a lot of experience making flight jackets. Pieces like this are still pretty easy to find in vintage shops.

 

[B-Man2]

Well ..... didn’t expect to find one, but I looked just for the hell of it and I should have known better. Found a Sears Hercules for a very reasonable sum in a size 46 Horsehide in the UK . Soon to be repatriated to the US. Just broke my own rule # 14;
14. I’ve promised myself that I would never buy another jacket, but that was 8 years and 11 jackets ago.
Thanks Tony L

 

[Brent]

That Sears Hercules is really nice. Congrats.

Regards,

 

[TonyL]

I’ve promised myself that I would never buy another jacket, but that was 8 years and 11 jackets ago.
Thanks Tony L

You’re welcome!

 

[mulceber]

Great purchase, Burt! I’m excited to see fit pics!

 

[Maverickson]

Hi All,

I have a like (heavy) horsehide Monarch MFG version of that same jacket. The back and right front panels mirror Monarch's mil spec A-2.


The zip had been replaced which made it somewhat difficult to date the era. However, I'm aware that the version of label seen attached pre-dates 1948.

That jacket is sized Larger than my original size 50 Monarch A-2.

Note that it has a throat latch configured the exact same as seen used on my AN-J-3A Monarch. Albeit, the collar is sized the exact same as my Monarch M-422. Go figure.

Cheers, Dave

 

[mulceber]

I love that this thread is basically turning into the “show us your civi flight jackets” thread. I hope there’s more to come!

 

[Kevin.Two]

Drooling over these...