plaidlining
New Member
I was asked in the Spanish Civil war thread to post some pictures of my 1930-1960 era British leather jackets. My immediate reaction was shock horror as I hate taking pix, but I do have a few in my files already for one reason or another - also some pics of jackets I've sold. If I have time I may add some more, but I think these are probably enough to give a representative idea of the main design features, viz:
Almost always brown. "A2" style patch pockets predominate. Button or snap cuffs. Leather or woven fabric waistbands. Plaid linings very common. Softer leathers preferred - cape, lamb, kid, calf etc.
This is a fairly early one, probably about mid-1930s. The previous owner bought it second-hand as a work jacket during WW2 and it's seen some use! The patch pockets are are actually inset and then top stitched. The knitted waistband was fitted by me as the original woven band was gone...just a few fragments left inside the lining. As soon as I find the right sort of material the knitwear is coming off!
Other end of the time scale: this one probably dates to the late 1950s but the style (bar the split back) is pure 1930s/40s
only the rear section is elasticated and this woven fabric is typical of the type used. I've never seen US style knitted bands before circa the late 50s
These two are probably 1940s and feature leather waistbands. The first is very unusual leather: pigskin
this one is very similar, by a company called United Supply, compare to the other United Supply example below.....(n.b. that isn't it's real lining but a Black Watch tartan shirt.....long story... the actual lining is red Royal Stewart)
This is a nice late 1930s one but you can't see much in the pic. The pockets are inset, slanted and chest high with button flaps and the collar similar to an A1 but suede not knitted. Waistband is the woven fabric type.
This one has similar pockets and waistband but no pocket flaps and conventional collar. 1950s.
This 1940s example was originally very similar to the pigskin and the United Supply above, but was modified by an 8thAF fighter pilot.....among other things he he added a fur collar and lining, using (what else!) a scrapped pair of B1 trousers.
Made by the good old CWS and probably dating to the late 1930s/40s this wreck is a very interesting example of early US influence.
....and this wreck is an interesting example of the big wave of US influence from the mid-50s onwards. Its basically the same jacket as the brown United Supply above - same label, same lining, same basic design, but they've jumped on the rock'n'roll bandwagon and fashionably Americanized it by making it in black and adding yoke seams....
Almost always brown. "A2" style patch pockets predominate. Button or snap cuffs. Leather or woven fabric waistbands. Plaid linings very common. Softer leathers preferred - cape, lamb, kid, calf etc.
This is a fairly early one, probably about mid-1930s. The previous owner bought it second-hand as a work jacket during WW2 and it's seen some use! The patch pockets are are actually inset and then top stitched. The knitted waistband was fitted by me as the original woven band was gone...just a few fragments left inside the lining. As soon as I find the right sort of material the knitwear is coming off!
Other end of the time scale: this one probably dates to the late 1950s but the style (bar the split back) is pure 1930s/40s
only the rear section is elasticated and this woven fabric is typical of the type used. I've never seen US style knitted bands before circa the late 50s
These two are probably 1940s and feature leather waistbands. The first is very unusual leather: pigskin
this one is very similar, by a company called United Supply, compare to the other United Supply example below.....(n.b. that isn't it's real lining but a Black Watch tartan shirt.....long story... the actual lining is red Royal Stewart)
This is a nice late 1930s one but you can't see much in the pic. The pockets are inset, slanted and chest high with button flaps and the collar similar to an A1 but suede not knitted. Waistband is the woven fabric type.
This one has similar pockets and waistband but no pocket flaps and conventional collar. 1950s.
This 1940s example was originally very similar to the pigskin and the United Supply above, but was modified by an 8thAF fighter pilot.....among other things he he added a fur collar and lining, using (what else!) a scrapped pair of B1 trousers.
Made by the good old CWS and probably dating to the late 1930s/40s this wreck is a very interesting example of early US influence.
....and this wreck is an interesting example of the big wave of US influence from the mid-50s onwards. Its basically the same jacket as the brown United Supply above - same label, same lining, same basic design, but they've jumped on the rock'n'roll bandwagon and fashionably Americanized it by making it in black and adding yoke seams....
