The rotten ones !

[Charlie]

Hello guys.

As I had announced previously, I'm starting to show you my collection ...

Some will be disappointed because I'll start with rotten jackets.
I speak here of the "red rot", the fear of all collectors.

Before sharing the rotten one, I just wanted to give you an overview of part of my collection ... (these are not rotten)

You know folks, the one you buy and when you've receive it, go into pieces.


I also requiring your expertise -not for any cure which is impossible-but for giving these old babes a birth date.

The first one is made out of...steer ???

the color is light brown

no tag, no label, not a thing

half-belt design, but I think, poor quality...a lot of pieces of leather...

zipper is a Talon. I guess this jacket is from the end of the 50's.

The second one is a little older :

the label say poneyskin, and Knopf of Boston.

also a half belt design but with elastic waist :

the leather is dry, and the stitching is going back to the coil wire...

the talon is the same as the one found on some a2, so I can date this jacket 1942-1950

The last one is the more intresting, but also a big piece of red rot !

I think the design is great :

made of really light horsehide

The taillor is SIERRA (from what I can read one the label, the rest is mystery)

Also Talon zippers

The back is pleated in an "art deco" way

The shape of the pockets is nice too

some intresting details

I think the last one is from the end of the 30's ?

That's all !

Thanks for your datation guys !

Charlie

 

[jack aranda]

Hi, Charlie:
Thanks for sharing the pics of these 'old soldiers'. The last one is a gem, or was. The shape of the pocket flaps, the stitch work around the breast pocket zipper, and the zipper pull itself are all incorporated into Aero's Hercules jacket. So, some of the sweeter features of these amazing jackets from the past are preserved in modern versions.

Nice long shot of all your jackets hanging in a row. All the various colors, styles, hides. Sweet. These early shots only build curiosity about the rest of the 'family'.

I'm not familiar, though, with the red rot. I can tell from the photos and your comments it is not a good thing, but, what is it precisely? A form of leather-eating mold? Irreversible?

Thanks again.

 

[Charlie]

Hello again,

Thanks for your interest Jack !

For the red rot definition, wikipedia is your friend :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_rot_(leather)

Regards

 

[zoomer]

Add a right-paren ) and you'll get there.

Short story: it's a chemical reaction producing, among other things, sulfuric acid. Eek!

It's mostly of concern to bookbinders. There are more of them than there are fellas who want to collect unwearable leathers.

 

[Charlie]

I assure you, my others jackets are in good condition!

These are youth's mistakes !

I have my own idea to find them a utility !

The fellow that has never bought a jacket rotten (or extrat ugly one, like Avirex...) whip me with a zip (a Crown please :mrgreen: )...


We progress more often due to errors that successes...

Charlie

 

[zoomer]

Some of those are fine candidates for repopping. You have saved some unusual jackets - that deco-back job in particular speaks to a day when skilled labor was cheaper than the materials.

Right there, that makes it all worthwhile.

 

[Charlie]

Some of those are fine candidates for repopping.

Exactly what was on my mind, the patern will be given by de stiching the jacket (the last one is the coolest, for you what's the date of birth 1930-1940 ?) and I think it will be possible to keep the zippers, buttons, the tags (for a touch of authenticity)...

I think it'll be a nice project !

Cheers

Charlie

 

[Charlie]

Picture of me wearing "the rotten ones" :
I'm 173 cm and 70 kg (5.67 fts, 155 pds)
the older jacket

good in the body but sleeves just a little short (1/2 inch)

the 40's, just perfect size

the 50's a bit large

Bye !

 

[Charlie]

This one is just similar pocket patern: ebay Item number: 400003513226