Dating Clothes by snaps

[Dinerman]

We've talked a lot about dating vintage jackets and other clothing based on the design of the zippers, but have discussed snaps very little. Research is a bit tougher on this one, so if you have something that can be dated accurately otherwise, I'd love to see what brand and what design of snaps it has so that we can assemble a chronology to use as a resource.

 

[Dinerman]

I'll start off with some examples by U.S.F., the United States Fastener Company. These are from about 1915.

 

[Dinerman]

USF and Carr merged in 1929 to form "United Carr". These have half "USF" and half "United Carr" parts, and date from around the time of the merger, when they would have still been using up old stock.

 

[Dinerman]

Very early production United Carr

 

[Dinerman]

Mid 1930s United Carr (ring type)



Mid 1940s United Carr (ring type)
Dot in between United and Carr


1960s United Carr (ring type)
Line in between United and Carr

 

[Dinerman]

Mid 1930s United Carr

 

[Dinerman]

Early 1930s United Carr ring snap

 

[Dinerman]

Anyone else have garments with datable snaps to add to this?

 

[Chevalier]

These snaps from a pair of driving/motorcycling gauntlets have me puzzled. USF I get, but not sure about C F Co? Carr fastener mid-merger? My guess is that the gloves date from the 19-teens or 1920s.

 

[jchance]

Mid 1930s United Carr

I have this same exact United Carr bottom snap with the bar in between (same font and letter spacing), but the top United Carr snap has the “H” in between. Dating to 1930s-1940s due to usage of pre-1950 cotton thread so your mid-1930s appears to be within the range.

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Additionally, Goodwear has some additional info on United Carr snap parts, all from Naval tool kits that were made in 1941. They include the United Carr snaps seen on so many original Type A-2 jackets, from the Anzo style to the ring snaps.

These Anzo snaps were developed and used by the Army as early as 1930, and they lasted through WWII. They are seen on the early A-2s in both pocket and collar, and after 1939, are only in the pockets.

These Ligne 24 large ring snaps are seen on Aero, Poughkeepsie, and AAF sheepskin jackets. These are very sturdy and easy to use. One can clearly see United Carr impressed into the socket base, and the backing half of the stud.

These Ligne 20 smaller ring snaps were seen on Bronco, United Sheeplined and some Cable Raincoat A-2s. They have a very clear United Carr stamp on the back piece of the of the studs.

These Rau Ligne 24 stud backing pieces would be used for Type A-1 jackets that have silver snap parts, and brown caps. These backing pieces are from the 1930s.

 

[Peacoat]

I have added this to the Important Threads section at the top of Outerwear.

 

[jchance]

United Carr Ads

1919

1947

1949

1966

 

[jchance]

6 mentioned contracts of vintage A-2 leather jackets with United Carr studs were:

Poughkeepsie 42-18248P
Aero contract 16160
Aero contract 21996
Aero contract 42-15142P
Aero contract 42-18775P

Bronco Mfg., Co. W33-038ac 1761 Large ring-stud unknown maker but most likely United - Carr

 

[jchance]

scovill mfg co

mid 1930s

1970s