California Sportswear Co. (CSC) aka Californian (1930s-1950s) thread

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This is thread started on 1950s or earlier California Sportswear Co. (CSC) aka Californian of Los Angeles.

CSC was a prolific maker of leather jackets between 1930s-1980s. They joined in a lawsuit to challenge the use of "made in California" Californian, by non-California makers. They prevailed c.1950.

CSC along with Roughwear Clothing were probably the top 2 suppliers for Sears and Wards. CSC was friends with Hollywood, using Ray Milland, Ronald Reagan, and other Hollywood names to advertise their products. They were big time in the industry.

Their leather jackets were of high quality. They also were very innovative, creating many interesting jackets styles. They also used the best leathers, assuming from the West coast. They were a "mass" producer in terms of numbers and comparison with other makers.

Note that they are unrelated to California MFG. Co. of Oakland, California.

“CSC, May Company, 1931” from USC archive, making leather jackets:

Ads (not on leather jackets):

Packaging:

1940s label, MW with CSC horsehide label:





1950s label:

 

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All Sears Hercules with “styled/made in California” label were made by CSC.

Braided:

Wool lining:

 

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Edit: as noted later in the thread, this style was made by LA Sportogs. CSC has its own variant of this style, as shown later in the thread.

1940s cat’s eye:

Same but unlabeled:

 

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1938 goat:

 

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Bill Kelso reproduces this style and calls it Surrogate by California. Bruce Willis who wore it in the 2009 film “Surrogates” (and still wears it).

Goodwear also reproduces this style and calls it Californian Ventura.

chrome-tanned steer:

chrome-tanned cow:

1940s HH:

 

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Wool sleeves, back, and collar, c. 1949:

Same jacket, CSC for Sears Hercules:

 

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CHP straight-zip, 1950s HH, straight back kidney panel:

chrome-tanned steer, with no badge holder:

 

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1940s “styled and made in California” Montgomery Ward HH label:

1950s:

 

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MW “styled / made in California” label, c.1950s half-belt. Sears has a similar jacket, c. 1947 made in California.

sold for $1300:

 

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goat:

 

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1941 Ward catalog:

c.1935 goat:

Same style in calfskin:

 

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Unlabeled 1950s, main zipper replaced, belt cut off:

Unlabeled, different lining, no belt or belt loops:

 

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MW “Western Made” HH:

MW “Western Made” cowhide:

 

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cape:

Monarch with Californian label:

 

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More Sears Hercules “styled / made in California” label, wool lining:

 

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pony hide:

 

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chrome tanned cow, with 2 stars on epaulet and 3 reinforced studs at pocket:

cowhide with 3 reinforced studs at pocket:

youth chrome-tanned steer, with 2 stars on epaulet and 3 reinforced studs at pockets:

 

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Unlabeled 1940s, with extra front pocket:

2 more unlabeled, with extra front pocket, and a badge holder:

 

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1930s goat aviator:

 

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