Block Bilt / H & L Block Appreciation Thread

[tapado power]

Cool, I will keep you updated. My friend Jauregui, a movie industry leather tailoring specialist and former leather industry worker and designer, often communicates with, a former Cal leather seamstress. She no longer works for Cals. She is currently getting upholstery jobs from him. He also has some contacts like Federico that used to work with him at ABC leathers in East Los Angeles. I was at his house repairing and removing all the oil junk from the machine's 30+ years of build up in the machine's moving parts. I have other member friends here who often asked me about similar group projects. I have not proceeded with such requests, because I know the very high standards they expect. Additionally, I have known of only two tanneries I trust with their quality production. Lastly, I like Regius from this site. I have seen his work. I think he is a good person to get several of my project jackets started.

 

[jchance]

1944 issue of Esquire

 

[jchance]

A-2:

Foe the military/war, Block did 2 contracts:

 

[ABCD]

Very interesting design

 

[tmitchell59]

Very interesting design


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Most unique, odd pocket and belt.

 

[tamoko]

Have only this one. This is a Jacket wich you can see on John Chapman site as example for Block contract.
Most roomy M-422a I have. Like modern sz46.

 

[jeo]

My most recent Block. One of the nicest aviators ever made imho

 

[tmitchell59]

This folder has a variety of Block Jacket pictures. Too many to post here.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dQ4aPgCZYFN3uHEk8

 

[semolina_pilchard]

My most recent Block. One of the nicest aviators ever made imho

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@jeo what an absolute beauty. Congratulations!!!

 

[Woolwonders]

Via: @waitingroomvtg on ig

Amazing 30s block bilt he sold

 

[Professor100]

Very interesting design


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It looks like whoever designed this was having fun. Trying to find other ways to arrange the pattern. Maybe not entirely successful, but very interesting and cool looking.

 

[ABCD]

Swing and miss, unfortunately too small for me

 

[Biff42]

At some point since I got into the hobby of vintage leather jacket collecting, I became a bit obsessed with jackets from the Californian brand of Block Bilt, which were made by H&L Block of San Francisco.

The majority of the jackets I have seen with the Block Bilt label are top quality in terms of style and workmanship.

I briefly owned a really nice steerhide CHP but it did not fit:

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I then bought this cossack from eBay but found it to be not as described:

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I then gave up for a while, because daily searches led to nothing and I began to think that I would never get my hands on one in my size. Then, a few weeks ago, I randomly searched on Buyee Yahoo auctions and one popped up. The measurements looked right for me so I went for it, and I am glad I did.

It's a goatskin half belt with a Talon zipper date of August 1940 (H O). Love the design, front and back, and the cuffs have quite a unique strap & buckle which tightens them. It's in really good condition too.

It fits great, and for now the search is over!



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Please post photos of your Block Bilt / HL Block jackets! I will also dig out some old adverts that I found.

Dang, why are you selling this now? On to some new grail jacket? You might regret letting this one go.