Leather Police Jackets

[Fifty150]

Interesting that the actual California Highway Patrol officers often go out without wearing their leather jackets.

 

[jchance]

Interesting that the actual California Highway Patrol officers often go out without wearing their leather jackets.
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They only wear leather jackets as climate dictates. I’ve lived in California for over a decade and have never seen the California motorcycle police worn a CHP in the wild actually. They often wear this short-sleeves (sometimes long-sleeves) navy shirt.

 

[Fifty150]

McGavin. He was partnered with Hodges. They worked CRASH, back in The 80's. CRASH & OSS units were not issued leather. They only got windbreakers.

They only wear leather jackets as climate dictates. I’ve lived in California for over a decade and have never seen the California motorcycle police worn a CHP in the wild actually. They often wear this short-sleeves (sometimes long-sleeves) navy shirt.

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[Edward]

Interesting that the actual California Highway Patrol officers often go out without wearing their leather jackets.












View attachment 742479 View attachment 742478​

They only wear leather jackets as climate dictates. I’ve lived in California for over a decade and have never seen the California motorcycle police worn a CHP in the wild actually. They often wear this short-sleeves (sometimes long-sleeves) navy shirt.

View attachment 742480

I remember watching "CHiPs" back in the early eighties; this short-sleeve uniform, but in the tan, is what I associate with them. That and the open face helmet. Iconic look, though as long in the tooth as I am now, I look at them and can't help but think "eesh, of one of them has an off, they'll be scraping him up with a shovel....". Sharp uniform, though. I'm not a fan of these more modern police uniforms that look more like gymwear... Hell, unbadged, that's a shirt cut I'd happily wear (and more or less have done, given how similar it is to ww2 era US Army shirts). A lot of good, forties/fifties looking clothes in my wardrobe over the years have been carefully selected, military repop. Only real limit is the obvious colour palette...

 

[TLW '90]

I've been here my whole life and have never once seen a CHP motorcycle officer in a leather jacket.
I rarely see the motorcycle officers at all though, so that could be why.

 

[TLW '90]

What do you guys think about these Chicago PD jackets ?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...plus-patrol-leather-jacket-like-new?a=3040836
I ki d of like the style and the features are cool, but I'm not into black and the 2 piece back makes me think they're a more recent likely less impressive quality piece.

I don't know the quality of NATES leather though.

 

[jchance]

What do you guys think about these Chicago PD jackets ?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...plus-patrol-leather-jacket-like-new?a=3040836
I ki d of like the style and the features are cool, but I'm not into black and the 2 piece back makes me think they're a more recent likely less impressive quality piece.

I don't know the quality of NATES leather though.

What size are you? I recall pretty small. That linked police jacket looks paper thin. I wouldn’t buy that.

Consider instead this 1950s Schott Dur-O-Jak, similar style with 18” pit (vintage sizing). Watch for $232 offer.

Pardon Our Interruption...

ebay.us

 

[TLW '90]

What size are you? I recall pretty small. That linked police jacket looks paper thin. I wouldn’t buy that.

Consider instead this 1950s Schott Dur-O-Jak, similar style with 18” pit (vintage sizing). Watch for $232 offer.

http://[URL]https://ebay.us/m/dIhpGs

[/URL]

View attachment 742665

I wasn't actually looking, I just saw it in my regular SPG emails and figured maybe somebody would be interested if they were any good.

I have no interest in owning a black leather jacket.

 

[Leigh H]

I’ve seen quite a few police jackets from the 30’s/40’s that have this inner tanned leather kidney panel. I can only assume it’s to protect the satin lining from ripping while rubbing against the large police belts?

 

[tmitchell59]

I’ve seen quite a few police jackets from the 30’s/40’s that have this inner tanned leather kidney panel. I can only assume it’s to protect the satin lining from ripping while rubbing against the large police belts?

All weather with the narrow leather band. I see this on West Coast jacket, California.

To protect the inner lining it makes sense to me. I don't see it on "civilian" jackets.

 

[Fifty150]

What do you guys think about these Chicago PD jackets ?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...plus-patrol-leather-jacket-like-new?a=3040836

It was made for more than one agency. Several different agencies. Because of the different color snaps and buttons. Each agency has it's own specification for uniform buttons. Some agencies have their own proprietary buttons. Patches were removed. I'm guessing that the manufacturer goofed up the order. Probably produced a batch, sent them out, and the police department sent them back. I look around, and I don't see any size small cops. The problem is that the jacket now has holes from where the patches were sewn on. That could be a problem is you wear the jacket in rain.​

 

[TLW '90]

The problem is that the jacket now has holes from where the patches were sewn on. That could be a problem is you wear the jacket in rain.

I don't wear leather jackets in the rain much, but my Taylor's CMPD jacket has removed patches and I don't even notice the holes.


I wasn't looking to buy the particular jacket, just interested in what people thought of them.

 

[Fifty150]

just interested in what people thought of them

I am interested in what it actually looks like, and who made it.

 

[AeroFan_07]

What do you guys think about these Chicago PD jackets ?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...plus-patrol-leather-jacket-like-new?a=3040836
I ki d of like the style and the features are cool, but I'm not into black and the 2 piece back makes me think they're a more recent likely less impressive quality piece.

I don't know the quality of NATES leather though.

There's some more information on these here:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/nates-leather.106786/#post-2890497

 

[Edward]

What do you guys think about these Chicago PD jackets ?
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...plus-patrol-leather-jacket-like-new?a=3040836
I ki d of like the style and the features are cool, but I'm not into black and the 2 piece back makes me think they're a more recent likely less impressive quality piece.

I don't know the quality of NATES leather though.

The ink won't let me see the page from where I am (seems to bed geoblocked), but if you're specifically after a police type leather, I'd consider Taylors: https://taylorsleatherwear.com/collections/mens-jackets

 

[TLW '90]

The ink won't let me see the page from where I am (seems to bed geoblocked), but if you're specifically after a police type leather, I'd consider Taylors: https://taylorsleatherwear.com/collections/mens-jackets

I was just curious what you guys thought because I saw them, I'm not looking.

Yeah my CMPD is a Taylor's from '91, these days their jackets are made in Pakistan and I have no desire to own one.

 

[Fifty150]

Taylor's is "authentic". Taylor's jackets are really issued by law enforcement agencies. Taylor's jackets are also sold by uniform companies. Real cops are wearing them.


I have Taylor's jackets. I can't see any difference from when they were labeled as "Appalachian Leather" and Made In The USA. The current Taylor's jacket looks and feels exactly the same. The leather is exactly identical. The build quality is just as good. Same heavy duty zippers, buttons, etc. None of the threads have broken. The jackets are not falling apart.

 

[TLW '90]

Taylor's is "authentic". Taylor's jackets are really issued by law enforcement agencies. Taylor's jackets are also sold by uniform companies. Real cops are wearing them.


I have Taylor's jackets. I can't see any difference from when they were labeled as "Appalachian Leather" and Made In The USA. The current Taylor's jacket looks and feels exactly the same. The leather is exactly identical. The build quality is just as good. Same heavy duty zippers, buttons, etc. None of the threads have broken. The jackets are not falling apart.

That may very well be, but I buy American whenever I can and especially avoid imported products that used to be American made.


If the quality is just as good then I'd consider them a good value in a more utilitarian jacket, I personally just have no desire to own one.

 

[Fifty150]

I buy American whenever I can

I like to buy American, if it's well made. That doesn't stop me from buying globally. Swiss Army Knives. German cars. Japanese motorcycles. Chinese electronics. Sometimes, there is no other option. Who has an American cell phone?

 

[TLW '90]

I like to buy American, if it's well made. That doesn't stop me from buying globally. Swiss Army Knives. German cars. Japanese motorcycles. Chinese electronics. Sometimes, there is no other option. Who has an American cell phone?

Yes victorinox makes great products, and yes sometimes there's no other option.
I don't avoid foreign made goods all together, I buy American first but have no problem buying products made in Europe or Japan and any standout products that bring something specific to the table.
For example I could buy a pair of Redwing Chukka boots, but they don't offer the wide toebox last of the JG vellies that I love so much.

When I say I prefer to buy American I also just mean that when possible I avoid buying products from countries where American manufacturing jobs are often sent to cut costs, I have no problem supporting other countries that are in the same boat.