Taubers of California

[AeroFan_07]

Anybody have ideas about how to get an MW replacement pull?

@photo2u might have an idea...

 

[photo2u]

@photo2u might have an idea...

The entire zipper is a replacement. A talon will work well for this particular tape. The originals were C&C crown types, and conmars or talons. All were very strong for those models. I have a newer version of this jacket with a solid zipper. I wondered why it needed to be replaced because the coat looks excellent for its age. It does not look like it is a survivor, or if it was abused.

 

[ton312]

Adding in my own little update here. I have a Taubers now in hand, this one being a newer model with the orange on black tag, and no "Horse Hide" tag or indication anywhere. Someone has tried to "lengthen" the back by sewing in place on the lower back at the kidney panel section. Other than that addition, this jacket was dry, but in good shape when it arrived. I have given it a good conditioning this afternoon, and will take better, outside photos tomorrow.

This jacket is too small for me. I took a chance from the ebay seller with minimal dimesons provided. So it will be going up for sale soon. Meanwhile, here's some as-received photos of this nice cross zip jacket:

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The Back addition -- Should simply cut it off? Or shall it remain?

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I had one with this label too. Was marked a 44” but fit like a small 40”. Pristine shape but was so small and short I didn’t even bother posting it. Around 2013 before the brand was really talked about much. I couldn’t sell it fast enough and it did sell fast on eBay. I’d love one of the type 111 jackets. These jackets seem to run very small for the tag size, if there’s one present.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Hard to say what to do about the added tail. It looks like it would keep the wind out for riding. However, the high back seems to be typical of Taubers styling. Did you end up making changes?

I actually left this one as-is for its ebay sale. The new owner asked me about places to have the alteration done, then after receiving it, sounded like he would do the "update" on his own.

I had one with this label too. Was marked a 44” but fit like a small 40”. Pristine shape but was so small and short I didn’t even bother posting it. Around 2013 before the brand was really talked about much. I couldn’t sell it fast enough and it did sell fast on eBay. I’d love one of the type 111 jackets. These jackets seem to run very small for the tag size, if there’s one present.

As you and I have both found out Tony, this is almost more common that accurate tag sizing, especially with true vintage jackets. At best, these "tag sizes" are only a suggestion.

 

[Retserrof]

Part 1/2

Okay, as promised, a post on my new Taubers I received. Sorry, but this is going to be packed with pictures and background story.

So, a while ago now I received my first Taubers - a black collared jacket that needed a replacement main zip and the lining to be fixed up. Most likely early 70s with this label but I'm no expert.



This jacket solidified my interest in finding more Taubers, so I went to work on keeping an eye out for Taubers in as many places as an Australian realistically can. In my search, I found many different styles (both currently available and long sold), some of which I posted earlier.

During that time, I came across very similar jackets to my first one, except that they seemed to be earlier versions made of horsehide and with older labels. I am currently deep on the hunt for one of these, shown below:



There are some differences between the older horsehide versions and my newer version. The two main ones I see are the addition of a windflap on my newer version, and the newer version has zipped cuffed built into the cuff design while the older version has no zips here.

Moving forward, I haven't yet found any older Taubers for myself yet. However, a couple months ago I managed to find what looked to be a brown version of the very same jacket style and size I have with the black jacket. Fast forward to now when I have finally received it, and all I can say is I am super thrilled.

Below shows some photo comparisons of both jackets I now own. These pictures show the jackets unzipped. P.S. I'm sorry for the unironed shirt, it's 33 Celsius here (91 Fahrenheit) so I just threw on whatever collared shirt and jeans that were closest to me.

 

[hieu]

Part 1/2

Okay, as promised, a post on my new Taubers I received. Sorry, but this is going to be packed with pictures and background story.

So, a while ago now I received my first Taubers - a black collared jacket that needed a replacement main zip and the lining to be fixed up. Most likely early 70s with this label but I'm no expert.

View attachment 767218

This jacket solidified my interest in finding more Taubers, so I went to work on keeping an eye out for Taubers in as many places as an Australian realistically can. In my search, I found many different styles (both currently available and long sold), some of which I posted earlier.

During that time, I came across very similar jackets to my first one, except that they seemed to be earlier versions made of horsehide and with older labels. I am currently deep on the hunt for one of these, shown below:

View attachment 767219

There are some differences between the older horsehide versions and my newer version. The two main ones I see are the addition of a windflap on my newer version, and the newer version has zipped cuffed built into the cuff design while the older version has no zips here.

Moving forward, I haven't yet found any older Taubers for myself yet. However, a couple months ago I managed to find what looked to be a brown version of the very same jacket style and size I have with the black jacket. Fast forward to now when I have finally received it, and all I can say is I am super thrilled.

Below shows some photo comparisons of both jackets I now own. These pictures show the jackets unzipped. P.S. I'm sorry for the unironed shirt, it's 33 Celsius here (91 Fahrenheit) so I just threw on whatever collared shirt and jeans that were closest to me.

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Great looking jackets the both of them. Both fit really well too!

 

[Retserrof]

Part 2/2

The pictures below show the two jackets zipped.



So the jackets have some differences despite being what is basically the same style. Firstly, the brown was hand tagged as a 42 and the black jacket untagged. Funny story though - when I did some home-fixed work on the lining of the black jacket, I unstitched the Taubers label and found a printed size 20 tag flipped inside!

Next, the brown jacket is about 10mm (0.4in) longer in the sleeve length and 15mm longer in back length (0.6in). However, the front length of the brown jacket is about 10mm shorter (note: the black jacket was originally the same front length but when I replaced the zipper, I gave the leather some stretching).

Another difference is in the cuff design. Both have the zipped cuff but the brown jacket cuff is noticeably taller. On top of this, an interesting detail is that both jackets have one internal pocket, but they are on opposite sides. I wonder if the black jacket started out life as a woman's jacket?

Lastly, the leather on both of these is very different. The black one is smoother and ever so slightly heavier. The brown one is grainier and a little squeakier, but it is also not nearly as broken in. I welcome any experts who could confirm both are just different steerhides or something else. Either way, both excellent.

A closer look at some of the detail below:



I love both of these jackets and I am continuing my search for others. I have not seen other brown versions of this jacket, but I have seen this brown leather used in other Taubers. I would say the black one is a few years older than the brown one. Both have Talon zippers, but I replaced the main zipper on the black for a modern YKK.

 

[Retserrof]

Bonus:

Below are some pictures of other Taubers jackets I have seen in my search.

 

[Chevalier]

After years of searching with no luck for Taubers jackets that fit me, a second one has shown up! It was upstairs in the clothing section of a local antique store.

I think it is a civilian copy of an A-2 jacket. This version has hand warmer pockets. It has the older Nob Hill label. The redwood color of the horsehide is just fantastic! The lining is in decent shape, but needs a cleaning. Any thoughts on the zipper? Is it the original?

@photo2u Is this the kind of restitching that you think can be done by hand?

I can’t tell if this is a botched repair attempt, or if one of the interlocking threads of the original seam just broke. From the other side, it looks like just the original seam.

I’m also curious about the knits.

I’m becoming less of a fan of totally replacing them because of how much new stitching needs to go into the leather. One sleeve cuff may be beyond repair, though. This jacket may be one of those that needs to be worn as is before making a giant restoration project out of it.

 

[tmitchell59]

Part 2/2

The pictures below show the two jackets zipped.

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So the jackets have some differences despite being what is basically the same style. Firstly, the brown was hand tagged as a 42 and the black jacket untagged. Funny story though - when I did some home-fixed work on the lining of the black jacket, I unstitched the Taubers label and found a printed size 20 tag flipped inside!

Next, the brown jacket is about 10mm (0.4in) longer in the sleeve length and 15mm longer in back length (0.6in). However, the front length of the brown jacket is about 10mm shorter (note: the black jacket was originally the same front length but when I replaced the zipper, I gave the leather some stretching).

Another difference is in the cuff design. Both have the zipped cuff but the brown jacket cuff is noticeably taller. On top of this, an interesting detail is that both jackets have one internal pocket, but they are on opposite sides. I wonder if the black jacket started out life as a woman's jacket?

Lastly, the leather on both of these is very different. The black one is smoother and ever so slightly heavier. The brown one is grainier and a little squeakier, but it is also not nearly as broken in. I welcome any experts who could confirm both are just different steerhides or something else. Either way, both excellent.

A closer look at some of the detail below:

View attachment 767234 View attachment 767235 View attachment 767236 View attachment 767237

I love both of these jackets and I am continuing my search for others. I have not seen other brown versions of this jacket, but I have seen this brown leather used in other Taubers. I would say the black one is a few years older than the brown one. Both have Talon zippers, but I replaced the main zipper on the black for a modern YKK.

I love this simple style of Taubers. They look great on you. Congrats on having 2!

 

[Retserrof]

I love this simple style of Taubers. They look great on you. Congrats on having 2!

I'll let you know if I ever find one in your size!

 

[tmitchell59]

After years of searching with no luck for Taubers jackets that fit me, a second one has shown up! It was upstairs in the clothing section of a local antique store.
View attachment 768064
I think it is a civilian copy of an A-2 jacket. This version has hand warmer pockets. It has the older Nob Hill label. The redwood color of the horsehide is just fantastic! The lining is in decent shape, but needs a cleaning. Any thoughts on the zipper? Is it the original?
View attachment 768065
@photo2u Is this the kind of restitching that you think can be done by hand?
View attachment 768069
I can’t tell if this is a botched repair attempt, or if one of the interlocking threads of the original seam just broke. From the other side, it looks like just the original seam.
View attachment 768073
I’m also curious about the knits.
View attachment 768070
I’m becoming less of a fan of totally replacing them because of how much new stitching needs to go into the leather. One sleeve cuff may be beyond repair, though. This jacket may be one of those that needs to be worn as is before making a giant restoration project out of it.

I have the same jacket in a dark brown. As far as I could tell, these are the earliest Taubers that were produced. That is a beautiful brown tone on that jacket.Similar to this vest.

Your zipper appears to be the original 1950s, mine has the late 40s. These are heavy nonsense leather jackets, made for work

 

[Chevalier]

I have the same jacket in a dark brown. As far as I could tell, these are the earliest Taubers that were produced. That is a beautiful brown tone on that jacket.Similar to this vest.

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Your zipper appears to be the original 1950s, mine has the late 40s. These are heavy nonsense leather jackets, made for work
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Thanks Terry! If it is likely the original zipper, I will try to get that section of the waist of my jacket repaired instead of replacing the knits and zipper. Your posts and videos are what really got me interested in finding Taubers. I am glad some of the jackets are still here in the SF area in attics and antique stores

 

[tmitchell59]

I am glad some of the jackets are still here in the SF area in attics and antique stores

I've got a few jackets years ago in attic stores, but nothing quite as nice as your Taubers find. I doubt they did much during the War and found their stride early post-war with the MC jacket boom. I've only seen a few in this style.

The "Civilian" A2 was probably the most popular post-war leather jacket. Every maker had their take on the style.

I got mine out, now I'll wear it out tonight.

 

[Retserrof]

A couple Taubers I saw on social media posts dated 5+ years ago but haven't seen them in this thread:

 

[Retserrof]

I had a Taubers cafe racer from the late 60/early 70s in steerhide turn up today. Sleeve lining is trashed (wasn't mentioned in the ad) but the rest of the jacket is stunning.

These steerhide cafe racers are different to earlier horsehide ones. It has action gussets on the upper arms/back and a single piece back without the upper yoke. It also has a front wind flap behind the main zip.

Shown zipped first, and then unzipped.

 

[Chevalier]

Beautiful jacket and the fit is spot on for you! One of the frustrating things about most of the Taubers that have turned up for me is their small size. This one is a great fit for you!

 

[Bennarion]

I had a Taubers cafe racer from the late 60/early 70s in steerhide turn up today. Sleeve lining is trashed (wasn't mentioned in the ad) but the rest of the jacket is stunning.

These steerhide cafe racers are different to earlier horsehide ones. It has action gussets on the upper arms/back and a single piece back without the upper yoke. It also has a front wind flap behind the main zip.

Shown zipped first, and then unzipped.

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It fits perfectly
Congratulations