Sears Motorcylce Jacket History 1949-1963

[jchance]

These are the earliest Sears Motorcylce jackets to date. The absence of a front pocket and large check plaid lining distinguishes it from the next generation which includes the front pocket and much smaller, more standard buffalo plaid lining in Red, Green, Black. Each of these variations do appear to be made by the same maker. The zippers on the No Pocket are mid-late 40s as also found on the earliest of the "standard catalog jacket", again they appear to be made by the same maker. It just seems to me the scarce No Pockets, were short lived and quickly replaced with the Catalog edition. The Wool lined jackets were replaced with Nylon lined around 1950/51. Each generation of the Sears Wool lined are scarce and probably made in small numbers.

I have not identified the maker of these jackets as yet. The small rivets on the belt loops is one identifier I am using.

The jacket below is from an ebay ad. If the jacket appears here in the future I hope it is shared with us.

I also have this jacket with no Hercules label, so this confirms my suspicions about the origins of my unlabeled jacket and it's relationship with the early Sears jackets. This is a common 40s Hercules label.

I was just made aware of Schott using the pocketless front and just posted a Schott built Beck with no pocket. Although I'm not sure of the age of the Beck, I'm guessing it is mid-late 40s like this Hercules. I will have to look more into the Schott.

I don't think these particular jackets have been noted in any of the jacket books. They are an important piece in Motorcycle Jacket history.

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Mine absent the Hercules label

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My theory is that the wool-lined early Hercules jackets with the gold-black horsehide label were made by Blatt of Chicago, which used the same HH label. Blatt’s name has been brought up before as a potential maker of early Hercules. The lapel’s W shape and angle, the trim leather pieces on the zippers, etc. all fit. Both Blatt and Sears were headquartered in Chicago.

Sometimes the two horses’ heads in the two labels for comparison are the same. Sometimes the horses’ heads in the two labels are slightly different though, if you look closely.

 

[jchance]

Custom Hercules by Roughwear, French seams everywhere. Back length looks extended to add length.

 

[jchance]

Hercules half-belt with interesting Steer label, crown zipper

 

[DRW62]

1958

The D pocket returns. Was not pictured last year. This one is proudly advertised as Horsehide.

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Economy and Fancy both in Steerhide. I don't recall seeing the vertical pocket often and not with the Hercules label as this are pictured. I will have to go back to that thread to refresh myself.

The Fancy model has the braided pocket trim. This jacket shows up several times and I seldom see this for sale.

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I wonder how one would go about taking advantage of the lining guarantee today?

 

[BizzAnt]

Wanted to add this unlabeled jacket to this thread for reference. I haven’t seen any “Perfecto“ style Hercules jackets such as this one before. Based on the information I’ve gathered from this thread, I do believe it’s a late 40’s Sears Hercules made by Blatt, due to the red plaid liner, orange pocket liners and general styling of the jacket. Let me know what you think. Is it a Sears Hercules? Is it made by Blatt? Did Sears even make a “Perfecto” style Hercules?

 

[BizzAnt]

 

[BizzAnt]

 

[BizzAnt]

 

[BizzAnt]

 

[TacoBael]

Custom Hercules by Roughwear, French seams everywhere. Back length looks extended to add length.

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These are some of the wildest customizations i've ever seen. Very cool example! What model was this originally?

 

[tmitchell59]

Wanted to add this unlabeled jacket to this thread for reference. I haven’t seen any “Perfecto“ style Hercules jackets such as this one before. Based on the information I’ve gathered from this thread, I do believe it’s a late 40’s Sears Hercules made by Blatt, due to the red plaid liner, orange pocket liners and general styling of the jacket. Let me know what you think. Is it a Sears Hercules? Is it made by Blatt? Did Sears even make a “Perfecto” style Hercules?
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Thanks for posting this interesting jacket. If this had a Sears label it would be a missing link, a Perfecto Stye with wool lining. Sears did sell Perfecto style jackets, but one with this lining has not surfaced. It does appear to be a Blatt of Chicago jacket, I have one in front of me, also unlabeled.

Blatt certainly made some of the early editions, California Sportswear also made some. All of these jackets were D pocket style. The first listed jacket were made by Blatt with the distinctive riveted belt loops. These rivets can be seen on the early jackets pictured in the catalog. At some point, unknown to me, the went to the style of attachment seen on your jacket. These wool lined Blatts were introduced in 1948 catalog and remain till 1951. Again these were all D pocket style.

The lining is not like the Sears labeled jackets, the interior is different, no hem lining.

Your jacket has the newer loop, so in the early 50s. By 1952 nylon lining replaced the wool.

Could be a missing link. Wait until another shows up with a Sears label

 

[tmitchell59]

These are some of the wildest customizations i've ever seen. Very cool example! What model was this originally?

Before the alterations this was a standard Sears MC jacket made by Roughwear Clothing.

 

[BizzAnt]

Thanks for posting this interesting jacket. If this had a Sears label it would be a missing link, a Perfecto Stye with wool lining. Sears did sell Perfecto style jackets, but one with this lining has not surfaced. It does appear to be a Blatt of Chicago jacket, I have one in front of me, also unlabeled.

Blatt certainly made some of the early editions, California Sportswear also made some. All of these jackets were D pocket style. The first listed jacket were made by Blatt with the distinctive riveted belt loops. These rivets can be seen on the early jackets pictured in the catalog. At some point, unknown to me, the went to the style of attachment seen on your jacket. These wool lined Blatts were introduced in 1948 catalog and remain till 1951. Again these were all D pocket style.

The lining is not like the Sears labeled jackets, the interior is different, no hem lining.

Your jacket has the newer loop, so in the early 50s. By 1952 nylon lining replaced the wool.

Could be a missing link. Wait until another shows up with a Sears label

Check out this Jacket I found on instagram. It looks to be another unlabeled one, the same Perfecto style, except with a black and white plaid liner. A tiny bit of label left intact, maybe someone could identify?

 

[tmitchell59]

Check out this Jacket I found on instagram. It looks to be another unlabeled one, the same Perfecto style, except with a black and white plaid liner. A tiny bit of label left intact, maybe someone could identify?

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I've seen this jacket with a Windy City label. Blatt of Chicago.

 

[BizzAnt]

I've seen this jacket with a Windy City label. Blatt of Chicago.

Thanks man!

 

[hieu]

Pretty sure this is the same jacket. It's labeled 'Champion Sportswear of Cincinnati'.

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[BizzAnt]

Pretty sure this is the same jacket. It's labeled 'Champion Sportswear of Cincinnati'.
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WOW thanks! That definitely looks like it. Any info on the company?

 

[tmitchell59]

WOW thanks! That definitely looks like it. Any info on the company?

This is a retailer label, probably a Blatt made.

 

[BizzAnt]

This is a retailer label, probably a Blatt made.

Awesome thanks, I really appreciate it!

 

[NAB]

A CSC with one of the rarer blanket linings up on ebay (for an eye watering price) at the moment. Not sure I've seen regular zippers on pockets before. Replacements?