can ANYONE please date my HERCULES JACKET/LABEL?

• May 23, 2011

• #1

R

Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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I have an old Hercules jacket and would love to get some more information on it. I am not even sure what "type" of jacket it is. It is made from a black synthetic rubber material and is a tannish-orange color on the inside. it has four snappable buttons on the front and two button-less pockets in the front. the rear of the jacket is vented, and has a flap on the back. The collar is a dark bluish color corduroy fabric. If anyone could direct me to some old sears/hercules catalogs or references that would be helpful, too...
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

 

• May 23, 2011

• #2

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up

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I've seen these worn on ships - 1950's. Is it a nautical jacket? I'de love to know more too? How's the rubber?

 

• May 23, 2011

• #3

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Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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the rubber is actually in pretty good shape. There is one area on the inside of the button area that has some wear, i believe, or it could just be dirty...it needs to be cleaned, and i'm not sure what to clean it with safely. a little soapy water seemed to make it shine like new, but once dry it appeared dirty again. The bottons say "UNITED CARR" on them, if that is any help.

 

• May 23, 2011

• #4

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Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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i always figured it was older than that. i've seen similar hercules corduroy collars on 1930's models, and the label looks really plain. i could be wrong though...

 

Last edited: May 23, 2011

• May 23, 2011

• #5

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bjoy

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Ryan Korkowski said:

If anyone could direct me to some old sears/hercules catalogs or references that would be helpful, too...

Click to expand...

There are a bunch of old Sears and Spiegel catalogs here: http://www.wishbookweb.com/

This is an example of a 1930's label that I found:

 

• May 23, 2011

• #6

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Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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thanks for the info!

 

• May 23, 2011

• #7

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Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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Well, I searched through every one of those catalogs and found nothing. From the Hercules jackets I did see, mine seems like it could be pre 40s if not 30's. On the other hand, it could just be something that wasn't in their Christmas Catalogs. Anyone know where to find photos of Sears' old Fall Catalogs?
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP!

 

• May 23, 2011

• #8

Seb Lucas

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Australia

Corduroy collars are vey common on leather, denim and oilskin jackets. As common today as they were before the war. Of itself a collar like this does not reveal the age. My gut feeling is that this jacket is 1960ish.

 

• May 24, 2011

• #9

MudInYerEye

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DOWNTOWN.

Late 30's early 40's.

 

• May 24, 2011

• #10

Seb Lucas

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I think actor Alf Kjellin the leader in the 1966 Sinatra heist film 'Assault on a Queen' wears one. It's about a gang who re-float an old WW2 submarine in order to rob the Queen Mary.

 

• May 24, 2011

• #11

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bjoy

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Perhaps the 4905 number stamped on the lining gives us May, 1949, as a manufacture date?

I am wondering though why the label has no trademark on the Hercules name and no mention of Sears as the owner of that trademark.

Stamping the size information on the lining and using glue to fix the label seems odd too. Is this to cut costs, or does it imply a lack of skilled labor?

 

• May 25, 2011

• #12

Dinerman

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Stamping the size information on the lining and using glue to fix the label seems odd too. Is this to cut costs, or does it imply a lack of skilled labor?

Click to expand...

Probably a combination of it being an inexpensive workwear/utility piece and it being easier to have it be fully waterproof when there's no stitching through the rubber.

 

• May 26, 2011

• #13

R

Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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9

Still no luck any clues as to the label, even, perhaps?

 

• May 26, 2011

• #14

R

Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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9

still no definite leads. thanks for the suggestions so far. Noone is familiar with the actual label??

 

• May 26, 2011

• #15

R

Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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9

bjoy said:

Perhaps the 4905 number stamped on the lining gives us May, 1949, as a manufacture date?

I am wondering though why the label has no trademark on the Hercules name and no mention of Sears as the owner of that trademark.

Stamping the size information on the lining and using glue to fix the label seems odd too. Is this to cut costs, or does it imply a lack of skilled labor?

Click to expand...

perhaps it had something to do with WWII rationing? (i.e. levis painting fake threads on their back pockets at the time)

 

• May 26, 2011

• #16

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Ryan Korkowski

New in Town

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ryan korkowski said:

perhaps it had something to do with wwii rationing? (i.e. Levis painting fake threads on their back pockets at the time)

Click to expand...

***ww2 ended in 45 though***