New in this forum. Help needed with Hercules Sears Jacket

Seb Lucas · Oct 21, 2011

To those who think it's 1930's I'd be interested in your reasoning. It looks 1950's to me in terms of the seams, the side straps and the buttons. Is the zip 1930's? I'm not sure it is.

As an aside, some leather companies made the same basic style with minor changes over many years. I have a 1950's jacket that was made in 1987. Same pattern and materials, from a family based leather wear company that didn't change anything, not even the labels, for four decades.

rodilla · Oct 21, 2011

I don´t know if it will serve, but the jacket has a label that says: ADJUSTABLE INNER COLLAR PAT. N. 1993705.
I have searched this number in the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE and it was registered in march 1935¡¡¡

Seb Lucas said:
To those who think it's 1930's I'd be interested in your reasoning. It looks 1950's to me in terms of the seams, the side straps and the buttons. Is the zip 1930's? I'm not sure it is.

As an aside, some leather companies made the same basic style with minor changes over many years. I have a 1950's jacket that was made in 1987. Same pattern and materials, from a family based leather wear company that didn't change anything, not even the labels, for four decades.

Seb Lucas · Oct 22, 2011

Registered yes. But was it actually made then?

MudInYerEye · Oct 22, 2011

Seb, I've collected leather jackets for over 20 years. It's a late 30's or early 40's jacket. It just is, deal with it. That's a late 30's Crown puller. That's a late 30's/early 40's Hercules label etc. These chinstrap leather Hercules jackets were made by Rough Wear incidentally.

ButteMT61 · Oct 22, 2011

Interesting info. Thanks guys.

rodilla · Oct 22, 2011

Thank you for the info.
What kind of leather? Horsehide, goatskin, cowhide?

MudInYerEye said:
Seb, I've collected leather jackets for over 20 years. It's a late 30's or early 40's jacket. It just is, deal with it. That's a late 30's Crown puller. That's a late 30's/early 40's Hercules label etc. These chinstrap leather Hercules jackets were made by Rough Wear incidentally.

Seb Lucas · Oct 23, 2011

MudInYerEye said:
Seb, I've collected leather jackets for over 20 years. It's a late 30's or early 40's jacket. It just is, deal with it. That's a late 30's Crown puller. That's a late 30's/early 40's Hercules label etc. These chinstrap leather Hercules jackets were made by Rough Wear incidentally.

No need to be prickly Eye - I'm happy to "deal with it" if you say there is evidence for that period. I'm just trying to get the facts and would be more impressed with the jacket if it were that old as the condition is fantastic. I have collected jackets since 1982 - but I am by no means an expert.

MudInYerEye · Oct 23, 2011

It's not a super-rare jacket. I've personally bought and sold at least seven or eight of them and seen dozens of others over the years. But, like everything else here in the states, things have kind of dried-up 30's-40's vintage wise. At least compared to how things were only ten years back.

Seb Lucas · Oct 23, 2011

MudInYerEye said:
It's not a super-rare jacket. I've personally bought and sold at least seven or eight of them and seen dozens of others over the years. But, like everything else here in the states, things have kind of dried-up 30's-40's vintage wise. At least compared to how things were only ten years back.

Yep, they're way harder to find these days and over here getting hold of old American HH jackets has alwasy been very difficult.

Man of Vintage · Nov 3, 2011

Beautiful jacket you have there rodilla!

Cicero · Nov 3, 2011

This is a killer Jacket.
I see you sitting on a motorbike with this jacket...Type 1950's triumph bike, or a sidecar.

Pegasus jackets · Nov 4, 2011

Hola Carlos! Welcome to the forum. That is a very well preserved and beautiful example indeed!

Judging from the shape of the "Crown" zipper pull on the front, the chain pull pocket zip, the pattern, and the adjustable collar I would venture to say its a circa late 1930's or early 1940's jacket. Its amazing that everything is so well preserved! Looks like the original zippers and buttons are all intact. That is rare indeed. What about the lining? Is it in good shape? The patina is just excellent! Congatulations on finding this treasure.

I can't tell very well from the pics but the leather could be horsehide or goatskin. Both were used during that period and both type of leather is very resistant to dry rot etc.

rodilla · Nov 4, 2011

Thank you Pegasus¡¡¡.
Yes it´s an amazing jacket. Zippers are original and lining is near perfect. The leather is stiff solid and heavy, must be horsehide. I suppose goatskin must be softer and lighter, but may be I am wrong.
Thank you again for your help.

Pegasus jackets said:
Hola Carlos! Welcome to the forum. That is a very well preserved and beautiful example indeed!

Judging from the shape of the "Crown" zipper pull on the front, the chain pull pocket zip, the pattern, and the adjustable collar I would venture to say its a circa late 1930's or early 1940's jacket. Its amazing that everything is so well preserved! Looks like the original zippers and buttons are all intact. That is rare indeed. What about the lining? Is it in good shape? The patina is just excellent! Congatulations on finding this treasure.

I can't tell very well from the pics but the leather could be horsehide or goatskin. Both were used during that period and both type of leather is very resistant to dry rot etc.

rodilla · Nov 4, 2011

Thank you Cicero.
I am glad you like the jacket.
In fact I don´t ride on motorbikes, just own a sad red sporty italian car

. Not a Ferrari of course [huh]

Cicero said:
This is a killer Jacket.
I see you sitting on a motorbike with this jacket...Type 1950's triumph bike, or a sidecar.

Pegasus jackets · Nov 4, 2011

rodilla said:
Thank you Pegasus¡¡¡.
Yes it´s an amazing jacket. Zippers are original and lining is near perfect. The leather is stiff solid and heavy, must be horsehide. I suppose goatskin must be softer and lighter, but may be I am wrong.
Thank you again for your help.

Glad to be of help Carlos. If the leather has a close "pebble" like grain then it is goat otherwise it could very well be horse. Both are great leathers and have their own characteristic charm which gets better with age.

I personally love Hercules jackets and the Pegasus brand is actually inspired by it (Pegasus was the winged horse of Hercules in Greek mythology).

Again, a very nice piece of history. Wear it in good health.

fl&wvmike · Nov 6, 2011

I have a pretty nice Hercules "Genuine Steer Hide" jacket, that is a dead ringer of the one that "Fonzie" wore on TV. I am sure that it is the same make and model.
FL&WVMIKE

rodilla · Nov 7, 2011

Thank you for the info.
On yesterday I come back to the shop where I bought the jacket. My friend told me that leather is for sure pony or horsehide. Cowhide and steerhide seem to be suppler and thicker hides.
[huh]

fl&wvmike said:
I have a pretty nice Hercules "Genuine Steer Hide" jacket, that is a dead ringer of the one that "Fonzie" wore on TV. I am sure that it is the same make and model.
FL&WVMIKE

vintageghost · Jan 16, 2013

Hercules

Your jacket is deflnitely 1930s the label and the way the way the back is stitched in a sun ray pattern attest to this.

New in this forum. Help needed with Hercules Sears Jacket

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