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My Vintage Barnstormers: An Affair Remembered & A Romance Re-kindled (and pics too)

Messages
10,977
Location
SoCal
The whole thing began innocently enough. I was fresh out of college, and in Paris for the first time. It was early October, and chilly in the vintage/antique outdoor market that Saturday morning. As I ducked into a stall to get out of the drizzle I saw her. She was on the larger side, but I felt myself falling for her right away. She was older, had quite a few wrinkles, and smelt of cigarettes but it didn’t matter to me. I was 24, and I had to have her! She wasn’t cheap, but we worked it out, and I brought her back to the states. We lived in New York where she got lots of complements, and became muse to RRL. I met others, but none quite compared. We had history. I fixed her up when her buttons fell, and slathered her with oil when she felt dry.
Time passed. I moved to California and got married. My beauty didn't quite fit in. She was too hot and too heavy for the warmer climate. When the kids were born she was moved out to the garage. Eventually I donated her in the hopes she might find another. I’ve secretly pined even though I knew we were all wrong for each other now.
Last year @Rabbit posted photos of his German find on the SJC forum, and I felt the old feelings returning. Then a few months ago he posted it for sale here. You guys know how it is…I debated for some time. Could it work out?
I dove in.
She arrived a few days ago, and wow! Here we go again…
This time it’s even better :)
She’s got all the bells and whistles I’m used to PLUS a few more. She fits like a glove, and is thinner than my first so I think we can make it work here in the sunny Southland. She’s built like a Panzer, and though she shows quite a few wrinkles and her skin is heavily patina’d I think she looks fantastic for an 80 year old. She might eventually need a little nip-and-tuck, but that’s fine by me. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.
Thanks @Rabbit!

So, on to the pics:
This one isn’t my ex, but basically the same- 1950’s French Barnstormer (taken from eBay)
ygRXdAC.png

tZBDLLl.png


My New Friend (1930's German):
7ivVxJA.jpg

C4qjlCr.jpg


Here is Rabbit in the new coat:
T4nUmQp.png


and here she is with her new Beau… Me! (I should probably be smiling)
NMHsyL6.jpg

bxQ42xe.jpg

zLhCgLh.jpg

eEWktGk.jpg


Details:
t9NnfoM.jpg

gtub6nb.jpg

SpvVBis.jpg

1uoWB5x.jpg

gFA62Dz.jpg

UQ2uw0b.jpg



I love how the backer buttons have the Star of David…considering it’s origins I really appreciate the touch.

Bpx56Qq.jpg


Check out the hide!
63RbXaR.jpg

Fmr4s6k.jpg


The leather is a bit thin at the elbows, but wow, what graining.
wCisggh.jpg


Thanks for your time Gents!
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,403
The details, design, style and especially the workmanship on these German leather garments is unrivaled. Like, this coat, there's no contest. I haven't seen anything like it even on the finest of Japanese reproductions.
 
Messages
10,977
Location
SoCal
You're right Monitor; the construction on this jacket is incredible. Just the collar stitching alone is artwork. No modern jacket I've handled compares. It's no wonder it's survived so well.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,314
Location
Iowa
Wonderful write up! You really could do a short story here. I also really love this 80 year old jacket, very hard to realize that many of these just literally got thrown in the trash at some point. Yours is better than mint, maybe better than new with the patina. And @Rabbitt seems able to take some of the best (and most serious) fit photos I have ever seen. Very, very cool! :)
 

Rabbit

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,561
Location
Germany
Wonderful presentation, Handymike. Thanks for sharing! This coat has the craziest patina I have ever seen, even among 30s German leathers. This hide has clearly become better with age.
 

sweetfights

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,222
Location
Canada
The whole thing began innocently enough. I was fresh out of college, and in Paris for the first time. It was early October, and chilly in the vintage/antique outdoor market that Saturday morning. As I ducked into a stall to get out of the drizzle I saw her. She was on the larger side, but I felt myself falling for her right away. She was older, had quite a few wrinkles, and smelt of cigarettes but it didn’t matter to me. I was 24, and I had to have her! She wasn’t cheap, but we worked it out, and I brought her back to the states. We lived in New York where she got lots of complements, and became muse to RRL. I met others, but none quite compared. We had history. I fixed her up when her buttons fell, and slathered her with oil when she felt dry.
Time passed. I moved to California and got married. My beauty didn't quite fit in. She was too hot and too heavy for the warmer climate. When the kids were born she was moved out to the garage. Eventually I donated her in the hopes she might find another. I’ve secretly pined even though I knew we were all wrong for each other now.
Last year @Rabbit posted photos of his German find on the SJC forum, and I felt the old feelings returning. Then a few months ago he posted it for sale here. You guys know how it is…I debated for some time. Could it work out?
I dove in.
She arrived a few days ago, and wow! Here we go again…
This time it’s even better :)
She’s got all the bells and whistles I’m used to PLUS a few more. She fits like a glove, and is thinner than my first so I think we can make it work here in the sunny Southland. She’s built like a Panzer, and though she shows quite a few wrinkles and her skin is heavily patina’d I think she looks fantastic for an 80 year old. She might eventually need a little nip-and-tuck, but that’s fine by me. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.
Thanks @Rabbit!

So, on to the pics:
This one isn’t my ex, but basically the same- 1950’s French Barnstormer (taken from eBay)
ygRXdAC.png

tZBDLLl.png


My New Friend (1930's German):
7ivVxJA.jpg

C4qjlCr.jpg


Here is Rabbit in the new coat:
T4nUmQp.png


and here she is with her new Beau… Me! (I should probably be smiling)
NMHsyL6.jpg

bxQ42xe.jpg

zLhCgLh.jpg

eEWktGk.jpg


Details:
t9NnfoM.jpg

gtub6nb.jpg

SpvVBis.jpg

1uoWB5x.jpg

gFA62Dz.jpg

UQ2uw0b.jpg



I love how the backer buttons have the Star of David…considering it’s origins I really appreciate the touch.

Bpx56Qq.jpg


Check out the hide!
63RbXaR.jpg

Fmr4s6k.jpg


The leather is a bit thin at the elbows, but wow, what graining.
wCisggh.jpg


Thanks for your time Gents!
Gorgeous color to the leather- sweeeeeet ! love the double breasted fit we have a WINNER.
 

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