New Old Stock find - Chicago Police jacket in Blue steer

Sometimes you never know what you may find in an antique/vintage shop. I took a wrong turn a week back outside of Cedar Rapids, IA and wound up going through town a different way. I try an not use GPS unless I really have to, I have been lost 3 or 4 times in my life, but today, like dozen's of other times, I took the scenic route. Today I was glad I did.

Pulling through downtown Marion, just east of CR, I noted an antique shop with some vintage library table-style desks which I happen to like. Heading inside, I looked them over closely, and then chatted with the store manager for a bit. I noted a display with several wool & leather jackets in one corner. Curious, I walked over and found a couple perfecto style mall jackets, then pulled this beauty out from behind a few other jackets:



Now I have to be honest here, overall this is a pattern I'm not super-crazy about. The pockets are stitched shut outside, however there are 6 pockets inside. It's a size 48, so it is a little on the large side for me. However, it's such a durable, and warm jacket overall that I really believe this is my new "winter jacket." Check out the inside:



As can be seen here there is a thick quilted lining, and a nice 4" wide fur strip at the bottom of the jacket in the back & around the sides to keep out the wind and keep in the warmth. Yes, it s a bomber style but again on a cold, windy (Chicago) day this would be the ticket. Keeps the wind out, keep you warm, moderately water resistant. Also has storm cuffs in the sleeves.

Branding and any information is a little tricky to find on this piece. Main tag indicates KALE uniforms, which is a store only.


Manufacturer tag is in the Lower Right side above the pocket as shown, appears to have been made in Canada -



And the back is a two piece design of Cowhide, nicely done I thought, with the dark, denim blue as shown.



Crazy thing to be is that is has never been used! There is no break in at all, inside or out. Still smells new and is just really waiting and wanting to be broken in! I'll be starting that process soon, once temps get down to the 30's or so. Way too warm for any August or September wearing here in the Midwest.

So - any one else have or had one of these? Even looking on ebay, I did not see many that were similar, and particularly not in blue.

That's a pretty cool find, but where are the fit pics?

That jacket is all work, all function, no fashion. Nothing wrong about that, and if that's what you want, and you don't mind being mistaken for a cop, it should suit you well. It really is amazing that you found something completely brand new at a thrift store. Nice find

PS I'd cut those outside pockets open and use them.

Guppy said:

That jacket is all work, all function, no fashion. Nothing wrong about that, and if that's what you want, and you don't mind being mistaken for a cop, it should suit you well. It really is amazing that you found something completely brand new at a thrift store. Nice find

PS I'd cut those outside pockets open and use them.

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Maybe it's where I live, but I don't think he would be mistaken for a cop by many people. Around where I live, the police usually wear their bullet proof vests on the outside and never wear jackets, let alone leather jackets. It is definitely function first though.

I really like those CPD jackets. All business. Along with LAPD & CHP (The Cali styles), and NYPD-style jackets, in my mind they round out the triumvirate of Police jackets. I would be extremely happy to find one like this.

Awesome find Randy! The ones I've seen on ebay always look beat to Hell....would love to see some fit pics. I've been tempted by this style many a time...

Nice find Randy: I never feel like police wearing my CAL LAPD I feel rugged special if I am ridding north of a bullet fourty in the Santa Cruze mountains.

Good pick up. Very few CPD wear this style any more. I’d be very surprised if new hires could get one at all. Kale had been the primary commissary for CPD and CFD for decades. They haven’t been for about 18 years so the jacket is at least that vintage. When nylon jackets became more popular the thrift market had quite a few cpd jackets around. They became sort of popular in an ironic sort of way with the punk rock crowd. Popular enough that cheap knock offs began appearing.

Nice find Randy!

Thanks guys, it's a unique piece indeed.

Fit photos - intentionally omitted for now. This thing it really stiff, and the photos I took were, well, not complimetary to any sort of FL fit and fuction. So those will get posted later on. Hoping it gets cold enough to indeed wear it this winter. It's good to note this coat was designed to be worn outside all day, on a rather cold and windy dat at that, so it'a more like a down-filled jacket in terms of warmth. Most of our typical subjects arond here are just not intended for such deep-freezes. It'll be a more limited use item here.

Stiff, right? Damn auto-correct

Nice score! You never know what you're going to find when you visit a random antique store.

I have a 1970s Canadian police jacket made by the same company. Found it at a local thrift store.

Mine has a Talon-branded zipper pull on the left-hand side with a Lightning Fasteners zipper stop.

Outdoor Outfits is still in business in Toronto.

Will Zach said:

Stiff, right? Damn auto-correct

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Yes thanks - corrected.