50s Hercules Motorcycle Jacket by Sears

• Nov 18, 2021

• #1

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

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103

Location

Oakland, CA

Hello fellow vintage ghouls, I just picked up this gorgeous 50s Hercules steerhide jacket by Sears. Wanted to share photos. Not sure of the exact year. If anyone has info on that, please pass along. Also curious if anyone out there has the fur collar for this that you'd want to sell to me.

 

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• Nov 18, 2021

• #2

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

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103

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Oakland, CA

Here are some fit pics. I'd welcome feedback.

 

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• Nov 18, 2021

• #3

A

Aloysius

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3,449

Fantastic! This is the jacket that Aero’s King of the Road is built on, to my knowledge.

Given their good value for jackets, do you think Johnson might be able to make you a fur collar for it at a reasonable price?

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #4

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab

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2,273

what up, dude? You got a knack for finding great old jackets. Was actually wearing today the Cal you sold me last year. Amazing jacket, and that collar, speaking of which

The herc looks fantastic on you. Plenty of experts on here can give you a ton of info on what exactly you got.

Hope all is well.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #5

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages

103

Location

Oakland, CA

Aloysius said:

Fantastic! This is the jacket that Aero’s King of the Road is built on, to my knowledge.

Given their good value for jackets, do you think Johnson might be able to make you a fur collar for it at a reasonable price?

Click to expand...

That's a great idea about Johnson. I'll call them up. I live 20 minutes from their shop.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #6

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages

103

Location

Oakland, CA

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:

what up, dude? You got a knack for finding great old jackets. Was actually wearing today the Cal you sold me last year. Amazing jacket, and that collar, speaking of which

The herc looks fantastic on you. Plenty of experts on here can give you a ton of info on what exactly you got.

Hope all is well.

Click to expand...

Hey brother. I was wondering if you still had the Cal. Post some fit pics. Glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the feedback!

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #7

W

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up

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4,469

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SoFlo

Fantastic, mint jacket. A collection piece due to its condition.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #8

JMax

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10,291

Sweet jacket. One of my favorites.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/sears-motorcylce-jacket-history-1949-1963.101311/

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #9

T

TREEMAN

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2,442

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USA

She's a beaut !!

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #10

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages

103

Location

Oakland, CA

Will Zach said:

Fantastic, mint jacket. A collection piece due to its condition.

Click to expand...

Thanks man. I really love this jacket. It's the only leather jacket I own now, and has seen many wears over the past few days. The workmanship and quality are excellent. These were definitely made to last.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #11

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

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103

Location

Oakland, CA

TREEMAN said:

She's a beaut !!

Click to expand...

Thank you!

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #12

tmitchell59

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7,481

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Illinois

Nice one! Go to the link above on the Sears MC history. These particular jackets are discussed. Made in Cali label, Steerhide, through belt, stitched on Coin pocket.

Early to mid 1950s I believe is our research estimate.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #13

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages

103

Location

Oakland, CA

JMax said:

Sweet jacket. One of my favorites.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/sears-motorcylce-jacket-history-1949-1963.101311/

Click to expand...

Wow this is amazing. I read through a lot of the pages but am not clear what year my jacket is. What's your guess?

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #14

W

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up

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4,469

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SoFlo

Oh, you're the guy who picked up the Cal last year at a thrift shop for a song...got any suggestions for upcoming Powerball numbers, lol

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #15

JMax

Messages

10,291

VictorShadow said:

Wow this is amazing. I read through a lot of the pages but am not clear what year my jacket is. What's your guess?

Click to expand...

TM is the font of information on these (and others). Around early 50s.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #16

Carlos840

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4,920

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London

VictorShadow said:

Wow this is amazing. I read through a lot of the pages but am not clear what year my jacket is. What's your guess?

Click to expand...

If Dr Mitchel says "Early to mid 1950s", it is most likely early to mid 1950s...

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #17

jonbuilder

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3,561

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Grass Valley CA Foothills

The jacket does fit you well. It is typical of the 50s Sears D-pocket jackets with the 22" back length

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #18

jonbuilder

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Grass Valley CA Foothills

I do believe Terry is using his extensive library of Sears jacket catalog pages with images to date the jacket. The label is a good indicator of the date the jacket was marketed.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #19

tmitchell59

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7,481

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Illinois

VictorShadow said:

Wow this is amazing. I read through a lot of the pages but am not clear what year my jacket is. What's your guess?

Click to expand...

There is no way to tell the exact year of manufacture. This 1953 Catalog description is the first indication of the Steerhide, sewn on coin pocket, through belt (detachable). The "made in California" label was used in the early 50s. This is the only label with the size on it. I recall that not all Made Cali labels have the size.

Sears was the largest retailer of MC jackets. They used various suppliers through the years, hence the variety of jacket styles.

 

• Nov 18, 2021

• #20

AeroFan_07

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5,347

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Iowa

Sure looks good on you there! Nice snag.
I suspect that Johnson's can make you a very nice collar for it.

Good to see it's getting good useage again.