can ANYONE please date my HERCULES JACKET/LABEL?

[Ryan Korkowski]

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!!!

 

[Seb Lucas]

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?

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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.

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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...

 

[bjoy]

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

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:

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

thanks for the info!

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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!

 

[Seb Lucas]

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.

 

[MudInYerEye]

Late 30's early 40's.

 

[Seb Lucas]

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.

 

[bjoy]

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?

 

[Dinerman]

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?

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.

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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?

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

 

[Ryan Korkowski]

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

***ww2 ended in 45 though***