Dating Outerwear by zipper design

[semolina_pilchard]

i believe its 40s
https://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/dating-a-suede-jacket-with-lightning-zipper.70224/

and here
https://www.poppysvintageclothing.c...ski-jacket-hobby-togs-by-phimac-canada-size-m

Thanks for the links. They look similar, but slightly different.

The zipper on this dress looks to be the same: https://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/age-of-this-gown.57631/#post-575666. They suggested late 30s to late 40s for that dress, so 40s could well be correct.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Found an Insta page on vintage zippers and videos on them. Some rare designs are very cool.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Found an Insta page on vintage zippers and videos on them. Some rare designs are very cool.

View attachment 609366

Very cool. Thansk for that. I followed it immediately.

 

[NeutronStar]

Cool mini doc on YouTube that traces some zipper history, Talons, YKK —to current.

 

[Will Zach]

Cool mini doc on YouTube that traces some zipper history, Talons, YKK —to current.

Fascinating. I like the author's proper Japanese and Chinese pronunciation. He sounds like an expert on things Asia (and LLM processors). From zippers to semiconductor architecture!

 

[jchance]

https://www.mash-japan.co.jp/cgi-bin/plist.cgi?cno=83

 

[jchance]

2013 book on antique zippers, 1890s-1930s. Price $200. The clothes are interesting too.

Sample pages (captions by author)

JCrew’s review
https://jcrew.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F51653331251

 

[Iacovos]

Hello everyone
I need some help identifying these CONMAR zippers and also where to find replacements/repair kits (if they exist)?
This is for a 50's CHP CAL LEATHER
Thanks so much

 

[Iacovos]

Hello everyone
I need some help identifying these CONMAR zippers and also if where to find replacements/repair kits (if they exist)?
This is for a 50's CHP CAL LEATHER
Thanks so much

Regarding ZIPPER SIZE, i cannot see a number like 8 or 10 as i read about zippers. On these CONMAR zippers it show 43. How can i find the size in general? Measure teeth size?

Apologies for such questions but i am new into this

THANKS A LOT

 

[Peacoat]

Also

Regarding ZIPPER SIZE, i cannot see a number like 8 or 10 as i read about zippers. On these CONMAR zippers it show 43. How can i find the size in general? Measure teeth size?

Apologies for such questions but i am new into this

THANKS A LOT

Measure across the chain in MM. That is the size of the zipper. For instance, a size 10 zipper will measure 10 mm across.

 

[Iacovos]

Thank you so much @Peacoat

As per attached picture, measuring across the chain is the distance shown by the red arrow correct (closed position)?

Thanks again

 

[Peacoat]

Thank you so much @Peacoat

As per attached picture, measuring across the chain is the distance shown by the red arrow correct (closed position)?

Thanks again

Yes. Measure across the chain. The measurement will probably be 6 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm. I think there are some zippers that are larger than 10 mm, but I haven't seen them.

The measurement between 6 mm and 7 mm is hard to discern, but between 6 mm and 8 mm is obvious. There may be zippers made in odd number sizes, but, again, I haven't seen them.

 

[Grandville]

What an interesting topic, i am a sucker for vintage zips, this topic is very very helpful! Thanks much!

 

[photo2u]

Hello everyone
I need some help identifying these CONMAR zippers and also if where to find replacements/repair kits (if they exist)?
This is for a 50's CHP CAL LEATHER
Thanks so much

Those are strong #5 military zippers from late 40s to mid 50s. The tape will also work with the military bell shape conmars. In my view conmars are a little stronger than same period talons. During the Korean war production, Conmar produced excellent products. As priviously stated before, with the exception of the "big teeth" Talon, Conmar #10 military zippers are stronger than any American maker produced in the 50s.

Memorable #10 zip on leather Jackets
Talon "big teeth" zipper on the Durable jacket used by Marlon in the movie The Wild One.
Conmar Military zip on the James Dean Cal Leathers photograph in Time Magazine.

Lastly, in my view, the strongest zipper I have ever seen in #10 is a Riri. The former soviet air force used (repros?) them in their garments.

 

[photo2u]

Hello everyone
I need some help identifying these CONMAR zippers and also if where to find replacements/repair kits (if they exist)?
This is for a 50's CHP CAL LEATHER
Thanks so much

Hi, I have some of those zips. Also, they sometimes come up in ebay. I was wondering about your Cal, Does yours have the "big teeth" main zip? Cal,durable and Trojans were one of the first companies who were taking advantage of the military surplus materials (zippers,lining,thread and webbing).

 

[Iacovos]

Thank you very much @Peacoat and @photo2u

Your feedback is very interesting and intuitive!

So i have measured the teeth width on the sleeve zippers and it is a 5mm width

Have double checked and is indeed larger than #5

I need to repair the LH sleeve as the zippee has split. So far no luck but will keep hunting.

The main zipper of my Cal has 12mm zipper. Not sure if this size constitutes the zip as “big teeth” @photo2u .

 

[photo2u]

Thank you very much @Peacoat and @photo2u

Your feedback is very interesting and intuitive!

So i have measured the teeth width on the sleeve zippers and it is a 7mm width

Have double checked and is indeed larger than #5

I need to repair the LH sleeve as the zippee has split. So far no luck but will keep hunting.

The main zipper of my Cal has 12mm zipper. Not sure if this size constitutes the zip as “big teeth” @photo2u .

If you can, Please share images of the jacket and zipper so we can review it better.
Here are The big talon zipper and the big conmar. This particular talon is Olive in gold plated teeth, but most were produced in a very dark brown tape and teeth.

Lastly, your zipper is consider #5. Those Mil. zips were stronger that the average #5 conmars. At any rate, a #5 conmar slider will work properly.

 

[Iacovos]

If you can, Please share images of the jacket and zipper so we can review it better.
Here are The big talon zipper and the big conmar. This particular talon is Olive in gold plated teeth, but most were produced in a very dark brown tape and teeth.

Lastly, your zipper is consider #5. Those Mil. zips were stronger that the average #5 conmars. At any rate, a #5 conmar slider will work properly.
View attachment 775422

Absolutely correct @photo2u
Have corrected my earlier post.
Have re-measured with tailor's tape (that can get between the leather edges and align best with the fabric. It is a #5. Thanks for the advice that any #5 conmar slider will work properly (with the existing puller).
Thanks for sharing pics
Will send pics of the jacket asap

 

[Grandville]

Absolutely great craftmanship, they put everything into these!