Dating Outerwear by zipper design

[JMax]

Serval sleeve zip of HH Fidelity IR

 

[JMax]

Talon Sleeve zip Hercules D pocket Cali

 

[JMax]

Talon Sleeve zip on Hercules HH

 

[JMax]

Brass Talon Sleeve zip on Sportclad

 

[JMax]

Brass Talon sleeve zip on Cal LAPD

 

[JMax]

Serval sleeve zip on Cal LAPD

 

[JMax]

Brass Talon sleeve zip on Oakbrook

 

[JMax]

Conmar/Conmatic sleeve zip on Cal

 

[JMax]

Serval sleeve zip on Cal CR

 

[Peacoat]

I have now included this thread in the Links to Important Threads section at the beginning of this forum. I have also incorporated the images of pulls and sliders that Jmax and Terry posted above—thanks guys. Additionally, I posted a fresh picture without the Photobucket super imposed images in the original post.

 

[Will Zach]

Beautiful zippers @JMax. Any idea of the age? Maybe if we combine these images with the collective knowledge of how old these jackets are, we can come up with dates for the zippers.

 

[JMax]

Beautiful zippers @JMax. Any idea of the age? Maybe if we combine these images with the collective knowledge of how old these jackets are, we can come up with dates for the zippers.

Sounds good. I will make a list of my jackets with at least an estimated decade of birth. Or maybe add something to each post.

 

[Will Zach]

Sounds good. I will make a list of my jackets with at least an estimated decade of birth. Or maybe add something to each post.

I am sure @tmitchell59 can add his info.

 

[JMax]

I am sure @tmitchell59 can add his info.

He better.

 

[tmitchell59]

I am sure @tmitchell59 can add his info.

Dating zippers to an exact year is going to be difficult especially for the 50s zippers which were basically unchanged.

The three below go back no later than c.1951 and they may go into 1971.

A very common Talon sleeve zipper that was first used in the mid 40s and goes on into 70s, 80s.

These are the zippers I am trying to date. The big T on the box is the later edition.

I thinking late 50s for this one below. I have a Californian with this zipper and consider the jacket late 50s.

 

[tmitchell59]

Here is a Dated zipper.

I documented this Hercules in the Sears Catalog as first appearing in the 1958 catalog. These Talons go back to at least 1958,

 

[JMax]

Dating zippers to an exact year is going to be difficult especially for the 50s zippers which were basically unchanged.

The three below go back no later than c.1951 and they may go into 1971.

A very common Talon sleeve zipper that was first used in the mid 40s and goes on into 70s, 80s.

These are the zippers I am trying to date. The big T on the box is the later edition.

I thinking late 50s for this one below. I have a Californian with this zipper and consider the jacket late 50s.

The bottom talon is on my Vanson. So it was also used considerably after the 50s.

 

[tmitchell59]

This is an unique zipper for the 50s with the Talon on the slider. Is the pull square ended?

They had "Triple marked" Talons in the 30s/40s, where the Talon is also marked on the slider. The Pulls are beveled on the sides unlike this example. The stop boxes would have been Sunrise style.

 

[JMax]

Yes, we discussed this zip back in April I think. Possibly a mash up of parts. Thanks.

 

[tmitchell59]

Ok, this Talon was in use from c.1958-1980s?

This Talon was in use from c.1945-1970s?

These Talon are used form c.1951-1980?

Tabuers c.1960 with the Talon Tear Drops witch started around this time. This jacket also has a common Talon main zip and sleeve zips.

The Tear Drops go well into the 60s. There are unmarked imitations. I would guess they were discontinued due to cost.