Defense Workers horsehide jacket

[Gamma68]

I found an interesting jacket at a vintage clothing store yesterday. It's labeled "Briar Club" by M. Breier's Sons (different spelling). The tag below that is even more interesting: "Genuine Horsehide Made Exclusively for Defense Workers."

Four-button front with two hand warmer pockets with large flaps. Two-button cuffs. Plain back with a little flaking at the top of the right shoulder.

So it would seem I've found a 1940s-era jacket. Sized around 38-40. Lined in cotton.

Found an example of the same jacket in better condition on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-19...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Anyone know anything about M. Breier's Sons or a "defense workers" jacket? In what context would a company make a jacket in this particular style specifically for defense workers?

 

[Gamma68]

Anyone have any ideas about the origins of a "defense workers" jacket?

Maybe the tag indicates these jackets were made for workers at some particular factory. Or perhaps it was just some kind of sales gimmick.