Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[JurassicUtility]

Nice looking older size 42 Walter Dyer $85 plus shipping.
https://poshmark.com/listing/Walter-Dyer-thick-vintage-leather-jacket-6285557c9b5a4d793b509286

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I had one in size 36 before I sold it. Amazing pattern and fit, but FYI, the shell isn't real leather - it's more like synthetic sofa leather. If you examine a cut edge of the leather inside one of the pockets, you'll see the shell is made of two layers stuck together, the inner layer is some sort of textile, and the outer layer is some sort of platicy pseudo leather. The color also wears off pretty easily to a shiny white surface. It's a shame because these are really cool looking jackets, but I would definitely not go above $100 given the materials.

 

[Jumper]

I had one in size 36 before I sold it. Amazing pattern and fit, but FYI, the shell isn't real leather - it's more like synthetic sofa leather. If you examine a cut edge of the leather inside one of the pockets, you'll see the shell is made of two layers stuck together, the inner layer is some sort of textile, and the outer layer is some sort of platicy pseudo leather. The color also wears off pretty easily to a shiny white surface. It's a shame because these are really cool looking jackets, but I would definitely not go above $100 given the materials.

Wow. Did WD make a lot of faux leather jackets? I notice the label on this one just says "Walter Dyer," not "Walter Dyer Is Leather." Is that a coincidence, or a way of indicating it's not real leather?

 

[Monitor]

Wow. Did WD make a lot of faux leather jackets? I notice the label on this one just says "Walter Dyer," not "Walter Dyer Is Leather." Is that a coincidence, or a way of indicating it's not real leather?

No. This tag was used mostly on women's jackets. Mr. Dyer would not have ever, EVER used a fake leather. Ever.

 

[Jumper]

No. This tag was used mostly on women's jackets. Mr. Dyer would not have ever, EVER used a fake leather. Ever.

 

[gmcd]

View attachment 436704https://www.ebay.com/itm/185488518619?hash=item2b2ffa2ddb:g:wtcAAOSw~WJiw1fS

WOW this is super cool. I hope a TFLer snagged it...

 

[tmitchell59]

Hercules late 40s

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275375094878?hash=item401da27c5e:g:LFcAAOSwn2RixK6Shttps://www.ebay.com/itm/275375094878?hash=item401da27c5e:g:LFcAAOSwn2RixK6S

 

[handymike]

OMG!

 

[Claybertrand]

Hercules late 40s

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/275375094878?hash=item401da27c5e:g:LFcAAOSwn2RixK6Shttps://www.ebay.com/itm/275375094878?hash=item401da27c5e:g:LFcAAOSwn2RixK6SView attachment 436949

Killer!!!

I really like the Vintage Wool pieces------and @ton312 with his new Green Goblin from Aero is furthering the trend (altho his is clearly a modern repro). My concern with ALL of these awesome vintage wool pieces is with their integrity after all these years. Hard to find wool that doesn't have moth damage, snags, cig burns or other basic "fatalities" after so many years.

Look at all the wear the leather jackets take and figure someone wearing wool getting that same kind of wear. Obviously---they each have their own resilience and toughness. But with the True Vintage Wool, I'm squeamish buying high dollar items based on photos that may not show hard to see damage to the wool.

Other than the danger of buying Wool with holes in it, I find these Vintage Wool pieces very cool. Not as cool as leather----but in many ways more practical and comfy. This one looks excellent!!!

 

[handymike]

I had one in size 36 before I sold it. Amazing pattern and fit, but FYI, the shell isn't real leather - it's more like synthetic sofa leather. If you examine a cut edge of the leather inside one of the pockets, you'll see the shell is made of two layers stuck together, the inner layer is some sort of textile, and the outer layer is some sort of platicy pseudo leather. The color also wears off pretty easily to a shiny white surface. It's a shame because these are really cool looking jackets, but I would definitely not go above $100 given the materials.

I don’t think it’s fake leather. It is most definitely not Veg Tan Italian, but it seems in keeping with late 70s colored American stuff.

 

[tmitchell59]

I love these jackets. This is an earlier Hercules that I own. It came from Japan and has a movie prop sticker. late 1930s. I doubt I can wear the one above, but need to measure a few others I have for fit. These were very popular through out the 40s and seldom seen today. Sportclad was a popular label for these wools.

No label in this one, but high quality and probably a size 46

4th of July Sportclad

 

[ton312]

The vintage wools are so cool, just like leather jackets, the older ones are simply cooler looking. The older wools in wwearable sizes are so scarce. The few I've foud also tend to have exceedingly short sleeves. 23" seems to have been about the standard sleeve length, which is oddly shorter than the already short leather countrparts.

 

[Yamahana]

I love these jackets. This is an earlier Hercules that I own. It came from Japan and has a movie prop sticker. late 1930s. I doubt I can wear the one above, but need to measure a few others I have for fit. These were very popular through out the 40s and seldom seen today. Sportclad was a popular label for these wools.

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No label in this one, but high quality and probably a size 46

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4th of July Sportclad

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Argh, the no label is the one I posted because according to sellers measurements would be too small for me. If it’s in reality a size 46.. double ARGH!! I’d like to call dibs if you ever decide to sell it,

 

[tmitchell59]

Argh, the no label is the one I posted because according to sellers measurements would be too small for me. If it’s in reality a size 46.. double ARGH!! I’d like to call dibs if you ever decide to sell it,

I don't recall the numbers on this one. Seems big

 

[ton312]

I don't recall the numbers on this one. Seems big

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I do. Seller posted 22.5” and it scared me off. There were some pics of the measurements with a tape in the listing. I suspect they measured the chest erroneously. You stole that one as I recall the offer sent was quite laughably low. Should’ve made a move. In this game you can be only one of the two.:

 

[Yamahana]

I don't recall the numbers on this one. Seems big

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Oh yes definitely too big for you Terry, but it’d be a perfect fit on me.

 

[TSW]

Passaic, no measurements (small-medium), $75.00. https://poshmark.com/listing/Mens-B...rown-Passaic-Leather-623b6068f5c244a171537449

 

[Will Zach]

Passaic, no measurements (small-medium), $75.00. https://poshmark.com/listing/Mens-B...rown-Passaic-Leather-623b6068f5c244a171537449

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@photo2u

 

[JMax]

@photo2u

Photo gots something better heading his way.

 

[tmitchell59]

I do. Seller posted 22.5” and it scared me off. There were some pics of the measurements with a tape in the listing. I suspect they measured the chest erroneously. You stole that one as I recall the offer sent was quite laughably low. Should’ve made a move. In this game you can be only one of the two.:
View attachment 437024

I don't recall the price either. I do know I have paid top money for most of them. I did not go after the last one just recently. Too small and need of work. Brought $222

Oh yes definitely too big for you Terry, but it’d be a perfect fit on me.

I've sold a few reproduction wools, but not a vintage jacket. When they fit they seem to stay. I do have a too small Sportclad. I have several varieties and sizes. There seems to be an interest in them when they do come around.

There is the lack of the half-belt which is a negative to me.
It certainly looks quite nice, very tasteful jacket. Nice wool piece you don't often see. I do like this black Hercules label. Looks well tailored.

 

[JurassicUtility]

Wow. Did WD make a lot of faux leather jackets? I notice the label on this one just says "Walter Dyer," not "Walter Dyer Is Leather." Is that a coincidence, or a way of indicating it's not real leather?

I think the vast majority of Walter Dyer jackets found online are at least real leather, but the real good stuff is vintage. I want to say the original seller said they bought it in the 90s? Hard to find much information about the history of the Walter Dyer business online, but the hearsay on this forum is that their quality went down in recent decades:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/walterdyer.89374/

I don’t think it’s fake leather. It is most definitely not Veg Tan Italian, but it seems in keeping with late 70s colored American stuff.
View attachment 436972

Huh, I wish I had taken better pictures, but I distinctly remember that my specimen had two layers that appeared to have been glued or bonded together. If you look at that cut edge, is it all one layer? Leather that hasn't been dyed through is usually grey or brown in color, not white, so my suspicion was that the outer layer is basically painted synthetic material. I think I remembered incorrectly when I said the inner layer was textile. Of course that inner layer is leather, since it has a nap, but the color doesn't match what I show in the pictures below. Whether it's 100% genuine leather or not, I wasn't impressed with the quality. Walter Dyer is a business that was around for a long time, and it doesn't surprise me that some of their jackets were made 'to a price' and weren't made with the best materials.