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Kit Karson Jackets

Will Zach

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SoFlo
Okay, so momentum has built to start a master thread on Kit Karson. @Marc mndt popularized these excellent jackets recently on TFL. Very likely made by Wolf as a private label, these are high quality, typical 50s design horsehide biker jackets, but I have also seen bombers and and car coats with the Kit Karson label. Here's one I got recently, right after some Pecards, so it isn't that shiny anymore. Please post your Kit Karsons in this thread. You are also welcome to post your Wolfs for comparison. Any info on the Kit Karson brand is welcome.

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Will Zach

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Yes, I forgot about the Wolf thread. Great contributions from the members of the Wolf family there. I am wondering whether Kit Karson is a brand Wolf created to broaden the offering (different linings, styles, etc).
 

tmitchell59

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I was coming here to congratulate on this thread, then I happened on this Kit Karson above. The jacket above could be from the mid 40s with that square ended zipper. So something to add to the mix of Kit labeled outerwear. I may have others in my files. When I find one I will post it.


Did this advertisement have a date? Wool lined dates it late 40s in my mind, fading into nylon by early 50s. The same pattern all the makers followed as they moved to the modern fabrics.

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This jacket just fits you so well. The lining color is a big plus in my book and appearing quite clean. These early lined MC jackets are just the best of the breed, no mater the maker. They were quality competing with quality.

They have the east coast look. Do you all agree there were manufactured on the east coast? Wolf? Wolf was certainly selling their jackets without the Wolf brand label as above. This was common practice as seen with other makers. They could have produced the Kit MC jackets. I've seen few of the MC styles or any others. So this will be fun thread to contribute to.
 

Edward

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London, UK
Interesting stuff. There was a British Wolf brand that ran right into the Eighties doing bike leathers, though I rather suspect that it didn't have any connection to one in the US. Similar stylistic vein, though I don't think I've ever seen something from them I could confidently place before about 1970.
 

Marc mndt

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It's a very photogenic jacket with lots of interesting details.

Unusual quare belt end. Looking at the other jackets in this thread I wonder whether that was intentional or maybe the machinist wasn't paying attention and didn't follow the pattern strictly.

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Snap throat latch

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The handwarmer pockets and coin pocket have bright red lining while the chest pocket has a light grey one. Does yours have red lining too @Will Zach ?

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Some nice French seams

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