Please help me identify this vintage leather jacket (2024)

Oct 29, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Hi, I recently purchased this beautiful leather jacket from a thrift store and couldn't find any info about the brand. I was wondering if anyone on this forum knew of this brand, and could tell me something about this leather jacket. I think it is horsehide. The leather is heavy and has a really nice look to it. The label says "The Hub Schneider's Oakland." I looked them up online and there's no info about the company. Hopefully someone here can help me. The fit is almost perfect. I've been looking for that perfect fitting cool vintage leather jacket for years, and this comes close. Unfortunately, it's a little snug, but I'll probably hold onto it until something better comes along. Anyway, hopefully someone on this forum can help me with info on this brand. Thanks!

Oct 29, 2020

Guppy

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 4,291

Location: Cleveland, OH

Re-labeled Cal Leather? Probably 60s vintage?

Oct 29, 2020

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 5,488

Location: Iowa

^^ This is what I was thinking too - Is there a little bit of "fur" inside each sleeve "cuff" area? Actually, does the Main zipper speak more of a 50's Talon?

Don't share where the thrift shop is, or it will get a sudden influx of very intersted customers. Looks like you got quite a jacket there.

Oct 29, 2020

Monitor

Messages: 16,576

Cal Leathers for sure, possibly made exclusively for a retailer as Cal was known to be doing. That's a guaranteed $400 - $500, should you decide to sell it. It's in an amazing condition, beautiful horsehide, all the right hardware, rarely seen shearling collar... I wouldn't let go of this one for anything less than $500.

Oct 29, 2020

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 8,748

Go buy a lottery ticket. Maybe lightning will strike twice.
Beautiful Cal. Beautiful condition.
More pics please.
B
Edit:
Show the hat too!

Last edited: Oct 29, 2020

Oct 29, 2020

ton312

Messages: 17,292

Location: Chicago

Guppy wins! That's a Cal. They made them for other cop shops like Louis the Tailor, etc...nice find!

Oct 29, 2020

ton312

Messages: 17,292

Location: Chicago

Wish I could find something like that in a thrift store! More than likely I'm the woman in the photo sifting through far too many coral colored polo's....

Oct 29, 2020

Will Zach

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 4,578

Location: SoFlo

Great jacket and a great story! Wow, congratulations!

Oct 29, 2020

Fiver64

Practically Family

Messages: 670

Location: Fountain City, WI

Wow. I never find much more than Wilson’s and cheap 70s suede jackets at thrift shops! That beauty looks bulletproof.

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Holy moly! Thanks everyone for your input.

AeroFan_07 said:
^^ This is what I was thinking too - Is there a little bit of "fur" inside each sleeve "cuff" area? Actually, does the Main zipper speak more of a 50's Talon?
Don't share where the thrift shop is, or it will get a sudden influx of very intersted customers. Looks like you got quite a jacket there.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a little bit of fur inside each sleeve cuff! When I saw it, I thought it was some cheap fix. I'll post photos of it when I get home tonight!

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

AeroFan_07 said:
^^ This is what I was thinking too - Is there a little bit of "fur" inside each sleeve "cuff" area? Actually, does the Main zipper speak more of a 50's Talon?
Don't share where the thrift shop is, or it will get a sudden influx of very intersted customers. Looks like you got quite a jacket there.
Click to expand...

My girlfriend owns a vintage store and so I go thrifting with her so she can get stock for her store. I never find anything cool. This is my first time. I'm hoping the stars have shifted and that this will happen more often!

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Monitor said:
Cal Leathers for sure, possibly made exclusively for a retailer as Cal was known to be doing. That's a guaranteed $400 - $500, should you decide to sell it. It's in an amazing condition, beautiful horsehide, all the right hardware, rarely seen shearling collar... I wouldn't let go of this one for anything less than $500.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I'd never heard of Cal Leathers. Have they been around for a while?

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

AbbaDatDeHat said:
Go buy a lottery ticket. Maybe lightning will strike twice.
Beautiful Cal. Beautiful condition.
More pics please.
B
Edit:
Show the hat too!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments! That hat is a new Lock and Co I bought a couple years ago. I'll post more photos tonight.

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

ton312 said:
Wish I could find something like that in a thrift store! More than likely I'm the woman in the photo sifting through far too many coral colored polo's....
Click to expand...

Lol, I'm usually that woman.

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Will Zach said:
Great jacket and a great story! Wow, congratulations!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Oct 30, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Guppy said:
Re-labeled Cal Leather? Probably 60s vintage?
Click to expand...

Did you guys decide if this was 50s or 60s vintage?

Oct 30, 2020

Monitor

Messages: 16,576

VictorShadow said:
Thanks for the info! I'd never heard of Cal Leathers. Have they been around for a while?
Click to expand...

They started off in 1927 so... Yeah, you could say that. Cal Leathers mostly did motorcycle police jackets with the Highway Patrol becoming their trademark style, but they did other jackets. Over time, their gear picked up in value tremendously and rightfully so, too. Cal jackets are considered to be some of the best leather jackets ever made - certainly sturdiest, heaviest and of the highest quality - a reputation with which I personally agree.

You can check out their website for more info.
http://cal-leather.com/about

Oct 30, 2020

Guppy

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 4,291

Location: Cleveland, OH

VictorShadow said:
Did you guys decide if this was 50s or 60s vintage?
Click to expand...

I'm not enough of an expert, but I'd be surprised if it's 50s.

Oct 31, 2020

VictorShadow

One of the Regulars

Messages: 103

Location: Oakland, CA

Here are the fit pics some of you requested:

Oct 31, 2020

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up

Messages: 4,944

Location: London

VictorShadow said:
Did you guys decide if this was 50s or 60s vintage?
Click to expand...

I think the teardrop Talon zippers used on the pockets are 60s, not 50s.
Professor @tmitchell59 should be able to confirm that...

That's a very very nice jacket you found there, i have been looking for one like that that fits me for a few years now.

Edit: Bottom of the 1st page, teardrop Talons, 60s/70s

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/dating-outerwear-by-zipper-design.73884/

Last edited: Oct 31, 2020

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Please help me identify this vintage leather jacket (2024)

FAQs

How to identify vintage leather? ›

Vintage leather products pre-date the 1930s, and the best way to identify authentic vintage leather is by their unique features. They usually have imperfections like wrinkles and scratches, which is as a result of constant wear and tear.

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How to identify leather jackets? ›

Real leather has a unique texture and grain pattern that is difficult to replicate with synthetic materials. Look closely at the surface of the jacket - if it has a consistent texture or looks too perfect, it may be PU leather. Real leather, on the other hand, will have slight imperfections and variations in texture.

Is my leather jacket vintage? ›

A leather jacket is considered vintage if it features an old style. The term “vintage” specifically refers to anything that's at least a few decades old. When used in the context of leather jackets, vintage means a style that's at least 20 years old.

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How can you tell if a leather jacket is expensive? ›

To sum up, the cost of a leather jacket is determined by various factors, like the quality of leather, stitching details, inner linings, and many more. Purchasing a top-quality, expensive leather jacket is a one-time investment and can be highly cost-effective in the long run due to its durability and timeless style.

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How to identify original leather? ›

Genuine leather is typically soft, slightly stretchy, and has a grainy feel. Hold a piece in your hand, it will warm with your body heat, and real leather is always flexible. Faux leather feels cold, plastic-like, and it will not stretch. So, feel the fabric to identify a fake.

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How do you tell what type of leather you have? ›

Aniline Leather – Water drop will soak into the leather almost immediately. Semi-Aniline Leather – Water drop will sit on the surface and then slowly soak in. Pigmented (Protected Leather) – Water will sit or bead up on the surface and not soak in.

How old is a vintage leather jacket? ›

1. Vintage Leather Age. In regard to clothing, vintage technically refers to items 20 to 100 years old. (Anything older than 100 years is considered antique.)

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How can you tell a good quality leather jacket? ›

Genuine leather should feel smooth and supple beneath your fingers and should also be pliable, flexing easily without cracking or creasing excessively. Weight is another crucial factor. Genuine leather has a certain heft to it, so a good leather jacket should feel weighty and durable.

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What are the signs of old leather? ›

Signs of Wear and Aging

Over time, leather shows signs of wear which add character. Cracks and Patina: Full-grain leather develops a patina, a beautiful sheen that comes with age. Cracks can appear if the leather dries out. Scuffs and Scratches: These are common, especially on softer leathers like nubuck and suede.

How can you tell if leather is high quality? ›

Quality leather feels warm and soft and will have a very full grain - if it is too regular or smooth to the touch, chances are it is imitation or, at best, a lower grade of split-grain leather.

How can you tell cheap leather from expensive leather? ›

Appearance

Leather is a natural material made from real animal skin. Its surface structure should not be completely uniform and will include blemishes and imperfections. (Hints of imperfections are a good sign in leather.) A perfectly uniform grain indicates low quality.

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What is the difference between vintage leather and genuine leather? ›

Genuine leather is created by bonding together several layers of low-quality leather. The layers are glued together then painted to imitate the look of a higher-quality leather. “Vintage” leather usually refers to the highest-quality full-grain leather that has aged to a beautiful, burnished patina.

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How can you tell good leather from bad leather? ›

You can check if the leather is of quality by pressing the surface with your fingers. If small wrinkles appear on its surface and disappear in a few seconds, it is a sign that the quality of the leather is high. Odor, a good indicator of quality.