Admiral Byrd Little America Sports Apparel

[CB1]

Does anyone know of any whereabouts of catalogues from the 1940,s or 1950,s?

I'm trying to date this jacket and check out the details

 

[Skyhawk]

If you can show the zipper puller, and the bottom of the zipper we can date it. If it has rivets at the bottom of the zipper, it is from before 1940. Also you can look up Gimbels. See when they went out of business.

 

[mulceber]

Also you can look up Gimbels. See when they went out of business.

1987 apparently, so that doesn’t narrow it down much.

 

[Skyhawk]

Wow ok, well I was curious and just threw the thread title in Google. This 1930's Grizzly jacket showed up so the company was making jackets in the 1930's. You can see the zip in this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195747488656

 

[CB1]

I had the zipper replaced in circa 1986, if I could turn the clock back!

Sorry

 

[Skyhawk]

That's a shame, however, It can be restored. There are fantastic reproduction 1930's zippers. You are in the right place to source one of those. Did the original zipper have rivets at the bottom?

 

[CB1]

Not sure tbh. I'm making a plan to use aero leathers in Scotland. Just wanted to check the details and give to them

 

[Skyhawk]

They have all the parts so that is good.
It's easy to tell about the rivets. There would be holes where they were removed

This is the puller that is on that 1930's Adm. Bird jacket from eBay. It's a early 1930's puller made by Talon and it was popular for use in civilian jackets of the era.

 

[CB1]

Ah I see, definitely no rivets. So 1940,s or 1950,s?

There must be a catalogue some where!

I have reached out to a few universities/ libraries so am awaiting responses.

Fingers crossed

 

[mulceber]

I don’t think there’s any reason to think it’s earlier than the mid-‘40s. The design screams post-war.

 

[CB1]

If I was guessing I would say 1950,s.

Aero may have some information, if I find out anything from them I'll post it.
They plan to investigate when they have the jacket in hand

 

[Kennyz]

Ah I see, definitely no rivets. So 1940,s or 1950,s?

There must be a catalogue some where!

I have reached out to a few universities/ libraries so am awaiting responses.

Fingers crossed

@CB1 - Maybe try a search on ebay for the old catalog, or an old advertisement...worth a shot.

Ken

 

[Skyhawk]

Ah I see, definitely no rivets. So 1940,s or 1950,s?

There must be a catalogue some where!

I have reached out to a few universities/ libraries so am awaiting responses.

Fingers crossed

Yes 40s to 50s most likely.

 

[Nickb123]

Not sure if this helps, but I found a pretty similar (as described) Byrd to yours; maybe someone can date the zipper. The photos are from a defunct eBay listing, but you can find them by googling “admiral Byrd flight jacket.”

 

[CB1]

WOW! That is exactly the same jacket.
My leather is in far better condition.
Thank you so much. I'm still chipping away at the research