English 1930s Motorcycle / Cycling jacket.

[PADDY_M]

Gents - I've just saved a leather motorcycle jacket from certain death, lying in the dampness of an abysmal junk shop that had mountains of clothes just piled high and full of damp from the rain water leaking into the store. This jacket was falling apart, had mould and the guy who had the shop just didn't really know what it was. On inspection, I thought the leather was still pretty strong, no tears in it or rot. The lovely pre-war Lightning Zip was strong, just needed reattaching to the leather, as did the pockets and front leather French brace. It needed buttons (I have some 1930s caramel ones) and some TLC. When you show these orphans THE LOVE then they in turn will love you back in spades! A size 40 and the leather is light and buttery soft like the Cape Skin used for the American A1. Note how similar the pockets are to the later A2 jacket (in size and 'general ' style). I deliberated about replacing the elasticated waistband (it's like the fabric used for the American G1), but I decided to keep it as it is original to the jacket and the lack of elasticity does not detract from the overall jacket.

 

[dujardin]

that's a nice one

looks close to a flight jacket

 

[Falcon_52]

Nice rescue, Paddy! I have never seen one quite like it. Thanks for sharing.

Noel

 

[Roughwear]

You have made a great job of the restoration work Paddy. I hope you are intending to wear the jacket.

 

[PADDY_M]

Thanks Gents. As you'll all know already, back in the day, motorcycle jackets and flight jackets were pretty interchangeable, especially in the times of pre-war private purchases. Then post war, many surplus flight jackets such as A2s and Irvins were bought up by 'bikers' as seen in many photographs.

 

[Peter Graham]

That's a beauty. You certainly did a great job. What is it lined with ?

 

[PADDY_M]

That's a beauty. You certainly did a great job. What is it lined with ?

P1130464 by -paddymiddleton-


Cotton gingham type lining Peter. Thanks!

 

[STEVE S.]

Nice save Paddy! My Mrs. used to roll her eyes when I would come in dragging some old, stiff, moldy mess of a jacket, but doesn't seem to bother her after seeing what they turn into with a little TLC.

 

[PADDY_M]

Lightning Zip in the gorgeous Deco fantail design.

P1130509 by -paddymiddleton-

 

[FlyingYankee]

Great save, I love finding stuff like this

 

[Skyhawk]

Excellent work! Love the look of this one. Those casein buttons are really nice. A real rarity and being from the correct era, they add a nice finishing touch to the jacket.

 

[PADDY_M]

that's a nice one

looks close to a flight jacket

I think so

 

[Garylafortuna]

Beautiful jacket, wonderful restoration. Thanks for sharing. I'm confident that it once belonged to T E Lawrence.

 

[PADDY_M]

Beautiful jacket, wonderful restoration. Thanks for sharing. I'm confident that it once belonged to T E Lawrence.

It certainly fits that interwar period of motorcycling!! Thank you.

 

[MikeyB-17]

Underhill? It's Frodo Baggins' jacket!
Great job, Paddy.

 

[PADDY_M]

Underhill? It's Frodo Baggins' jacket!
Great job, Paddy.

Thanks chum!! loving your avatar with the two blokes in the Irvings!!

 

[MikeyB-17]

Great innit? On an HRD too! With cigars! Had to have it!

 

[PADDY_M]

Vintage French beret; Pants are 1940s work trousers (heavy); Boots are RedWing Gentleman Travellers; Shirt 1940's WWII US Army shirt with spearpoint collar.


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[PADDY_M]

Would it be a crime if I had a knitted welt collar (like an A1) added to the collar area? I have some spare welt and original 30's buttons (same as ones I've used on the jacket to restore).
Something I've been giving serious consideration to.

 

[Technonut2112]

Would it be a crime if I had a knitted welt collar (like an A1) added to the collar area? I have some spare welt and original 30's buttons (same as ones I've used on the jacket to restore).
Something I've been giving serious consideration to.

Nicely done restoration... While the jacket may look good with a knitted collar, these period jackets are getting more and more difficult to find these days, and should be preserved in as close to original condition as possible IMO. Now, if the jacket had a button-front instead of a zip, the prospect would be VERY tempting to me, but I would more than likely still leave it original.