Mystery Leather Jacket - Help!

[917_k]

Thought I recognised the jacket and one of the photos someone shared, Saunders Militaria (collector and seller of a whole array of awesome jackets) had one of these for sale a few years ago, seems from our expert Zeeky that he got the description wrong though:

Incredibly Rare 40's 50's Experimental Swedish Military Leather Biker Jacket — SAUNDERSMILITARIA

One of the most bizarre and unique clothing designs to ever cross my desk. We have never seen another example like this (except one semi-similar design in OD Canvas, that was apparently hand made). It has taken us a few weeks of research to even figure out what the origin may be. This is apparentl

saundersmilitaria.com

Amazing looking jacket and one hell of a find. Personally I’d keep it and ditch the YKK zipper for something more interesting.

 

[zeeky]

Thought I recognised the jacket and one of the photos someone shared, Saunders Militaria (collector and seller of a whole array of awesome jackets) had one of these for sale a few years ago, seems from our expert Zeeky that he got the description wrong though:

Incredibly Rare 40's 50's Experimental Swedish Military Leather Biker Jacket — SAUNDERSMILITARIA

One of the most bizarre and unique clothing designs to ever cross my desk. We have never seen another example like this (except one semi-similar design in OD Canvas, that was apparently hand made). It has taken us a few weeks of research to even figure out what the origin may be. This is apparentl

saundersmilitaria.com

Amazing looking jacket and one hell of a find. Personally I’d keep it and ditch the YKK zipper for something more interesting.

I could always be wrong, but there is sparse info I've seen to contradict.

 

[HonestHat]

Thought I recognised the jacket and one of the photos someone shared, Saunders Militaria (collector and seller of a whole array of awesome jackets) had one of these for sale a few years ago, seems from our expert Zeeky that he got the description wrong though:

Incredibly Rare 40's 50's Experimental Swedish Military Leather Biker Jacket — SAUNDERSMILITARIA

One of the most bizarre and unique clothing designs to ever cross my desk. We have never seen another example like this (except one semi-similar design in OD Canvas, that was apparently hand made). It has taken us a few weeks of research to even figure out what the origin may be. This is apparentl

saundersmilitaria.com

Amazing looking jacket and one hell of a find. Personally I’d keep it and ditch the YKK zipper for something more interesting.

It also looks like it sold it with that description.

 

[HonestHat]

I could always be wrong, but there is sparse info I've seen to contradict.

I think you are right. There are some buckles that don't seem to have any function on the jacket. People just took a glut of surplus pants and found something creative to do with them.

 

[HonestHat]

Interesting that the Saudermilitia jacket also has a YKK zipper.

 

[zeeky]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193251616118
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324221949264

here are the two links to those jackets I was talking about on Ebay, some similarities and some not so much.
maybe interesting to you HonestHat

 

[Nnatalie]

Do any of you all know whether this pants to jacket conversion would have been done by individuals on a single jacket basis, or if some (maybe small) company would have purchased a batch and made them into jackets?

Also, this has just been a fascinating thread to read and follow...I would certainly not have thought that the jacket had once been pants when I first saw the picture!

 

[917_k]

It might be worth dropping these guys a message HonestHat:

Broadway & Sons | Vintage Clothing & Military Surplus Online | Sweden

Shop handpicked vintage clothing & military surplus. Broadway & Sons offers unique military, workwear and sportswear. Worldwide Shipping!

www.broadwayandsons.com

They’re buyers & sellers of military & vintage clothing and are actually based in Sweden, so may have seen these jackets before and know something about them. They’ve been in the game a few decades, so know their stuff. Saunders Militaria May have a bit more info as well.

Either way I think you’ve ended up with a very nice jacket that’s possibly got some value to it.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Well that's an interesting read. I always learn something here and that jacket does sound as though you won't see another one anytime soon. I'd certainly give it the benefit of the doubt as a keeper for the sheer novelty.

 

[SydneyCollectorGuy]

To chime in rather late......that's definitely a Swedish civil guard comm/signals rider jacket...... I've got a much later version in gray canvas with a near identical layout
It's not a "mall jacket" at all and could fetch quite a sum on the vintage militaria forums