National Park Service Fleece Jacket

Posted on by Rob Drews

This National Park Service fleece is made in the USA by VF Imagewear an official supplier to the NPS as well as other land and wildlife management firms and governmental agencies. VF Imagewear is also owned by VF Corp, owners of The North Face, Jansport, Smartwool and others.

This quality fleece has nylon lined sleeves so undergarments don’t bunch. The patch is sewn onto the fleece but covered by the lining indicating it was added during production. There’s also something resembling a name bar adhered to the inside right chest. Pockets are also nylon lined.

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1950s Lee Riders Half Selvedge Jeans

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage 1950s Lee Riders Half Selvedge Denim Jeans

Great 1950s Lee Riders. Half Selvedge denim construction with a Scovill Gripper Zipper zip. This particular pair of jeans measured about 28×28, but had been taken in at the waist and down the outer seams of both legs to construct a slimmer fit. The indigo was still dark,  a desirable trait for jeans of this age.  See my other Lee Riders post for an example of a slightly later pair.

1950s Civilian N-1 Jacket

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Civilian USN N-1 Deck Jacket

Example of a civilian model jacket design based on the N-1. The N-1, to a lesser extent of then the Air Force A-2, MA-1 and N3-B became somewhat legendary for being a well-serving, functional jacket. The problem is one had to enlist and end up in certain positions to receive one. Post WWII patterns and probably sometimes even surplus were converted for civilian use. Today you still see similar jackets being produced by everyone from Schott to Abercrombie and Fitch.

The Jacket seen here has a very similar cut and fabric composition as a Navy issue N-1. Unfortunately the liner is made up of a blended pile and not what would have been alpaca. Still the rugged cut and warmth make these civilian versions a great option for someone who wants the style at a fraction of the price for an original.

 

 

 

 

Vintage 1940s/50s Embroidered Lee 101-J Red Label Riders Jacket.

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Embroidered Lee 101-J 40s 50s Red Label Rodeo Denim Jacket Size 36

The red label on this Lee 101-J was used until around 1956. This particular style was introduced in 1948 as the Lee Rider Jacket according to Lee Europe’s website. Later examples remain almost entirely the same with subtle variations to the inside label. In future iterations of the red and gold label have the model and size highlighted in gold thread. The longer “bar” label also produced in red and gold on black. Sometime in the 60s, red was dropped entirely from the label.

This example is in particularly amazing condition for its age. Appears to be washed once if at all. Sanforized so shrinkage wouldn’t be of concern, but I can imagine it was washed or soaked once to ensure the indigo wouldn’t leech into the gold embroidery thread.

Not entirely sure the origin story of this jacket, but it’s probable the owner was a rodeo participant and the jacket a promotional item from Lee. Cheyenne is of course the capital of Wyoming and host to one of the largest, longest running rodeos in North America – Cheyenne Frontier Days, founded in 1897.

This jacket is available for sale.

 

US Navy Class 1 Cold Weather Flame Resistant Deck Jacket

Posted on by Rob Drews

These jackets are the same pattern as the A2 deck jackets but made with Aramid fire resistant material. Buttons on the A2 are replaced with Velcro. This jacket was from Point Mugu Naval Air Base.

1960s Moncler Lionel Terray Duvet Down Coat

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage 1960s Lionel Terray Moncler Duvet Down Coat

While Gerry Cunningham lead the “warmth without the weight” down movement here in the states,  the Moncler company followed suit on the other side of the Atlantic. The company founded in 1952 enlisted the help of famed explorer Lionel Terray to help with the design of its expedition weight jackets in early 1960s. The result is what you see here.

This particular coat was found with a coyote fur hood liner which was a later add. It had button holes around the edges for attachment to a NB-3 or similar military parka. Given the condition of the fur, which appeared to have been laundered, I decided to remove it and bring the jacket back to original. A solution of baking soda and water was applied to the heavily soiled areas around the collar cuffs and front and left to soak in the tub. You’ll see in the pictures the incredible amount of dirt that was released.  The coat was then agitated by hand and rinsed thoroughly.

These coats contain a great deal of down giving them the loft needed to sustain the wearer in arctic conditions. The two rows of snaps allow for an adjustable fit in order to accommodate varying layers of clothing underneath.  Zippers are not used as thy can be a hassle in arctic temperatures and a malfunction of one would be a pretty grim reality in the cold. The coat also does not have any pockets which could become filled with snow and create compromised areas for which the cold can make its way in. Candidly speaking, I rather enjoy having accessible pockets in my coat. See my post on the later REI Expedition Down Coat for comparison.

Authentic Vintage Lion’s Drag Strip ‘Class Winner Jacket’ Buddie Original by Alsup Enterprises. Bellflower, CA

Posted on by Rob Drews

This is an authentic Lion’s Drag Strip Class winner jacket. Mid-1960s era. Jacket is a Buddie Original by Alsup Enterprises of Bellflower, CA. Jacket appears to be garage worn, with some grease spots on right elbow, back of jacket an left elbow. Front has tiny hole near snaps that doesn’t go all the way through. Also some slight thread bare spots. Inside satin is dirty around the bottom third. Small hole on left inside lapel. Right armpit lining is a little blown out as well. Collar is dingy, but in nice shape otherwise. This jacket does have its condition issues. I am selling as is and leaving up to the buyer to either restore or enjoy in its original glory.

Ralph is chain stitched on the left lapel. My research indicates this would have been added by the winner and not included at time of presentation. Closest possible match I can find on a driver would be Ralph Hayes registered in 64 and 65 in a Chrysler Hemi AA/FD dragster driver out of California.

 

1960’s Lee Denim 91J Chore Jacket – Union Made in USA

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Vintage-Lee-Denim-91J-Union-Made-Chore-Jacket-Size-44 Have one to sell? Sell now Vintage Lee Denim 91J Union Made Chore Jacket

This iconic chore coat design was previously designated 91-J in the labels that preceded it. Prior versions using the older Lee logo where the tail of the L extends underneath both e’s. Besides label and button changes the design remains the same. Triple stitched seams, brass tone hardware and same iconic lines. Maybe the most tale tell sign is the three button cuff.  The jacket seen here has some beautiful fading and patch work on the lower tail end.

Filson Shelter Cloth Upland Bird Hunting Jacket Model 422B

Posted on by Rob Drews
Filson Shelter Cloth Upland Bird Hunting Jacket Model 422B

Discontinued  model 422B Filson upland hunting jacket. Base is a waxed cotton Shelter Cloth jacket with blaze orange shoulders up front and game pocket back. Shelter Cloth is Filson’s medium weight fabric allowing for good movement while maintaining weather proof durability. The blaze orange areas are not in shelter cloth, but a cotton blend. Soft collar lining sort of like moleskin. Game pocket is fully lined with Shelter Cloth.