How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[Claybertrand]

Ditto!
When the zipper on my Bootlegger went out after 1 month I had it replaced with a #8 riri. Didn’t overpower the look of the jacket but it was big enough to get the job done.

I don't have much experience finding old #8s when looking for vintage zippers. I don't even know if all the old makers made that size since I rarely see them. But it could well be the Goldilocks Zone for Ton wanting to go bigger but perhaps, not too big.

navetsea, that is an interesting point I didn't think much about. I'll bet a Fat #10 traditional pull looks pretty oversized on a 34-36. I don't always like the paperclip pull but it definitely has its time and place. You get the fat track but an understated pull which is cool and on denim no less!!!!!!

Ohhhh the joy of zippers!!!!!!!!!!

 

[El Marro]

I don't have much experience finding old #8s when looking for vintage zippers. I don't even know if all the old makers made that size since I rarely see them. But it could well be the Goldilocks Zone for Ton wanting to go bigger but perhaps, not too big.

I’m not sure about that either and the pull on my riri is quite distinctive and modern. I believe they do offer zippers with more classic and retro pullers.

 

[navetsea]

I don't have much experience finding old #8s when looking for vintage zippers. I don't even know if all the old makers made that size since I rarely see them. But it could well be the Goldilocks Zone for Ton wanting to go bigger but perhaps, not too big.

navetsea, that is an interesting point I didn't think much about. I'll bet a Fat #10 traditional pull looks pretty oversized on a 34-36. I don't always like the paperclip pull but it definitely has its time and place. You get the fat track but an understated pull which is cool and on denim no less!!!!!!

Ohhhh the joy of zippers!!!!!!!!!!

yeah this denim jacket not only is black, it has zipper too, must be an equivalent of labradoodle or maltipoo or other abominations not created by god

 

[Lebowski]

Ditto!
When the zipper on my Bootlegger went out after 1 month I had it replaced with a #8 riri. Didn’t overpower the look of the jacket but it was big enough to get the job done.

For Aero Bootlegger that's surely a great idea, completely agree. I'll possibly do the same with mine. Aero is an european maker (not discussing Brexit)) - so why not use the best european zipper then? Love some Aeros (Bootlegger incl.) but couldn't say the same about Aero's #5 zippers, they're often kind of weak indeed, just not the best repros of Talon to my taste, they'd better think of changing their zipper supplier. But even so Aero Bootlegger is a freaking awesome jacket still, just love it, it's one of my favorite patterns.
As for Riri, this old good Swiss maker should have any classic line in their program I suppose. Nice maker. Very nice.

 

[ton312]

The best thing about a riri zipper is the sound they make. I like them quite a bit too.

 

[handymike]

Yes, someone should get them to make an “Old style” puller. The only one I like at the moment is this:

 

[Lebowski]

The best thing about a riri zipper is the sound they make. I like them quite a bit too.

Yep, Riri sound pleasant and work very good. Good zippers, esp. for repros. Esp. for european repros. SB have quite noticeable advantage before most european competitors over there.

 

[ton312]

I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I think a #10 would look dumb on this jacket. It’s a beautiful chunk of HH. I’m in love with it. On the fence about swapping out the liner. It’s a heavy red nylon quilt found on many a sears/Hercules. Almost too warm and sagging out the back.

 

[ton312]

One more shot of the grain. I think this is honestly the nicest vintage HH I’ve ever encountered! I’ve had dozens of Hercs, Wards and Penny’s. This one takes the cake.

 

[Guppy]

I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I think a #10 would look dumb on this jacket. It’s a beautiful chunk of HH. I’m in love with it. On the fence about swapping out the liner. It’s a heavy red nylon quilt found on many a sears/Hercules. Almost too warm and sagging out the back.
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Yeah, do the liner. Go nicer.

 

[ton312]

Yeah, do the liner. Go nicer.

I’m thinking something lighter too. Will help the fit.

 

[JMax]

One more shot of the grain. I think this is honestly the nicest vintage HH I’ve ever encountered! I’ve had dozens of Hercs, Wards and Penny’s. This one takes the cake.
View attachment 246007

Looks like my oldest Cal. Perhaps better. Absolutely beautiful.

 

[ton312]

Looks like my oldest Cal. Perhaps better. Absolutely beautiful.

Dude I’ve been staring at it for two hours.

 

[JMax]

Dude I’ve been staring at it for two hours.

Done that. When you start fantasizing about applying conditioner, it’s time to put the jacket away.

 

[Claybertrand]

Dude I’ve been staring at it for two hours.

I've been staring at it since I opened this post!!!!!! Its so nicely furrowed.....the grain.... I'm glad you got a nice fit too man. Just killer!! You got it at a great price too I believe.

Mr. Frown picked up a similar Herc halfbelt in the last couple months as I recall. If you are interested in staying close to "stock" in your liner selection, mine (which is very similar to yours but a size up or so) has a cool burgundy medium weight nylon liner. It seems to be true nylon not a rayon blend. It feels sturdy yet its understated and much thinner than the quilted liner. Anything thinner than that quilted should buy you a little bit more fit room which may be as valuable as having the new liner material itself. Hopefully, the label can be salvaged as much as possible. I think going with a thinner liner is a really good call if you end up going that route. I never thought of doing that to gain a little better fit but it makes me reconsider now that you are considering it as well.

Thanks for the drool worthy pics!!! Congrats!!! I gotta get back to gawkin!!!

 

[ton312]

I've been staring at it since I opened this post!!!!!! Its so nicely furrowed.....the grain.... I'm glad you got a nice fit too man. Just killer!! You got it at a great price too I believe.

Mr. Frown picked up a similar Herc halfbelt in the last couple months as I recall. If you are interested in staying close to "stock" in your liner selection, mine (which is very similar to yours but a size up or so) has a cool burgundy medium weight nylon liner. It seems to be true nylon not a rayon blend. It feels sturdy yet its understated and much thinner than the quilted liner. Anything thinner than that quilted should buy you a little bit more fit room which may be as valuable as having the new liner material itself. Hopefully, the label can be salvaged as much as possible. I think going with a thinner liner is a really good call if you end up going that route. I never thought of doing that to gain a little better fit but it makes me reconsider now that you are considering it as well.

Thanks for the drool worthy pics!!! Congrats!!! I gotta get back to gawkin!!!

Yes and you and Lebowski were absolutely right. A YKK number 10 would look like **** on this jacket. There’s no doubt that anything over an 8 is too much. I gotta say this is easily one of my favorite jackets across a range of styles to date. This just feels amazing. I’m happy as a clam!

 

[Claybertrand]

Yes and you and Lebowski were absolutely right. A YKK number 10 would look like **** on this jacket. There’s no doubt that anything over an 8 is too much. I gotta say this is easily one of my favorite jackets across a range of styles to date. This just feels amazing. I’m happy as a clam!

Its so *****en man. The feeling when you get the right fit of a cool piece of true vintage is hard to describe to the uninitiated. The sizing was so different it makes it so hit or miss. And personally, like yourself, I love the halfbelt style American jackets. I have 2 Hercs--a HH and a Goat and yours is a little different than both of mine namely the front pockets. So cool to compare. I don't know what your expectations were, but it seems to look better in your pics than in the sale listing and I gather you are giddy! If it can take a conditioning, that'll stretch the fit out a little bit (in addition to your potential liner change). That Old Horsehide!!!!!!!!!! It's a freakin MOVIE jacket brother!!!!!!

These are really my favorite types of finds man--true vintage. I'm glad a worthy and appreciative soul got this jacket.

 

[ton312]

Its so *****en man. The feeling when you get the right fit of a cool piece of true vintage is hard to describe to the uninitiated. The sizing was so different it makes it so hit or miss. And personally, like yourself, I love the halfbelt style American jackets. I have 2 Hercs--a HH and a Goat and yours is a little different than both of mine namely the front pockets. So cool to compare. I don't know what your expectations were, but it seems to look better in your pics than in the sale listing and I gather you are giddy! If it can take a conditioning, that'll stretch the fit out a little bit (in addition to your potential liner change). That Old Horsehide!!!!!!!!!! It's a freakin MOVIE jacket brother!!!!!!

These are really my favorite types of finds man--true vintage. I'm glad a worthy and appreciative soul got this jacket.

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve said it before and it’s funny but I had soo many failed attempts with true vintage. I never, ever got the fit right. I honestly think it’s 95% luck. Yeah the numbers count but as you mention the patterns and fits were just...different. I went straight to repros and the fool proof fit. Both sides of the coin are attractive but I have to agree. A true vintage piece that fits and is wearable...it’s just an unbeatable, genuine feeling.

 

[JCSD]

I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I think a #10 would look dumb on this jacket. It’s a beautiful chunk of HH. I’m in love with it. On the fence about swapping out the liner. It’s a heavy red nylon quilt found on many a sears/Hercules. Almost too warm and sagging out the back.
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Great piece- congrats!

 

[Imuricecreamman]

One more shot of the grain. I think this is honestly the nicest vintage HH I’ve ever encountered! I’ve had dozens of Hercs, Wards and Penny’s. This one takes the cake.
View attachment 246007

Wow! What a jacket! When you get vintage right there is nothing better. That has to be among some of the very best hides out there.