Name: Schott NYC LC9201 Cowhide Leather Motorcycle Jacket
Brand: Revive & Restore Vintage
SKU: EB5111
Price: 225.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Cut in supple black vachette cowhide, the Schott LC9201 takes the clean, purposeful shape of a classic motorcycle jacket and gives it the slimmer proportions associated with Schott's European-market range. Made in France and carrying unmistakable Schott detailing throughout, it is a particularly wearable interpretation of the café-racer form, compact through the body, relatively restrained in its detailing and built around substantial leather and metal hardware.

The cowhide has developed considerably more character through wear. Black remains the dominant colour, but the surface has softened in places, creating subtle tonal variation, natural grain and gentle creasing across the body and sleeves. There is a lightly distressed quality to the leather that works particularly well with the simplicity of the design. Around the neck and collar, repeated contact has produced some localised colour loss where the black finish has worn slightly. It is an honest sign of use and gives the jacket the established appearance that suits this style of motorcycle leather.

A high stand collar gives the jacket its distinctive profile, backed by a knitted inner collar for additional comfort around the neck. The front is deliberately uncomplicated, with a substantial Schott USA metal main zipper, a horizontal zipped breast pocket and two lower hand pockets. Schott N.Y.C. branding is embroidered directly onto the chest, while branded press studs and adjustable waist tabs continue the detailing without overwhelming the clean lines of the jacket.

The back is equally restrained. A broad expanse of black cowhide allows the natural grain and movement of the leather to remain visible, while the waist tabs can be drawn in to sharpen the silhouette. It is straightforward motorcycle design that relies more on the character of the leather than unnecessary decoration.

Inside, the jacket becomes considerably more distinctive. The black quilted lining carries large stitched Schott N.Y.C. branding across the back, accompanied by the original Schott neck label and Size L identification. The interior remains particularly well preserved and provides a strong contrast with the more established character developing across the exterior.

This is not one of Schott's heavyweight American Perfecto jackets, nor is it being presented as an early USA-made collector piece. The LC9201 belongs to Schott's European-market family, offering a slimmer interpretation of the company's long association with motorcycle clothing. In this example, use has taken some of the newness from the leather and left behind something considerably more interesting.

It is precisely the sort of jacket that benefits from not being pristine. The softened surface, lightly distressed finish and small signs of genuine use give the black cowhide depth without compromising the strength of the garment. What remains is an easy-to-wear Schott biker jacket with enough character to look immediately established rather than newly manufactured.

Condition & Restoration

Very good pre-owned condition.

The black vachette cowhide remains strong, supple and structurally sound throughout, with natural grain, gentle creasing, rubbing and a lightly distressed surface appearance.

There is some localised colour loss around the neck and collar where repeated contact has worn the black surface finish slightly. This remains visible on inspection and has deliberately not been disguised, forming part of the jacket's established character.

The black quilted Schott N.Y.C. lining is very well preserved, including the large stitched interior branding. The original Schott labels remain present and legible.

The jacket has been specialist leather cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve its existing surface character. As part of the restoration, the leather has also been carefully reshaped to reduce undesirable set-in creasing caused by prolonged wear and storage, restoring a more natural structure and drape without altering the jacket's original construction or removing the character of the hide.

The main zipper and breast pocket zipper have been refurbished, cleaned, waxed and polished and operate smoothly. The Schott-branded press studs and remaining hardware have also been carefully cleaned while retaining their existing finish.

The collar fastening was no longer securing correctly, so a sympathetic additional press stud has been fitted during restoration to allow the neck to fasten securely. The addition has been kept discreet and sympathetic to the existing hardware.

Overall, a very good example with attractive surface character and light wear appropriate to a leather motorcycle jacket intended to be used rather than kept pristine.