Name: Vintage 1973 Italian Police Goatskin Leather Motorcycle Jacket Riri Zip
Brand: Revive & Restore Vintage
SKU: EB5109
Price: 395.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Dating from 1973, this Italian police motorcycle jacket comes from an era when leather patrol clothing was still designed first and foremost as working equipment. Before modern technical riding fabrics became commonplace, substantial leather provided motorcycle officers with protection from wind, weather and the demands of long hours on the road. The result was clothing built around function, durability and freedom of movement rather than fashion.

Cut from black goatskin leather, this example has survived more than half a century in remarkably well-preserved condition. The hide retains a deep, consistent black colour, with the pronounced natural grain characteristic of goatskin. Gentle creasing across the sleeves and body records the age of the garment without giving it a heavily distressed appearance, while the leather itself remains supple, substantial and reassuringly strong.

The construction is restrained and purposeful. A broad pointed collar sits above the original Riri metal front zipper, a quality piece of period hardware that remains with the jacket. Two angled hand pockets are worked discreetly into the lower front, keeping the silhouette unusually clean for a motorcycle garment. There is little unnecessary decoration, giving the jacket the direct, functional appearance expected of professional Italian police patrol clothing of the period.

The sleeves finish with broad leather cuffs secured by buttons, rather than an adjustable arrangement. At the rear, twin leather waist adjustment straps pass through individual metal buckles, allowing the lower body to be drawn inward and helping control the jacket around the waist while riding. The broad rear panels also provide an uninterrupted view of the naturally pebbled grain of the goatskin.

Inside, the original warm tan lining remains exceptionally well preserved. Its surviving composition label records a 60% wool and 40% acetate blend, while a separate original internal label carries the date 26/11/1973. These surviving labels provide a particularly valuable period reference and leave no need to estimate the jacket's age from style alone.

What makes this example particularly appealing is its level of preservation. The goatskin remains strong, the original lining survives in excellent condition, the Riri zipper and period hardware remain in place, and the clean Italian patrol silhouette has lost little of its original presence. More than fifty years after it was made, it remains an exceptionally well-preserved example of 1970s Italian police motorcycle clothing.

Condition & Restoration

Excellent vintage condition.

The black goatskin leather remains strong, supple and structurally sound throughout. The surface retains a remarkably consistent depth of colour, with pronounced natural grain and gentle age-related creasing. There are minor marks consistent with an original working leather jacket dating from 1973, but no heavy surface deterioration or significant colour loss.

The original tan 60% wool and 40% acetate lining is exceptionally well preserved, remaining clean and remarkably complete. The original dated internal label remains present and clearly records 26/11/1973.

The jacket has been specialist cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve the original surface character and natural grain of the goatskin. 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.

The original Riri main zipper has been refurbished, cleaned, waxed and polished and operates smoothly. The buttons, rear waist adjustment buckles and remaining hardware have also been carefully cleaned while retaining their naturally aged finish.

Overall, the jacket presents exceptionally well for an original working leather garment now more than fifty years old.