Vintage Late 1920s–1930s Interwar Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Jacket | Aero Zips

This early twentieth-century leather jacket is a rare survivor from the interwar years, dating to the late 1920s or early 1930s. Cut short and purposeful, it reflects a period when civilian and utility garments were designed first and foremost for function, durability, and freedom of movement. The compact, close-fitting silhouette sits neatly on the body with minimal excess, making it particularly well suited to driving and early motorcycle use, at a time when riders relied on robust civilian leather rather than specialist riding gear.

The jacket is cut from mid-weight vegetable-tanned horsehide, a material widely favoured during the period for its balance of resilience, flexibility, and comfort. Decades of wear have given the leather a rich, natural patina, with pronounced grain, settled creasing, and subtle colour variation that reveal the structure of the hide beneath. This is not finish failure or damage, but the honest result of long use and age. The leather remains supple and structurally sound throughout, retaining its integrity while clearly expressing its history.

Construction details firmly place the jacket in the pre-war period. The back is formed with a shallow shoulder yoke and a vertically paneled body, a practical method of shaping that allowed movement while conserving valuable leather. At the front, curved chest pocket panels house zippered pockets, a distinctive and functional feature seen on higher-quality European utility and motorcycle jackets of the late 1920s and 1930s. Adjustable waist tabs with original buckles sit at each side, allowing the fit to be drawn in at the hem.

Ventilation eyelets are present at the underarms, a considered detail intended to improve airflow during wear and commonly found on garments designed for active use. Collar proportions are restrained and utilitarian, consistent with civilian designs of the era rather than later stylistic interpretations.

The jacket retains its original Aero main zipper, a British fastening widely used during the interwar years, along with period Newey Brothers snap fasteners bearing a 1922 British patent marking. Wear to all hardware is consistent with the age of the jacket, and there is no evidence of later replacements.

Inside, the jacket is lined in a cotton check lining typical of civilian garments of the period. The lining shows light age-related wear but remains serviceable, contributing to the authenticity of the piece rather than detracting from it.

The jacket has been professionally cleaned and carefully conditioned to preserve the leather without altering its surface, colour, or character. No unnecessary repairs or cosmetic interventions have been carried out. All wear, scuffing, and surface variation are presented as part of the jacket’s working life and historical value.

Overall, the condition is very good for a jacket of this age. It remains sound and fully wearable, retaining its original character and construction. As with any garment of this period, it should be worn with appropriate care and consideration, particularly given its age and historical significance.

Key Details

• Interwar civilian motorcycle jacket
• Late 1920s to early 1930s
• Mid-weight vegetable-tanned horsehide
• Short, close-fitting utilitarian cut
• Shallow shoulder yoke with vertically paneled back
• Curved chest pocket panels with zippered pockets
• Adjustable waist tabs with original buckles
• Underarm ventilation eyelets
• Original Aero main zipper
• Newey Brothers snap fasteners with 1922 patent marking
• Cotton check lining

Garment Measurements (Laid Flat)

• Chest (armpit to armpit): 23"
• Shoulders (seam to seam): 20"
• Sleeve length (shoulder seam to cuff): 26"
• Sleeve length (underarm seam to cuff): 19"
• Back length (collar seam to hem): 24"

Best suited to a size 42 chest, medium frame. Please compare these measurements with a similar jacket for accuracy.