Possible Lottery Jacket?

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Mike, Indydawg

Post Reply
IndianaFoust
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:53 pm

Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by IndianaFoust »

I've been wondering what I have here. I just bought this US Wings jacket on ebay for $50 & wondered if anybody had any further information about it, particularly age. Started looking on here & found a little on the "lottery jackets". Has a US Wings label, with a "Made in China" tag.

It's a 2X and fits rather loose, like when 2x's were 2x's in the early 90's. A bit large on me, but I hope with wear it will draw up a little. The most noticeable thing about it is the belts are sewn about an inch into the pockets. I've not been able to find any images of any makers having belts this long. I might have that altered in the future as it can get in your way when accessing the pocket. The leather doesn't seem especially thin to me.

It kind of looks like an early 90's distressing, where it feels almost like suede. I'm not real satisfied with the finish, it's got no color or contrast left & is pretty dried out, so I am doing a rework with some dark brown dye and neatsfoot oil. These pics show more color than in reality. I'll post photos when it's done.
105_0966 cropcopy.jpg
90044689_10216294343170870_4104774852664098816_o.jpg
90044689_10216294343170870_4104774852664098816_o.jpg (30.39 KiB) Viewed 489 times
90010298_10216294360691308_1705188452728832000_o.jpg
90010298_10216294360691308_1705188452728832000_o.jpg (33.44 KiB) Viewed 489 times
90118822_10216294373211621_5086178079550734336_o.jpg
90118822_10216294373211621_5086178079550734336_o.jpg (24.32 KiB) Viewed 489 times
90429255_10216294331970590_7983849453096271872_o.jpg
90429255_10216294331970590_7983849453096271872_o.jpg (27.87 KiB) Viewed 489 times
90399556_10216294356291198_4243178653359276032_o.jpg
90399556_10216294356291198_4243178653359276032_o.jpg (37.62 KiB) Viewed 489 times
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Michaelson »

That’s one of their old ‘50 mission’ cowhide jackets they made about 15 years or so.

It’s a legitimate Wings jacket, and that dry finish is how they came.

You got a fantastic deal! I had one I wore for years before giving it to another member here.

Regards! Michaelson
IndianaFoust
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:53 pm

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by IndianaFoust »

Thank You so very much, Sir!
IndianaFoust
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:53 pm

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by IndianaFoust »

Would you happen to know if those long belts were early in their run, or when US Wings started to produce Indy jackets? The placement of that belt seems like too obvious a thing to mess up and I don't think I've seen it in older or even bad repro knockoff jackets?
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Texan Scott »

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... el#p737701" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

looks like what we called, the "blue label" jacket back then, sueded type.
IndianaFoust
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:53 pm

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by IndianaFoust »

Thanks for the link, a lot of good info there!

I'm still hung up on the belts, though. I'm still not seeing any pics of anything with that front belt sewn where it is.
I'm beginning to wonder if it wasn't a factory second, I don't believe US Wings would give that location as an option?
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Texan Scott »

you mean the straps anchored from inside the pocket? No, that's how these were made.

check this post out describing the straps:

Subject: Some big US Wings Indy jacket news
crismans wrote:
blueoakleyz wrote:So are both the lightweight and the striated going to be from the same pattern?
I'd like the very soft lightweight one but I want it to be the accurate pattern (or at least one that's fairly accurate and no snaps on the storm flap)
As far as I know, the lightweight is going to be the standard Wings pattern. The striated is going to be off of Cooper's 25 year old pattern with the side straps going into the pocket edge similar to the Blue Label they produced a couple of years ago.
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10204
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Indiana Jeff »

I seem to recall that way back when I was looking for my first Indy jacket in the year 2000 reading here that one of the jacket makers had really long side straps that some members would tuck into the hand warmer pockets. Seems consistent with what I'm seeing on those straps.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44484
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Michaelson »

Yeah , the old Wings jackets had long straps, and there was a long standing debate on strap location between Wings owners and Wested owners. It just a piece of the great ‘jacket wars’.

At the time the biggest contact buyer of the USWings Indy jackets were (believe it or not) TVA and, of course, Disney Corp.

We came in 3rd, but times changed. ;)

Regards! M
IndianaFoust
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:53 pm

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by IndianaFoust »

Well, I fell down a rabbit hole of reading threads while waiting on dye to soak in today. I'm still confused as to the exact vintage or what run this is, but the straps don't bother me as much now. I may just leave 'em there to be contrary.

Here's some "after" shots while letting it dry. It may be heresy for some to get rid of that rough look, but I just couldn't stand it. Thing was really thirsty. Here it is after 10 oz of fiebings and some neatsfoot oil. The flash is making it come out a little shiny and orange. Really happy with it now!

Thanks, everyone for your help!
105_0974.jpg
105_0974.jpg (104.46 KiB) Viewed 389 times
105_0973.jpg
105_0973.jpg (113.91 KiB) Viewed 389 times
105_0976.jpg
105_0976.jpg (86.37 KiB) Viewed 389 times
105_0981.jpg
105_0981.jpg (95.38 KiB) Viewed 389 times
105_0982.jpg
105_0982.jpg (106.72 KiB) Viewed 389 times
105_0981.jpg
105_0981.jpg (95.38 KiB) Viewed 389 times
User avatar
Texan Scott
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 5838
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:55 am
Location: A felt body at rest tends to stay at rest. Sieze the day!
Contact:

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Texan Scott »

Here is an actual lottery jacket. Notice the inside label was different:

https://www.amazon.com/HARRISON-INDIANA ... op?ie=UTF8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This thread also appears to suggest that the 'lottery' jacket had an IJ LF label, etc.:
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... ry#p766923" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lottery jackets abound, complete with 'Indian Bones' label:
https://www.google.com/search?q=indiana ... 5WER9-W7ZM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;:

The 'blue label' jacket was characterized by suaded type, caramel brown cowhide, label such as yours. Some described it as 'dusty'.
User avatar
Photoss
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 586
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Possible Lottery Jacket?

Post by Photoss »

I have seen side straps attach like those ones on other older US Wings jackets that were sizes XXL and XXXL. Seems like they're normal straps when they're XL and below. I had a china-made blue label jacket just like this about 15+ years ago; great jacket, wish I hadn't sold it now.
Post Reply