1950s steerhide motorcycle jacket by Monarch of Milwaukee, M/L

This magnificent Monarch leather motorcycle jacket has obviously been well loved, but is solid in all the right places, with no rips to the leather; the lining however needs refurbishing as you can see (it's been amateurishly patched in places; the tan coloured quilt is the original lining. Some of the seams have also been re-stitched by hand). 

It has the remains of the original Monarch label in it, along with a '44' size label at the neck (though it is definitely no longer a 44!). The edge of the green Monarch logo lion can still be seen, along with the lettering which reads "All-Occasion Outerwear, Genuine Steerhide".

The jacket retains its original Talon zips... though the front zip needs repairing/replacing. The other zips work fine.

There is some cracking to the leather around the back of the collar and shoulders.

We haven't been able to date the jacket exactly but estimate it to be early 1950s (although the panelled lower back is very 1940s in style). The leather has a glorious patina, with the black having worn in places to a rich brown.

The jacket has obviously had some extra studs added (and then removed) at some time during its 70 year existence!

The little change pocket (or pistol pocket) on the front is very cool and uniquely shaped. All the press stud fasteners work fine.

The pressed steel belt buckle and belt are all intact and robust.

Size is unusual by modern standards, so please consider these measurements very carefully. The jacket, overall, would be best described as a medium: