Schott Labels: History and How to Date Them
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Schott Bros. of New York, founded in 1913, made the Perfecto, the classic zip-front motorcycle jacket. The model of Perfecto, especially whether it has stars on the epaulettes, helps date a jacket.
Company history
Wikipedia records that brothers Irving and Jack Schott founded the company on Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1913. Irving Schott designed the first Perfecto leather motorcycle jacket in 1928, named after his favourite cigar. Our date by zippers guide and 1920s hub note Schott used zippers in leather jackets from 1925. The company made clothing for the US armed forces in the Second World War, including wool naval pea coats, and remains owned by the Schott family.
Label timeline
| Label or clue | Approximate dates | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Schott Bros. | From 1913 | The company's span |
| Zippers on leather jackets | From 1925 | Early use of zippers in outerwear |
| Perfecto | From 1928 | The first Schott motorcycle jacket |
| 613 "One Star" (star studs on the epaulettes) | From the late 1940s | Starred model |
| 618 (no stars) | From the early 1950s | The model Marlon Brando wore in The Wild One (1953) |
What it helps date
- Check zipper brand and construction against the claimed date: date by zippers.
- Leather condition drives value: identify fur and leather.
Values
Our vintage coat and fur values guide gives a Schott Perfecto a typical sold price of $382 and a clean example about $572 (Flipper Vintage). Prices are estimates as of 2026.
check sold prices for schott perfecto vintage leather jacket on eBay
Sources
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Guides that mention Schott
- 1920s Clothing: How to Date and Value Flapper-Era FashionDate 1920s clothing by waistline and hemline, spot real beaded flapper dresses versus costumes, and see realistic 2026 auction values by garment type.
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the ZipperUse zipper type, placement, brand and material to date vintage clothing: metal Talon zippers, side-seam closures, the 1960 nylon coil, and concealed zips.
- Vintage Coat and Fur Values: Mink, Fox, Leather and Flight JacketsWhat vintage fur coats, stoles, wool coats, leather and WWII flight jackets sell for in 2026, why most minks bring $50 to $500, and which bring more.
Related
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the ZipperUse zipper type, placement, brand and material to date vintage clothing: metal Talon zippers, side-seam closures, the 1960 nylon coil, and concealed zips.
- How to Tell Real Fur and Leather from FauxSimple hands-on tests to tell real fur from fake fur and real leather from leatherette on vintage coats, stoles and bags, plus old fur trade names decoded.
- Vintage Coat and Fur Values: Mink, Fox, Leather and Flight JacketsWhat vintage fur coats, stoles, wool coats, leather and WWII flight jackets sell for in 2026, why most minks bring $50 to $500, and which bring more.
- ACWA Union Labels: History and How to Date ThemDate men's suits, coats and shirts by the ACWA union label: the first label of 1916, the 1949 design with and without the registered mark, and ACTWU.