Schott Perfecto model 118 leather motorcycle jacket features U.S. sourced, drum-dyed, hand-cut, heavyweight naked cowhide.
Features:
Offered in both 26" (Regular) and 28” (Long) body lengths
U. S. sourced, drum dyed, hand cut, heavyweight, full aniline cowhide (naked leather)
Large back panel design, a signature of Schott's uncompromising Perfecto quality
Asymmetrical main zipper pattern for added warmth and protection
Snap down lapels, collar and shoulder epaulets
Bi-swing back panels with grommet vented underarm footballs
Traditional zippered sleeve cuffs
Attached belt with durable nickel plated square buckle
Three outside zippered pockets plus small coin flap pocket
Inside lower map pocket and leather trimmed inside breast pocket (on left side)
5.5 ounce fixed nylon poly-quilt insulated lining
Made in the USA
Leather Type, Fit and Construction:
We consider the Model 118 as a close cousin to our popular Model 618 with just a few differences. Perfecto Model 118 leather jackets for men are made with U. S. sourced, chrome-tanned, drum dyed, heavyweight naked leather. This hide has a softer "hand" when compared to our steerhide and a matte finish. It is chrome tanned and processed to provide many years of use without the need for treatments or conditioners. Right out of the box this jacket will feel like it was custom made for you. This Perfecto model 118 motorcycle jacket was designed and built for the long haul, the short ride, and everything in between. Not recommended for those who are looking to just blend in with the crowd.
Schott NYC uses heavyweight naked cowhide to help your leather jacket become your "second skin". Motorcycle jackets need to be as tough as the people wearing them. For wind protection and added warmth the 118 features an attached belt, zippered sleeve cuffs and a durable insulated nylon quilted lining sewn into the body of the jacket. Our bi-swing back panels and under arm footballs ensures that this jacket moves with you eliminating that restrictive feel often found with other leather motorcycle jackets. Nickel plated brass hardware complete this timeless American made classic that is built to last a lifetime.
As with all Perfecto leather jackets, Schott only uses the best, highest quality leather available. In the same tradition started in the late 1920’s, highly skilled workers hand-cut each panel for the 118. In keeping with their original custom style, Schott designed this jacket model with added versatility. Available in both regular and long sizes we often suggest this model for our taller customers. Long sizes add 2 inches to the body length and 1 inch to the sleeves. Schott sells this leather jacket model true to size, if you wear a 42 suit jacket simply order a size 42 and you will even have room for a sweatshirt underneath for those colder days. With that said it has occurred a few times that some of those young whippersnappers are able to downsize to achieve that tight, t-shirt only, bad boy look. Of course this is just our best recommendation, as always we suggest you carefully check our sizing diagrams and measurements to determine best fit.
The Schott Perfecto Model #118 is still proudly made in the U.S.A. Our customers know that the quality and construction of our jackets are unparalleled. From the heavyweight thread we use to the strong American hands that do the crafting. We build our leather motorcycle jackets to the same indestructible standards as the old style leather medicine balls. One-hundred plus years of being the best is your assurance that Schott Brothers stands behind every jacket we make.
History:
The three pocket design of the Schott Perfecto Model 118 dates back to the late 1940's. In those days this leather motorcycle jacket was referred to as just “Perfecto” or “Beck model 999” (manufactured by Schott). The small coin flap pocket started out as a custom option offered in the early 50's. By 1955 this coin pocket became a standard feature of this biker-style jacket known as “the Perfecto One Star".
Considered to be the best motorcycle jacket it caught the mainstream public's attention after Marlon Brando epitomized the coolest of cool, wearing his Perfecto in that iconic classic film “The Wild One”. Originally referred to as "the One Star", it was officially banned from schools across the US for an entire year in the mid 50’s. Some believe this action served to make the Schott Perfecto even more desirable to America’s young renegades with their “Wild One” tendencies. School Boards wanted to burn it and youthful rebels saved every penny to buy one. At the time, this jacket retailed for close to $50 which amounted to roughly 100 hours of work if you were a gas station attendant making fifty cents an hour!
The customized asymmetrical leather motorcycle jacket worn by Brando became the must-have anti-establishment symbol for 1950’s youth. The orders skyrocketed for this leather jacket causing Irving Schott and his son Mel to increase their workforce and expand the Schott factory. By the mid 1960’s the Perfecto men’s jackets had also caught on with the emerging rock n roll movement. Once again, due to increasing sales, Schott had grown out of their current factory on King Street in Perth Amboy, NJ. A few new factories later and still in New Jersey, Schott proudly continues this iconic American classic motorcycle jacket for the wild side in all of us. There is still a Schott family member in the factory every day to make sure Irving would still be proud to put his name in these jackets.