Estimated from the 1960s, this is the Barbour Solway Zipper.
A special acquisition.
A rare yellow label example, produced just before the award of the Royal Warrant.
The manufacturing period spans approximately fifteen years, from the mid-1960s through 1974. The number of examples in circulation diminishes with each passing year, and those in good condition have become increasingly scarce.
Barbour now produces various models—the Bedale, the Border, and others—yet the Solway Zipper remains the progenitor of them all.
For decades Barbour had manufactured workwear exclusively. The Solway Zipper was their first venture into country sportswear. Everything that followed began with this single jacket.
Modern reissues exist, yet the presence of a vintage Barbour from that era possesses an altogether different quality.
The double chin strap detail found on yellow label examples is the sort of thing that speaks to those who know.
The zip is Aero.
The exterior and lining are remarkably clean, with no conspicuous marks or damage. For its age, the condition is quite exceptional. The oil content remains substantial, so reproofing is not immediately necessary.
Yellow label Barbour examples in this state of preservation are rarely encountered. The original hood is a noteworthy feature.
There is no size marking, yet the actual measurements suggest a proportioned fit for the Japanese frame—a golden size, as it were. The piece should accommodate a range of builds.
The raglan sleeve construction allows the jacket to sit well even if worn with a degree of ease; the shoulders will settle naturally.
A rare yellow label Barbour. Should you be seeking such a piece, this may warrant consideration.
