Circa 1970s, Belstaff 'Trialmaster'.
A truly exceptional arrival.
Belstaff is a venerable British heritage brand, established in 1924 in Staffordshire, West Midlands, England.
In an era before functional technical fabrics existed, Belstaff gained renown through their waxed cotton—a material excelling in water resistance, windproofing, breathability, and structural integrity.
Favoured not only by riders, but equally by those whose work demanded unforgiving conditions: drivers, pilots, and professionals navigating harsh environments.
The legendary actor Steve McQueen was among Belstaff's most devoted admirers—a fact so well established that it scarcely requires mention.
What we present today is the 'Trialmaster'—Belstaff's defining model, introduced in the 1950s and never displaced as a cornerstone of their archive.
From this canonical silhouette, we offer an authentic piece of that archive.
The Trialmaster encountered in circulation is predominantly black. This example, however, arrives in an exceptionally rare red—colloquially known as the "red bell" among collectors.
Though produced in England, even within Britain such a colourway remains elusive, a rarity seldom encountered.
A counterpart exists in green—the "green bell"—equally coveted and equally difficult to locate. Collectors pursue both with genuine devotion.
Yet this piece commands further distinction.
While "red bell" status alone secures its rarity, this example presents something still more unusual: a black and red two-tone construction.
Conventionally, such jackets employ waxed cotton entirely in red. This one, however, features black accents at the neck, shoulders, front placket, pocket flaps, and cuffs—a striking contrast.
I have encountered red bells before, yet never a two-tone variant of this calibre. This is my first encounter with such a piece.
The dealer from whom this arrived shares the same experience—this may well represent a custom commission from the period.
It may be the singular example ever made.
In its construction details, it follows the standard Trialmaster specification: the front fastening employs both snap buttons and a zip in dual closure; the front carries four flapped pockets in total.
This dates from the 1970s era, post-Sammy Miller tag, and thus features the later parallel-set chest pocket rather than the earlier diagonal variant.
No size marking is legible, though the garment reads approximately 32-34—a compact proportioning. Those of modest frame will find it accommodating.
Surface darkening occurs at scattered points, yet abrasion and tears remain negligible. The condition is notably sound.
No damage impairs wearability; this jacket remains entirely serviceable.
The belt—often missing from examples—is present and intact, permitting the silhouette to be drawn and reshaped across two distinct profiles.
Such a piece transcends the realm of simple purchase. Acquisition requires fortune; recurrence cannot be assured.
Belstaff, this British house of heritage,
offers in vintage form the unmistakable atmosphere of an era that shaped the world. Wear it with intention.
This opportunity may never present itself again. For the Belstaff collector, discretion in passing would be difficult to forgive.
