A Belstaff Trialmaster from approximately the 1970s.
Belstaff is a storied British heritage brand, established in 1924 by founder Harry Grosberg in Longton, Staffordshire, England.
The brand name Belstaff is said to derive from Belper Mill, located in Staffordshire, the brand's birthplace.
In an era before modern functional textiles existed, Belstaff gained prominence through the use of waxed cotton—a material excelling in waterproofing, windproofing, breathability, and structure. Beyond riders, the jacket found devoted users among those working in demanding conditions: drivers, pilots, and others operating in harsh environments.
Most notably, the Trialmaster, a celebrated model introduced in the 1950s, was worn by notable motorcycle racers and film stars of the era, substantially elevating the brand's renown.
The legendary actor Steve McQueen was among its devoted wearers—a fact well known to many.
In the 1990s, following a period of commercial decline, Belstaff was acquired and revitalized by an Italian corporate group. This marked a pivotal shift from outdoor utility toward luxury positioning, with emphasis on refined designs, particularly leather jackets and motorcycle jackets, that defined the brand's evolution.
Today, Belstaff remains rooted in motorcycle culture and the spirit of adventure while embracing contemporary design, earning the appreciation of fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
The piece presented here is the Trialmaster—Belstaff's timeless model of the 1950s era.
The jacket gained rapid prominence after revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara wore it while motorcycling through South America by 1952. By 1960, it had become Belstaff's top-selling model.
In 1963, Steve McQueen wore the Trialmaster in the film "The Great Escape," most memorably during its famous barbed-wire fence jump motorcycle sequence.
Originally engineered to withstand the brutal weather and terrain of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSTD), its first tester was Sammy Miller, merely 18 years old at the time. Miller subsequently wore Belstaff through over 1,000 races, earning a jacket line named in his honor. This piece carries what is known as the "Sammy Miller tag"—embroidered in gold on black, affixed inside at the collar.
Sammy Miller was a British trials racer, revered as the "god of trials," an ardent Belstaff devotee. In his era, he accumulated over 1,300 race victories and was instrumental in shaping the Scottish Six Days Trial throughout the 1960s.
This particular example bears the coveted black field with gold embroidered "Sammy Miller tag"—a notably rare specimen.
The closure employs a dual structure of snap buttons and zipper, paired with four flap patch pockets, waist belt, throat latch, elbow pads, and reinforced shoulders—all hallmarks of the Trialmaster design.
A subsequently added "ITALIA" patch is sewn to the right sleeve, offering an intriguing accent. One wonders: was the previous owner Italian, or did he race in Italy? The jacket carries such stories.
Typically, Trialmaster pockets align parallel to the body. However, early 1970s examples bearing the Sammy Miller tag feature a distinctly angled left chest pocket—a detail shared with Barbour International designs. This period's Trialmaster possesses an appeal that remains incomparable.
The front closure employs a double-layer fly structure with both zipper and snap buttons. The slider carries a YKK zipper.
Characteristic of this era's oiled jacket construction, the fabric possesses a substantial weight and presence akin to leather. Set against contemporary oiled pieces, the difference is immediately apparent—the atmosphere remains exceptional.
The belt, often lost or missing in examples of this age, is intact here, allowing the silhouette to be adjusted and enjoyed in two distinct ways.
While no size label is present, the piece appears to correspond to approximately M to L in Japanese sizing.
Based on actual measurements, this is a golden size suited to most Japanese frames, accommodating a range of builds. Wear it fitted in the motorcycle tradition, or adopt it loosely as casual outerwear—either approach suits the piece equally well.
The jacket displays patina—soil, minor punctures, and evidence of belt replacement—yet contains no significant damage impeding wear. Considering its age and intended purpose, the condition ranks as notably sound.
The Trialmaster remains a definitive model within the Belstaff canon, a heritage British brand. It is an essential piece—one every thoughtful collector should experience.
This vintage Belstaff carries the unmistakable presence of an era now passed, distinctly removed from contemporary production. We encourage you to inhabit this piece of history.
Well-preserved vintage Belstaff pieces enter our shop infrequently. In the broader market, they remain scarce. If you have sought such a jacket, this opportunity warrants your consideration.
