Buco J 24 Smoky Jim

The J-24, developed in 1953 alongside the J-100, helped establish Joseph Buegeleisen's Buco brand as a cornerstone of biker culture. Known as one of the most iconic double-rider jackets featuring D-pockets, the J-24 remains a symbol of classic American motorcycle style. This custom studded edition is crafted from the same tea-core vegetable tanned horsehide leather used in our previous J-24 (BJ9111). Finished in what vintage Buco catalogs called a "Rich Water Resistant Black Finish," the leather ages beautifully, developing a unique patina that modern water-repellent leathers simply can't replicate. The jacket's lining is made from custom quilted nylon, dyed in an intentional off-black tone designed to fade and change colour naturally over time, just like the original jackets. The custom jewel studs featured on this edition carry forward a rich decorative tradition. Studded leatherwork traces its origins back to 18th-century Europe but became firmly rooted in American Western wear by the 1930s, where studs were used to reinforce holsters and saddles. In the 1940s and 50s, Hollywood icons like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry popularized studded designs across belts, boots, and gear, embedding the look into mainstream culture. As motorcycle culture emerged and expanded, this decorative tradition transitioned onto leather jackets and accessories, blending function with bold style. Originally valued for their reflective qualities as well as ornamentation, these studs became a hallmark of personalized leather gear during the motorcycle boom. Horsehide, Vegetable Tanned, Pigment Finished Nylon Quilted Lining McCoy's Original Front Zipper 50s Talon Sleeve and Side Zipper 40s Round Rhombus Linked D-Pocket and Sleeve Zipper Brass Dot Buttons