So I made a great find at the local Goodwill store last week.
A double cape Makinaw red plaid wool hunting coat. The Only label on it says "Soo Woolen Mills".
 
Well the minute I pulled it off the hanger I about dropped it. That's a whole lotta wool!
So I tried it on, it fit, I ran to the cash register to pay my $9.99. I took it home and weighed it, it weighed 6 pounds!
After picking it up from the drycleaners I couldn't find any flaws. The Double cape runs from the chest over the shoulders all the down the back. Wore it in some sub-zero weather, and it is a TANK.
Yesterday I went in to the local sporting goods retailer, and wandered over to the Filson corner to look at the Makinaw I've wanted for years. Well the wool in my old "Soo" is double the thickness of the Filson. So now I'm really pumped up about my find.
I searched and searched the internet for the Soo Woolen Mills in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Very little found, except that they went out of business in the '50's. Can this coat really be pushing 60 years old?
 
Can any of my fellow Michiganders or Trad Gang wool masters offer any info on my new find?
I'd love to know more.
Thanks,
Ron

Wow,

Congrats on the super find.  I dont know much about the wool coats but it sounds like you found a coat of the century there.

Brian

Yeah good find!!! I own one of those Filson double macs you speak of.... I paid more than $9.99 for it....
As for the Soo Woolen Company.. I think you have an old coat there.

Yeah! The Filson I had My hand on was about 30 x that much. I'll try and post a pic of the old Soo tonight. Very distinct plaid.

Ron I can remember going into their store in the Soo back in the late 60's early 70's.  My Mom's family was from the area and I can remember the heavy Wool Mackinaw my grandfather had from there.  As a matter of fact my first hunting suit was from that store(Red/Black wool plaid Coat and matching trousers) Great stuff and it lasted forever.

Good find,take care of it and it will last you a long time. They don't make'um like they used to.

Nice!

Great find and great stuff!!!  

congrats on the find! you can not beat wool to stay warm, it has stanted the test of time and can not be beat!

Congrats. That's a sharp looking coat.

Well, I spent another lunch hour trying to track down information on this company. Nothing.
Does anyone know anything about them?
Maybe we will have to plan a little trip to the UP this summer. (as good an excuse as any)

Mcgyver,
The very first hunting suit that I wore was a Soo Wool coat and pants.  I remember my Grandfather wearing one when he hunted as well.  Mine unfortuantly is no longer with me, but my daughter is the proad owner of a coat and pants, that I found for here up in an antique shop in TC.  She loves it and wheres the coat everywhere.  They are great finds if you run across them, and yes they can last for over 60 years if taken care of properly

Mcguiver,
       Can't help with the woolen mill, but my great,great,great grandparents entered this country through the sault. Always wanted to visit there.

Rick

We have vacationed many times in the UP/Sault St. Marie. Found some 100% wool suit coats last summer but nothing like you found! If you do find something, be sure to let us know. Outstanding find!! Good for you!

Wow do I love seeing the old plaid clothing...I grew up here in Michigan and back in the days of "deer camp" in the U.P. all my uncles and cousins wore this color gun hunting.  I love looking back at photo's from that time...my grandmother just passed away and there were tons of photo's from years past.  A lot had that type of clothing.

Very nice...and it's from an awesome area of Michigan!!!

Josh

Here you go. goes with the top.
http://cgi.****.com/Vintage-Soo-Woolen-Mills-Wool-Hunting-Riding-Pants-60s_W0QQitemZ350159007790QQihZ022QQcategoryZ52392QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem