Chester Jefferies

Manufacturers of Britain's finest gloves since 1936. Chester Jefferies leather gloves enjoy a worldwide reputation for quality and design. Our extensive range of gloves covers everything from driving to flying, dress to weddings and shooting.

The 14th Century is held in the records for the art of glovemaking in North Dorset and the craft has been perfected in this area ever since. Traditionally glovemaking was done by "outworkers" - who were glove makers that worked in their own homes. This makes perfect economic sense, as the sale of gloves is generally seasonal and depends a lot on cold weather. This custom is still in practice today.

Chester Jefferies was founded by Gilbert Pearce & Chester Jefferies in 1937 to manufacture gloves, from the then 'new leather' which was called "HOGSKIN", which comes form South American wild peccary & carpincho. This they did for the next 25 years (except during WW II) for all the major glove names i.e. Dents, Fownes, Morley, Brettles etc who bought and then sold these gloves under their own brand names.

The name "Jeffries" is first recorded in English glovemaking during the 1820's, and Chester Jefferies was a direct descendant. Chester Jefferies disposed of his interest in 1959 and the company became a wholly owned family concern. Although outside expertise has since been brought into the management team, there are still six members of the Pearce family, including two of the third generation, working in the company. Originally the company was based in Slough, with outworkers in Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. Since 1962 the main factory and head office have been in Gillingham, Dorset.

The company originally specialised in hand-made gloves, and our records show that for a Man's Hogskin, Hand-sewn, unlined glove in 1937 we received forty two shillings per dozen pairs (=1990's - 18p per pair!). Today we sell the same type of glove for £42.50 per pair. At the start all gloves were hand-made and from hogskin. Today Chester Jefferies offer gloves from a variety of leathers with various sewings.

Enjoying a worldwide reputation for excellence in the design and making of fine leather gloves, the company is firmly committed to the highest standards of quality and customer service. Chester Jefferies gloves give excellent value for money, each individual design being carefully developed to achieve the best combination of stylish appearance, comfort and long life.