{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-mismatches-pair-of-fleece-lined-leather-pilot-flying-boots-with-tearing","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Mismatches Pair of Fleece-Lined Leather Pilot Flying Boots with Tearing","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Pair Available. This is a heavily service-worn and mismatched pair of original German WWII Luftwaffe fleece-lined flying boots. Both boots share the characteristic cold-weather construction used for Luftwaffe aircrew, with black leather foot sections, black suede shafts, thick fleece lining, full-length side zippers, and snap closures at the tops. The pair is clearly not factory matched, however, as the two boots differ slightly in sole length and are fitted with different original zipper makers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boots were designed to protect aircrew from extreme cold at altitude. Period Luftwaffe Flieger-Pelzstiefel, or fur-lined flying boots, generally combined a stout leather foot with a fleece or sheepskin-lined upper shaft and zippered openings to allow them to be worn over layers of flying clothing. Contemporary descriptions note that wartime material quality varied and later examples could be assembled from multiple pieces of leather or suede rather than single large panels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe zippers are completely original, one being marked \u003cb\u003eZIPP \u003c\/b\u003eand the other being marked \u003cb\u003eWICO\u003c\/b\u003e. The fleece linings are in good overall condition with some later stitching. There is \u003ci\u003every heavy tearing \u003c\/i\u003ein the suede on the right side of the right boot, with loss of stitching on the back of the foot of this boot as well, showing the fleece interior. The left boot also has tearing near the top and loss of stitching on the back of the foot in the same place as on the other boot. Both boots could use some restoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are \"\u003cb\u003eHand\u003c\/b\u003e\" maker logos on both soles, which we cannot identify. The zippers and snaps are all fully functional, though with the heavy tearing to the material, we ask that you exercise caution when handling them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boots measure approximately 16 inches tall from the heel to the top of the shaft, and the sole of the left boot is 11 ¾ inches long from heel to the tip of the toe, while the right boot is 12”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite their extensive wear, the boots retain most of the features that identify them as WWII Luftwaffe cold-weather flying footwear, including the leather and suede construction, fleece linings, original ZIPP and WICO closures, faded wartime labels, surviving RBNr. evidence, and functional hardware. Their severe tearing and exposed fleece make condition an important consideration, but they remain a useful study and display examples of German aircrew equipment that saw exceptionally hard use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588325400645,"sku":"ONSV26CC257","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC257__01.jpg?v=1787328316","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-mismatches-pair-of-fleece-lined-leather-pilot-flying-boots-with-tearing","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}