Original German WWII Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Private Purchase Leather Flight Jacket with Bullion Eagle Insignia
In stock
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII private purchase Luftwaffe officer leather flight jacket displaying the rank insignia of an Oberleutnant, or First Lieutenant. Constructed from chocolate brown leather and fully lined in wool, it is a high quality non-regulation garment of the type privately acquired and worn by Luftwaffe aircrew personnel.
The jacket has a five button front closure. The uppermost button is positioned farther to the wearer’s right and fastens to an extended throat flap on the opposite side, which can also be worn folded flat. Two angular pocket flaps are present on the front. The left flap covers a functional exterior pocket, while the right side has no exterior pocket opening and instead corresponds with an interior pocket.
Each sleeve terminates in a buttoned cuff. Most of the buttons are pebbled metal uniform buttons. The button on the left cuff has been replaced with a plastic example.
The right breast bears a bullion embroidered Luftwaffe officer eagle mounted on the correct blue gray backing. The bullion shows age and wear, including oxidation and areas where the aluminum surface covering has flaked from the embroidery.
The button attached shoulder boards, or Schulterklappen, have gold yellow bases and retaining straps. This Waffenfarbe, or branch color, was associated with Luftwaffe flying personnel and related aviation units. Each board is bordered with two rows of silver "Russia Braid" double piping and carries one rank pip, indicating the rank of Oberleutnant.
Fabric award loops are positioned beneath the left breast pocket area for the attachment of decorations or qualification badges.
The jacket is made from chocolate brown leather that has developed an appealing matured color through age and use. It remains in very good overall condition, with no major tears or structural damage, except for some on the top of the left shoulder. Several small holes are present, together with expected surface wear and finish loss.
Before and during WWII, Luftwaffe personnel wore a variety of issued protective flight garments, including one piece and later two piece flying suits. Officers and senior NCOs also acquired privately made leather jackets, despite their non-regulation status. Period photographs show a wide variety of civilian style and tailor made leather garments adapted for aviation use, making construction and insignia configuration important when evaluating individual examples.
This jacket’s private purchase leather construction, wool lining, Luftwaffe bullion eagle, aviation branch colored shoulder boards, and Oberleutnant rank insignia give it excellent visual character. The replaced cuff button, worn bullion, small leather holes, damage on top of the left shoulder, and age related finish wear are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a Luftwaffe officer uniform, German aviation clothing, private purchase flight gear, or advanced WWII aircrew collection.
Approximate measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 19"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 17.5"
Chest width: 19"
Waist: 15.5"
Front length: 23.5"
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Germany, France, or Australia
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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