{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-oberleutnant-private-purchase-leather-flight-jacket-with-bullion-eagle-insignia","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Private Purchase Leather Flight Jacket with Bullion Eagle Insignia","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII private purchase Luftwaffe officer leather flight jacket displaying the rank insignia of an \u003cem\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe button attached shoulder boards, or \u003cem\u003eSchulterklappen\u003c\/em\u003e, have gold yellow bases and retaining straps. This \u003cem\u003eWaffenfarbe\u003c\/em\u003e, 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 \u003cem\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFabric award loops are positioned beneath the left breast pocket area for the attachment of decorations or qualification badges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis jacket’s private purchase leather construction, wool lining, Luftwaffe bullion eagle, aviation branch colored shoulder boards, and \u003cem\u003eOberleutnant\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 19\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 23.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 17.5\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 19\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 15.5\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 23.5\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45429487075397,"sku":"ONSV26EMC128","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/BB423D2B-8BB6-4FBE-99E0-14B6CA94BA0C.jpg?v=1785510560","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-oberleutnant-private-purchase-leather-flight-jacket-with-bullion-eagle-insignia","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}