Original Item. Only One Available. This is a nice service-worn original German WWII black leather wrap jacket manufactured by Rudolf Heine of Prossnitz and presently fitted with Panzer officer shoulder boards for the rank of Oberleutnant. The shoulder boards bear LAH cyphers, although their originality to the jacket cannot be confirmed. Wartime photographs show this distinctive leather wrap pattern in use by German armored, naval, and Luftwaffe personnel during the final years of the war.

This heavily service-worn black leather "Panzer Wrap" features a five button double breasted front furnished with pebbled silvered buttons, all five of which are now gone. This is the CLASSIC look that tankers loved, and they are extremely desirable on the collector's market. There are countless period photographs of panzer troops in these jackets, and even today many similar jackets are made by clothing companies all over the world. It is unlined, though there is an interior pocket on the left side, with a maker’s stamp over it. The pocket flap is partially torn away. There is also a drawstring close to the bottom to help customize the fit. The markings over the interior pocket read:

Grossen Nr. VI.
Korpergrosse 176-184
Oberweite 100
Meferdrumm

…
RUDOLF HEINE
PROSSNITZ

Rudolf Heine is closely associated with this particular pattern of black leather wrap jacket, and numerous surviving examples bear the firm’s Prossnitz markings. Comparable wartime garments are known in photographs of personnel from several German service branches, including Panzer crews, Kriegsmarine small craft personnel, and members of the Luftwaffe’s Hermann Göring formation. We have seen some listings for the last name as "Hiene" and even "Hinne", as the markings are rarely fully clear.

The front closure of the jacket is missing the five primary closure buttons, but retains the five pebbled buttons next to them, all of which are marked EXTRA FEIN with the ASSMANN logo. The two left breast buttons, the cuff buttons, and one shoulder strap button, are also missing.

The left sleeve retains stitching remnants and a distinct shadow where a sleeve eagle was formerly attached. A second shadow below it records the former placement of a cuff title. Neither insignia is now present. The surviving stitch holes and fabric shadows document their former positions but do not identify the exact eagle or cuff title that was removed.

The "sew-in" style company officers schulterklappen (shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware "Russia Braid" double piping and have the correct rose pink piping around the edges for Panzer units, with a layer of black underneath. One of the two buttons are missing. There is one rank pip on each, indicating the rank of Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant). Over each pip is an LAH cypher, denoting wear by the Waffen-SS division Leibstandarte SS Adolf H. We are not sure whether these cyphers are original.

The jacket is in fair overall condition and shows extensive wear consistent with prolonged use and storage. The black leather has developed a pronounced aged surface, while the missing buttons, torn pocket flap, removed sleeve insignia, and general wear are significant condition factors.

The garment remains a good candidate for careful restoration. Any replacement buttons or insignia should be clearly identified as later additions so that the jacket’s present historical condition remains documented.

These black leather wrap jackets were not exclusively issued Panzer garments in the same sense as the regulation black wool Panzer uniform. Period photographs demonstrate that the pattern was worn by personnel from more than one branch, particularly during the latter part of the war. The rose pink shoulder board piping presently gives this example a Panzer officer configuration, but no named provenance establishes the original wearer or unit.

The Rudolf Heine manufacturer marking, surviving size information, complete internal button arrangement, adjustable drawstring, sleeve insignia shadows, and Oberleutnant shoulder boards preserve the principal evidence for the jacket’s wartime manufacture and later configuration. The uncertain LAH cyphers and missing external fittings require careful interpretation, but the garment remains a significant example of the black leather wrap clothing associated with German armored and specialized vehicle personnel during the final years of WWII