German Leather Jacket Resource

[Baron Kurtz]

So, post your German leather jackets. All the features, all the bells and whistles that make German leather so interesting. (This, bartenders, is not intended as a Nazi jacket discussion, though they are bound to appear. Leniency, please, with the editing/closure tools)

Here's mine. picked up in an army surplus store in Lafayette IN, we've discussed the ZIPPs before. Here are pics of the jacket:

Double breasted with full belt closure. Unfortunately the belt retaining buckle is missing, so it doesn't fasten properly. Surely someone is making repros of these? The cotton twill lining appears to be original.

Scalloped shoulder section:

There are two hip pockets with this flap:

Interesting method of closure holds the right side against the body while the belt holds the jacket closed . . .

At the wrist, unfortunately missing the buttons.

Inner pocket lining. The pocket (with ZIPP zipper) is behind the left lapel.

The only tag in the jacket is at the inner collar.

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The pocket behind the left lapel has a ZIPP which is pictured below (my apologies for the shoddy pics). On the front of the puller is ZIPP and the lightning bolt, and on the back is DRP Nürnberg. Apparently this ZIPP design was introduced mid-WWII, though this jacket is probably postwar. It originally struck me as being a motorcycle courier's jacket.

And the pocket finds. A german train ticket, and a floral motif handkerchief

bk

 

[Flieger]

Very nice leather coat/jacket, BK! :eusa_clap

Too bad about the missing buttons. Any chance of finding period replacements?

My jacket was presented here not too long ago. I'm also missing the belt buckle on mine Must have been collectors items.

I wish I knew what mine looked like so I could look for something similar to replace it.

Flieger

 

[Edward]

Beautiful jackets! I have a gorgeous French leather trenchcoat - no photos, unfortunately - which I bought in Camden market in 1999 (back when it still had a soul! lol ). Brown moleskin lining. Beautiful tailored fit on me, though a size up might be tempting over a suit. I know I'd not want to be without a black leather trenchcoat - maybe - no political issues intended - the influence of that bad guy in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I always did love dressing as a villain. for heavy rain conditions, especially in the winter, a leather trench can't be beaten IMO!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Here're the pics and words from Flieger's thread. Flieger, a question: are there DRP or BRwN numbers on the back of those ZIPPs? I note that the brass one on your jacket is almost identical to the aluminium one on mine.

This is one sweet jacket, by the way. Really lovely.

OK, my fellow leather afficionados... get ready for a bunch of photos because the jacket finally arrived todayl

I have treated the jacket, but not with Pecard's. I found out that it would cost me a small fortune to have it shipped from the nearest dealer (Britain). Instead I've used a German product called "Skinnfix" that I found in the city where I live. Anyway, the jacket is in great shape. The only signs of ware can be found in the sleeves lining where there are a couple of small holes in the fabric. The zippers run smooth and the press studs on the collar is in near perfect shape.

On to the pictures:

Jacket front after treatment with Skinfix.

Back side of jacket.

Front zipped up.

Waist detail with elastic band in good shape.

Sleeve zipper open

Pocket zipper closed.

Brass (ZIPP) zipper detail.

Steel(?) (ZIPP) zipper detail.

Jacket label.

A lovely jacket but with one thing that bugs me: It has shoulder pads! Yuk!

/Flieger

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Sorry to steal thunder. here is Bob Loblaw's jacket. I wonder, Bob, if you could post a picture of the shoulder region. I want to see the detail of the shoulder segment. And some close-ups of the details of the zip.

I purchased this coat recently. The following is the seller's description as well as some pictures. Let me know what you think!

Very rare WWII German officier's leather double breasted long great coat / overcoat / trenchcoat / in European size 52 and US size 42 reg.

Could be Wehrmacht or Luftwaffe.

I've had the coat professionally cleaned at significant cost and there is no foul musty smell. The leather and lining are clean and the coat is ready to wear.

56 cm armpit to armpit

49cm shoulders (straight across back)

62cm arm length (from top of shoulder to tip of sleeve)

130cm long (from top of collar to bottom of coat along the back)

Gray-blue leather is distressed and has great patina and grain showing. The pictures don't do justice to the grain and texture of the vintage leather. Judging by the weight it could be horsehide or heavy steerhide. The workmanship and quality is amazing and the jacket has many years of wear left in it.

Tag reads "Lederbekleidung, Tschache + co., Dresden-A"

No rips, tears, or holes in the leather. Leather is soft and pliable.

Lining feels like real silk and has a few minor worn spots but there are no rips or tears along the seams.

Description of details: Coat has dagger holder, attachement loop with strap closure to close the jacket, inside breast pockets and zipper pocket on the lower side, leather covered buttons attached through metal eyelets in the leather and held in place on the inside by thick metal wire covered by a leather piece (not just sewn on the leather, all orginal, sturdy, and all in place), snap bottons on the collar with ajustable storm flap, zig zag stitching on the collar and stitched collar stand, collar hook, faux belt with two buttons on the back, snap buttons on the back vent (all in place), a glove pocket opening on the left hand sleeve fold, two side slant pockets with flaps lined in dark grey moleskin cotton, shoulder epaulette / shoulderbord holders.

A rare and genuine WWII officer's greatcoat in wearable condition. This genuine item is not to be compared with the so called German officier's, Gestapo, SS coats in dark green leather that are often advertised but which are actually 1950's or 60's German police coats.

bk

 

[Flieger]

Baron: Thanks for editing and re-posting the pictures of my jacket. I AM a lazy bum, aren't I? lol

Flieger, a question: are there DRP or BRwN numbers on the back of those ZIPPs?

I have been over all my zippers with a loupe but unfortunetley I can't find a single number on them. [huh]

Flieger

 

[Baron Kurtz]

A few from BellyTank from a while back:

'30s maybe '40s-

This is my English Patient, Schindler's List, Better than Indy's jacket thing-
$29.

B
T

Here's a '30s Russet coloured Goatskin jacket I picked up a few weeks back.
I have a camera now!

This is a Swedish one- I bought it in Denmark for around $30-ish in a junk shop and it fits! It has a little 'patina' but the lining is spot on. It's nice to find a European jacket in Goatskin, it lasts really well, is supple and very strong.


B
T

Latest but not lately-

'30s German.

..and a vest from the same-ish vintage, for good measure...

B
T

bk

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Here is a close up of the shoulder of my jacket as requested. Was this what you had in mind?

 

[aswatland]

Here's two of mine. The first belonged to a ME 109 pilot on the Eastern Front and the second I don't know the history. It may not have been worn by a member of the Luftwaffe at all. As privately purchased jackets they were mainly intended for bikers.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Here is a close up of the shoulder of my jacket as requested. Was this what you had in mind?

yeah, that's good. I wanted to see the panel across the shoulders.

bk

 

[Fletch]

NOW IS ZE TIME ON SHPROCKETS VEN VE DANCE!

 

[Flieger]

NOW IS ZE TIME ON SHPROCKETS VEN VE DANCE!

lol Hey Fletch: The jacket don't look THAT electrogay does it?

/F

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I preferred it before you'd oiled it up . . .

bk

 

[Flieger]

Oh, so that's what's bothering you guys...

Well, I can tell you that it only looks that shiny for a couple of days and then it's back to its former distressed self... apart from that the leather is more supple now.

Calm down. I would never destroy something like that.

/F

 

[Oktagon]

I have two nise examples of german leathercraft. One is a jet black trench with all the propper hardware brends (Astor, Stocko, Zipp), and the other is unmarked barstormer. Both are in mint or close to mint condition, fit me very well and get regular wear.

http://talks.guns.ru/forums/icons/forum_pictures/000516/516230.jpg


http://talks.guns.ru/forums/icons/forum_pictures/000516/516232.jpg

 

[Fletch]

lol Hey Fletch: The jacket don't look THAT electrogay does it?

/F

Naa, you're fine. Very suitable for skulking around pre-war Berlin after dark in a newsy cap, a Muratti burning between your first and second fingers, looking for Eva Schmid-Kayser in an alleyway.

 

[birddog]

Baron,

I have the same coat, in a short version! It's a German police coat from the '60's & possibly earlier. When I arrived in Germany the first time in 1978, I bought one in the flea markets for about $10. They were cheap & plentiful back then

The short & long versions were essentially the same except the length. I believe the short models were used by police in cars & the longer versions by beat pounders. I still have the belt on mine, but unfortunately it shrank hanging in the closet for so long, & no longer fits.

Ugarte

 

[boyorastroboy]

... but unfortunately it shrank hanging in the closet for so long, & no longer fits.

Ugarte

Don't you hate it when that happens?!

 

[birddog]

Don't you hate it when that happens?!

It's a bummer, but a common occurance when one progresses from his 20's through his 50's. Funny, I know a lot of people that have had the same problem!

Ugarte