BACKGROUND: Protective leather jackets, pants and coveralls were listed as special clothing and were issued to engine personnel, certain deck and bridge personnel and U-Boat personnel when engaged in specific functions. The protective leather garments came in a variety of styles and colors for specific personnel. This particular style of protective leather jacket was designed for use by deck and bridge personnel. Of Note: The German’s concern with leather shortages was evident as early as July 1937 when the Kriegsmarine issued regulations that the protective leather uniforms were only to be issued when necessary in at attempt to conserve the leather and that they were to be returned to a vessels stores for reissued as required, although it appears the order was not strictly adhered to. Officer and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots. Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored uniforms although the price may have been restrictive. Generally junior NCO’s and EM’s ranks didn’t wear any rank insignia on their leather jackets although senior NCO’s and Officers ranks usually wore removable shoulder straps/ boards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, heavy, three quarter length, double breasted style, multi-panel, grey leather construction jacket with fold back lapels and a large lay down collar. The jacket features two parallel, vertical, rows of five front closure buttons with the corresponding button holes position only on the left side of the front closure edge. The jacket has vertical, slash, lower breast pockets and an additional two, horizontal, slash hip pockets with straight edged flaps. The reverse of the jacket has a central, vertical, seam and a dual-ply, horizontal, simulated half-belt positioned at the waistline. The jacket has straight cut, non-adjustable sleeve cuffs. The large lay down collar has a separate, dual button holed, leather tab secured by a two, grey painted, molded, black bakelite buttons positioned beneath the left side with a corresponding button positioned beneath the right side for a secure neck closure in inclement weather. The jacket has no allowances for shoulder boards or any evidence of any ever having been applied. The interior of the jacket is fully lined with heavy charcoal grey wool to the body and brushed black rayon to the sleeves. The interior sleeves also have charcoal grey wool storm cuffs with tunnel looped elastics. The elastics are still quite taunt. The lining has a horizontal slash pocket to the left breast and about half of a white oilcloth label with black printed script, machine stitched to the nape of the neck. The script to the label includes, "Größe", (Size), and, "Datum", (Date), followed by blank spaces to write in the appropriate information although it is not visible. The jacket shows some genuine wear with moderate chafing and surface flaking to the grey finish through-out resulting in a somewhat mottled, flecked appearance. The nape of the collar has a small tear and the reverse of the collar has a machine stitched repair. The jacket appears to have been treated and the leather is still quite supple although it is slightly "tacky". The front closure buttons are all the matte grey washed, stamped alloy type and feature a vertically embossed, fouled anchor on a horizontally ribbed field encompassed by a raised smooth ring and a simulated twisted rope like outer ring. The reverse of the buttons all have matching, impressed, script, "Hochfeine Qualität", (High Fine Quality), and the stylized manufacturers initial/logo, "A", indicating manufacture by F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid. The buttons have lost most of their matte grey wash and reverted to the flat matte grey of the base alloy although they all appear to have their original stitching. These jackets were designed to fit over the standard service uniform and this example is roughly size 42" chest.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $468.00