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 engine 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 vessel’s stores for reissued as required, although it appears the order was not strictly adhered to. Officers 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: Three-quarter length, multi-panel, blackened leather construction jacket features a vertical, five button, front closure with a single metal hook and eye positioned at the forward neckline and a small, stand-up, collar. The bottom front closure button has come un-stitched, but is included. The left breast of the jacket has a horizontal slash, pocket with a straight edged, overlapping flap. The right breast panel is well marked between the second and third front closure buttons, with a large, deeply stamped Eagle over "M", indicating Kriegsmarine issue. Of Note: The stamped Eagle over "M" would be hidden when the jacket was buttoned. The jacket also has two, horizontal slash, forward hip pockets also with straight edged, overlapping flaps. The straight cut, sleeve cuffs have a horizontal, button holed, leather strap, machine stitched to the inside sleeve seam with two, corresponding, fit adjustment buttons near the outside sleeve seam. One of the left cuff buttons has come un-stitched, but is included. The reverse of the jacket has a central, vertical, seam with no tail skirt vent. The interior of the jacket is fully lined in heavy, mottled, charcoal grey, wool with a black rayon lining to the sleeves. The interior right breast has a leather reinforced, horizontal slash, pocket. The sleeve lining has the addition of charcoal grey wool "storm cuffs" with tunnel looped elastics to the ends. The "storm cuff" elastics are still quite taunt. The lining has a white, fabric, tailor’s label with black inkstamped script, machine stitched to the nape of the neck. The script to the label includes the tailor’s name and location, "Hans Trepto & Co, Radebaul 5", the date, "15.Feb.1942", and the size, "54". The jacket is in overall very good condition with small areas of light chafe wear and minor age and usage toning. The buttons are all the gilt washed, stamped magnetic sheet metal type with a vertically, embossed fouled anchor on a horizontally ribbed field encompassed by a raised smooth ring and a simulated twisted rope like outer ring and all retain the majority of their original age dulled gilt wash. All but one of the buttons have impressed, matching script, "Besonders Haltbar", (Especially Durable), and the stylized manufacturers logo to the reverse and all appear to have their original stitching. The front closure buttons have small, molded, black bakelite reinforcement discs to the interior. The protective leather uniforms were intended to fit over the standard service uniform and were cut large as result. This example is roughly a size 42" chest.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $895.00