SS Leather Panzer Jacket

[wolfslair44]

Limited photos, but anyone with any expertise on these, that can comment?

[wolfslair44]

Back and Inside

Looks like "TS" stamped, but could be something put in later.

[Gran Sasso]

Normally you see them with the small stand-up collar:

[panzermeyer]

I once had a jacket just like yours, and the old mand I got it from claimed that he got it from german ship left just after wwII ended!

[wolfslair44]

I once had a jacket just like yours, and the old mand I got it from claimed that he got it from german ship left just after wwII ended!

Yes, I know KM wore leather uniforms. This one is purported though to be for SS Panzer. I'm skeptical, which is why I ask whether anyone with any knowledge of these believes it to be good or not. Many thanks.

[Asper]

I own several leather jackets, short and long cuts, some with SS insignia. However, all purchases were made knowing that none of these could be proven as being worn by panzer crews. All branches wore these - especially towards the end of the war - some with modified collars including the one you shared here. However, I have noticed people always "upgrade" these to SS Panzer to squeeze additional funds out of it - which is really speculation.

As long as you're aware that resale may be limited to KM Leather prices - then you're good. Else nobody here will be able to give you any assurance on whether this jacket was worn by ss panzer crews, it could have been worn by anyone - including post-war use.

Hope his helps,

Asper

[-Ray-]

Looks like a KM issue example possibly modified with an added collar. The buttons are also a further point of discussion though.

The ones in the photo's are likely KM Jackets some how acquisitioned by SS members, not sure if, or how leathers were exclusively produced for the SS branch.
The cross use of various types of clothing/articles could be fairly common by all branches.

As long as it can be proven beyond word of mouth and without a doubt, otherwise it's a KM jacket at this point.


-Ray-

[wolfslair44]

I own several leather jackets, short and long cuts, some with SS insignia. However, all purchases were made knowing that none of these could be proven as being worn by panzer crews. All branches wore these - especially towards the end of the war - some with modified collars including the one you shared here. However, I have noticed people always "upgrade" these to SS Panzer to squeeze additional funds out of it - which is really speculation.

As long as you're aware that resale may be limited to KM Leather prices - then you're good. Else nobody here will be able to give you any assurance on whether this jacket was worn by ss panzer crews, it could have been worn by anyone - including post-war use.

Hope his helps,

Asper

Thanks for the help gents.

[billmunny]

SS Leather

These black leather KM jackets (and pants) were originally issued and used by the KM of course.

Before Italy's surrender, a quantity were intended for the Italian Navy but were subsequently commandeered by tankers of the 1st SS and 12th SS Panzer Divisions when they were on training in Beverloo, Belgium in 1944.

Many photos exist of guys like Wittmann and others wearing any combination of these jackets and pants, esp. in the fighting in Normandy and the Bulge. I've also seen a photo of a motorcycle dispatch rider wearing a set. Peiper even kept and wore his leather KM jacket long after the war (and wore it at his final home in Traves, France where he was murdered in '76).

[blamers]

Km

I did own the same jacket.

It's kriegsmarine, convert it to panzer.

Looks nice.

Change the nops in alluminium that looks better ;-)

[wolfslair44]

And so value is for a KM jacket then unless provenance will tie it to SS?

[blamers]

Value

Don't know value..without EK1 mabey 350/400 Euro's.( sold mine for 300 5 years ago)
Including alluminium nops.You can see pics from ardennes wearing them. Exactly the same.
Say complete with EK1 500.
IMO

And so value is for a KM jacket then unless provenance will tie it to SS?

[-Ray-]

I have noticed people always "upgrade" these to SS Panzer to squeeze additional funds out of it - which is really speculation. Asper

That's right, as we should refer to these kind of items as "Waffen $$"

-Ray-

[glaser]

I did own the same jacket.

It's kriegsmarine, converted to panzer.

Looks nice.

Change the nops in alluminium that looks better ;-)

This type with the sewn in leather band at the back side is not standard for a Kriegsmarine leather jacket! It would hamper your movement on a ship and also in a tank. Not a military jacket IMO!

[blamers]

jacket

The jacket is ecactly the same as the panzer guy at the picture, but the collar was shortened. They did this. Look at the thread from Asper. This is the truth.

This type with the sewn in leather band at the back side is not standard for a Kriegsmarine leather jacket! It would hamper your movement on a ship and also in a tank. Not a military jacket IMO!