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LOT 1337
World War II Luftwaffe Officer’s Leather Flight Jacket and Flight Trousers - Offered here is a World War II Luftwaffe leather flight
jacket along with leather flight trousers. The jacket features a Ries main zipper, Eclair pocket zippers, lower pockets with button flaps, major shoulder insignia, and Luftwaffe Officer’s breast eagle on the left chest. This is a very popular style jacket worn by Luftwaffe fighter pilots. Includes a set of oberstleutnant shoulder insignia. The electrically heated winter leather flight trousers feature Ri-Ri, Zipp and Rapid brand zippers, large pockets with button and snap flaps on the front of both legs, back pocket with snap flap, electoral connector, and elastic suspenders. Originally developed by the French for World War I, heated flight gear was explored by both the Allies and the Axis during World War II, due to the medical perils of long range high altitude flight and winter operation, where the comfort of pilots and aircrew needed to be balanced against their ability to actually fit in and operate the aircraft. Lightweight, partially electrified suits are noted as having been deployed for use by Luftwaffe single-seat aircraft pilots, keeping hands and feet warm and useable without excessive bulk. CONDITION: The flight jacket and flight trousers are both very good and show honest wear and use. A great set of classic World War II Luftwaffe officer’s flight gear that displays nicely. Provenance: The George Petersen Collection; The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,500
LOT 1338
Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Themed Desk Clock/Art with Unit Decoration -
Measuring about 12 1/4 inches tall and about 8 inches wide, the item is shaped like an aluminum wingtip or control surface, with a set of three drilled and tapped mounting holes in the bottom edge (no base supplied). One side is fitted with a military style chronograph with glow in the dark paint markings. Mounted above is a pair of white shields, one bearing the red letter “R” and the other a design of a boot, and a bird’s head in a circle, below is a set of German language markings bearing the flags or roundels of multiple countries, with German spelling of the names (Deutschland, Frankreich, Russland, etc.). The chronograph is installed in a metal mount, with hinged access to reach the winding mechanism and the adjustment knob. The “R” shield is associated with Jagdgeschwader 2 “Richthofen”, the “boot” with IV Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51; both were established around 1939, and were involved in the Battle of France, Battle of Britain, action around the Mediterranean and the final defense of Germany, with JG2 seeing more action on the Western Front and JG51 engaged more heavily on the Eastern Front. The bird head has not been positively identified. CONDITION: Good overall. Some of the paint is worn or flaking, and the tip of the structure shows damage suggestive of shrapnel or a grazing bullet strike. The chronometer shows some damage to the hinge, and has not been function tested.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,000
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