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Need help identifying & dating sheepskin flight trousers...

Messages
16,497
Got these a few days ago but I have NO clue what they are so I would really appreciate your thoughts on the matter. Can anyone correctly ID 'em? Date? Anything at all?

Zippers are Zipp, RAPID and RITSCH, which to me would indicate German origin. Shearling is mega-heavy and thick though I'd say of post WW2 manufacture. Overall details are similar to RAF WW2 sheepskin flight trousers but there are many differences. Anyway, some pics (click to zoom in).

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Messages
16,497
Okay, so I've been told that these are in all probability original WW2 Luftwaffe flight trousers - Can anyone confirm this? I need to try to put a value on 'em, to be honest.
 

mihai

A-List Customer
Messages
331
Location
Europe
Hi there,
V nice pants!
Judging also by the snaps(waist, cuffs) and the waist tightening band (Kanal jacket had the same one) I'd say it's at least a German flying trouser. Not sure if mil spec. Does it have any label inside?
From the design I'd say they are from the 30s perhaps. I have a pair of similar design 30s pants of horsehide lined with sheepskin made by Switlik parachute (http://stumptown-traders.blogspot.com/2012/02/ww2-1-horsehide-flight-pants-by-switlik.html).
The 40s Luftwaffe pants have larger leg pockets/ more compartments, a different design.
 
Messages
16,497
Hi there,
V nice pants!
Judging also by the snaps(waist, cuffs) and the waist tightening band (Kanal jacket had the same one) I'd say it's at least a German flying trouser. Not sure if mil spec. Does it have any label inside?
From the design I'd say they are from the 30s perhaps. I have a pair of similar design 30s pants of horsehide lined with sheepskin made by Switlik parachute (http://stumptown-traders.blogspot.com/2012/02/ww2-1-horsehide-flight-pants-by-switlik.html).
The 40s Luftwaffe pants have larger leg pockets/ more compartments, a different design.

Thank you for the info, much appreciated, very informative!

No label, no army markings, nothing. Man, that's crazy to think about, that they're are from the 30's. Such a good condition & leather is so soft and nice that they feel like they've been very recently made. 90 freaking years old. Wow.

They're tough, heavy sheepskin thru and thru.

Now I just gotta figure out what to ask for 'em...
 

mihai

A-List Customer
Messages
331
Location
Europe
Welcome!
Yes indeed unbelievable. Mines are in a similarly good shape. I wouldn't be surprised if the outer shell is a different type of hide and the inside is sheepskin. At least that's what they look in the picture.
 
Messages
16,497
@mihai I just double-checked and you're right! The idea seemed too incredible to me, even though I couldn't figure out how they managed to do such natural feeling leather, without the lacquered top coat present on these shearling garments but you're right - the outer shell is something else while the shearling layer is separate! That explains the massive weight as they're practically doubled in leather!

Now I'm 90% sure that the shell is goat-hide, which would make sense. It's got the same texture and all and seems equally pliable. It's incredibly thick, too.
Mad quality on this piece for sure.
 

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