Germany, Luftwaffe. A Summer Flight Jacket

(Luftwaffe Fliegerjacke). A well-preserved Luftwaffe summer flight jacket, constructed of a mottled light khaki-tan cotton blend. It features a turned-down collar reinforced along the reverse with machine-stitched darts, and with an integral strap emanating from the left side, perforated with two reinforced buttonholes, which meets a bakelite button on the right side for a flush closure. The flaps close with a metal zipper (rendered non-functional by the loss of the slider’s tab) which, when closed, is held in place with an integral snap button emanating from just below the collar. An array of six metal clips situated over the zipper holds the flaps flush over the teeth. The right breast flap bears an insignia in the form of a dark grey wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver-grey Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, secured in place with hand stitching and likely indicative of replacement. The eagle is flanked by a dark grey leather strap which is stitched into two segmented loops. A single pocket is situated at the upper left breast, and conceals a functional replacement zipper. Dual metal buttons close the cuffs, which also feature protruding liners fastening closed with functional snap buttons. Dual snap buttons and a functional metal buckle situated at the lower edge of the flaps close the jacket along the wearer’s waist. A single interior pocket is stitched in place on the right breast, while the lower left flap retains a cotton label bearing a stamped Reichsbetriebsnummer (RBNr.) of “0/0250/0274” for an unconfirmed Berlin manufacturer. Additional codes of “303” and “22” are stamped inside the exterior breast pocket. The jacket measures approximately 43 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 56 cm, and an overall body length of 58 cm. Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include minor material fatigue throughout the material, with some oxidation of the metal elements. A scarce example of a flight jacket commonly used by Luftwaffe personnel in the Mediterranean and North African theatres, it remains in an overall better than very fine condition.