Original 1940s German WWII Goatskin Kradmelder Motorcycle Jacket

Dating from the 1940s, this remarkable goatskin motorcycle jacket is a survivor from the world of wartime European riding clothing. Long, belted and built for hard use, it is the type of substantial leather outerwear closely associated with German military motorcyclists and Kradmelder during the Second World War.

Kradmelder, or motorcycle-mounted military messengers, carried orders and communications between units, making practical and protective riding clothing an essential part of the role.

Cut from tough, substantial goatskin, the jacket wears a deep bottle-green finish, burnished by more than eighty years of use. Warmer brown tones have emerged naturally along the collar, seams and cuffs, while pronounced grain, creasing and tonal variation run across the larger panels. Despite its age, the hide remains exceptionally strong and supple.

The construction is purposeful. A shaped yoke gives structure across the chest, with two horizontal zipped breast pockets beneath and a further pair of angled zipped pockets lower on the body. Four secure external pockets provided genuine utility on the road, while period brass-toned ZIP hardware survives throughout, naturally darkened and mellowed with age.

A full leather belt draws the long body firmly into the waist, fastening through a leather-covered rectangular buckle. Broad button-adjustable cuffs close the sleeves, while the turn-down collar completes a silhouette shaped by practical riding rather than fashion.

Inside, the original moleskin lining remains in place, substantial and practical, with gathering through the waist beneath the outer belt. Its survival alongside the goatskin shell and period hardware adds considerably to the integrity of a working jacket now more than eight decades old.

There are no surviving maker's labels, military issue stamps or identifying marks, so the jacket cannot be attributed to a particular manufacturer, German formation or original wearer. What remains is the physical evidence of the garment itself: its period construction, ZIP hardware, original moleskin lining and long belted form, all characteristic of European motorcycle clothing associated with German riders and dispatch personnel of the era.

The jacket carries extensive evidence of its age and use in the grain, rubbing, creasing and changing tones of the green leather, while remaining remarkably substantial and structurally sound.

An unusually complete and evocative example of 1940s wartime riding clothing.

Condition & Restoration

Very good vintage condition for a goatskin motorcycle jacket dating from the 1940s, retaining extensive original character and naturally developed patina.

The goatskin remains exceptionally tough, substantial and structurally sound throughout. The deep bottle-green surface displays pronounced natural grain, creasing, rubbing and age-developed tonal variation, with warmer brown tones visible around the collar, cuffs, seams and other areas of repeated contact.

There are a number of small nicks and surface marks to the leather consistent with its considerable age and history of use. These form part of the jacket's established patina rather than significant structural damage and are clearly shown in the photographs.

The original moleskin lining remains in place and shows age-related wear consistent with a garment of this period.

The jacket has been specialist cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve the strength of the hide and its established surface character. The period ZIP fasteners have been refurbished, cleaned, waxed and polished and operate smoothly. Remaining hardware has also been carefully cleaned.

Overall, the jacket remains remarkably strong and wearable for its age, with the nicks, rubbing, creasing and tonal variation forming part of the genuine character developed over approximately eighty years.

All photographs show the actual jacket offered for sale. Please study them carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

Key Features

• Circa 1940s
• WWII-period European motorcycle jacket
• Type associated with German wartime motorcyclists and Kradmelder
• Tough, substantial goatskin construction
• Deep bottle-green leather
• Warm brown tones developed naturally through wear
• Pronounced original grain and patina
• Long, close-cut riding silhouette
• Shaped upper chest yoke
• Broad turn-down leather collar
• Period ZIP main zipper
• Two horizontal zipped breast pockets
• Two angled zipped lower pockets
• Four secure external zipped pockets
• Full leather waist belt
• Leather-covered rectangular buckle
• Broad button-adjustable cuffs
• Period brass-toned hardware
• Original moleskin lining
• No surviving maker's label or military markings
• Very good vintage condition

Garment Measurements, Laid Flat

• Chest, armpit to armpit: 22.5"
• Shoulders, seam to seam: 18.5"
• Sleeve, shoulder seam to cuff: 25"
• Sleeve, underarm seam to cuff: 17.5"
• Back length, collar seam to hem: 31.5"

Recommended for approximately a 40" chest / S/M, depending on your preferred fit and intended layering. For the best indication of fit, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket you already own.