Original 1950s Austrian Motorcycle Police Leather Jacket RIES Hardware

Dating from the late 1950s to early 1960s, this original Austrian police motorcycle jacket comes from the post-war period when leather riding clothing was still in service with Austrian Gendarmerie motorcycle units. Cut from heavily grained cowhide, its compact proportions, reinforced kidney section and adjustable waist reflect a garment designed around the practical requirements of motorcycle patrol.

The leather is firm and substantial, with years of service wear revealing warmer brown beneath the dark surface, particularly across the shoulders, sleeves, seams and edges. Scuffs, scratches and deep creasing give the hide considerable character while leaving it strong and structurally sound.

Its most distinctive construction is found around the lower body. A broad diamond-quilted kidney panel reinforces the back, with the same treatment continuing around the front. Twin leather straps with metal D-rings allow the waist to be drawn closer to the body, a practical detail well suited to riding.

Four zipped external pockets provide secure storage, with two horizontal pockets across the chest and two angled below. Period RIES zipper hardware survives throughout.

The broad turn-down collar retains one of the jacket's most interesting traces of its former service life. Stitching and ghost marks remain where police badges or insignia were once fitted. The insignia themselves are no longer present, but the original marks have been left undisturbed.

Inside, the original body lining shows considerable fading and surface wear from use but remains remarkably complete, with no rips or tears. Contrasting lighter sleeve linings also survive.

No maker's label or identifying internal markings remain. Based on its construction and period details, the jacket dates to approximately the late 1950s or early 1960s.

A particularly characterful example of post-war Austrian police motorcycle clothing, retaining the wear, construction and traces of service that distinguish an original working garment.

Condition & Restoration

Very good vintage condition for its age.

The cowhide remains strong, substantial and structurally sound. There is extensive genuine wear throughout, including rubbing, scuffs, scratches, creasing and areas where the dark surface has worn through to reveal the warmer brown leather beneath. These are clearly visible in the photographs and form an important part of the jacket's character.

The original body lining remains intact with no rips or tears despite considerable fading and surface wear. The contrasting sleeve linings also remain in place.

The original main zipper pull was missing when the jacket arrived with us. A closely matched replacement pull has been fitted in our workshop to sit sympathetically alongside the surviving period hardware.

The jacket has been specialist cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve the established surface of the leather. The zippers have been refurbished, cleaned, waxed and polished and operate smoothly. The remaining hardware has also been carefully cleaned.

Overall, the jacket remains remarkably strong and wearable for its age, with the wear to the leather and lining consistent with a piece of working motorcycle clothing from this period.

All photographs show the actual jacket offered for sale and form an important part of the condition description.

Key Features

• Late 1950s to early 1960s
• Original Austrian police motorcycle patrol jacket
• Post-war Austrian service riding clothing
• Firm, heavily grained cowhide
• Dark leather with warmer brown undertones exposed through wear
• Pronounced original grain and patina
• Compact riding cut
• Shaped front and rear yokes
• Broad turn-down leather collar
• Ghost marks from former police badges or insignia
• Four zipped external pockets
• Two horizontal zipped chest pockets
• Two angled zipped lower pockets
• Period RIES zipper hardware
• Diamond-quilted kidney reinforcement
• Quilted lower front construction
• Twin leather waist adjusters
• Metal D-rings
• Original body lining
• Contrasting original sleeve linings
• Closely matched replacement main zipper pull
• No surviving maker's label
• Very good vintage condition

Garment Measurements, Laid Flat

• Chest, armpit to armpit: 24"
• Shoulders, seam to seam: 19.5"
• Sleeve length, shoulder seam to cuff: 26"
• Sleeve length, underarm seam to cuff: 17"
• Back length, collar seam to hem: 26"

Best suited to approximately a 42 inch chest for a regular fit, or a 44 inch chest for a closer, slimmer fit. For the best indication of fit, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket you already own.