Vintage WWII 1940s German Leather Motorcycle Jacket

There’s a certain weight to this piece that’s immediately apparent the moment it’s handled. Not just physical weight, but presence. The kind that comes from garments made with purpose, not decoration.

An original late 1930s to 1940s German motorcycle jacket, cut from heavyweight vegetable tanned cowhide and built for sustained use in demanding conditions. Pieces like this sit between civilian riding wear and early military dispatch jackets, where function dictated every line and detail.

The cut is long and controlled, shaped through an integrated belt that pulls the waist in cleanly while allowing movement through the shoulders and arms. It’s a balanced, deliberate pattern that works with the body rather than restricting it, giving the jacket its distinctive period silhouette.

The cowhide is dense, full grain, and firm in the hand. Vegetable tanning produces a tougher, more abrasion resistant leather that improves with use rather than breaking down. Over time, the surface has developed a deep, worked character, with pronounced grain, natural creasing, and tonal variation throughout. Areas of wear reveal warmer tones beneath the darker finish, creating a rich, honest patina while the structure of the hide remains strong and sound.

The front is direct and functional. An original RIES main zipper runs cleanly through the body and operates as it should. The pocket zips are marked RUHR, both correct German hardware of the period. The chest pocket is angled for ease of access, with lower hand pockets set into the waist. A shaped shoulder yoke reinforces the upper body, and the integrated belt with original buckle allows the fit to be adjusted cleanly.

Inside, the jacket is lined in green moleskin, a durable fabric used across German utilitarian garments of the era. It provides weight and insulation while sitting naturally within the jacket after decades of use.

Condition and Preservation

The jacket remains in very good vintage condition and has been professionally cleaned and conditioned in the workshop to bring the leather back into balance while preserving its original character. The cowhide remains firm and stable, showing natural wear, patina, and areas of chapping consistent with long-term use. Historic underarm repairs are present and form part of the jacket’s working life. The moleskin lining shows age-related wear but remains intact and functional. All hardware is present and fully operational, including the original RIES main zip and RUHR pocket zips.

An honest example from the period, defined by its material, construction, and years of real use.

Key Features

• 1940s German motorcycle jacket
• Heavyweight full grain vegetable tanned cowhide
• Naturally developed patina with areas of chapping
• Green moleskin lining
• Original RIES main zipper
• RUHR pocket zips
• Angled chest pocket
• Lower hand pockets set into the waist
• Integrated belted waist with original buckle
• Structured shoulder yoke

Garment Measurements (Laid Flat)

• Chest (Armpit to Armpit): 23"
• Shoulders (Seam to Seam): 19"
• Sleeve Length (Shoulder to Cuff): 27"
• Sleeve Length (Underarm to Cuff): 18"
• Back Length (Collar to Hem): 31"

Best suited to approximately a 42" chest. Please compare with a similar garment for accuracy.