Original German WWII 1st Waffen-SS Panzer Division LAH Panzeräger NCO Leather Wrap Jacket with Throat Microphone & Awards – Formerly A.A.F. Tank Museum Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a fantastic example of a German WWII Leather “Panzer Wrap” Jacket, sometimes called a “wrapper”, outfit with the correct insignia for an Panzeräger Tank Destroyer NCO the 1st Waffen-SS Panzer Division LAH. It comes with some lovely period awards, as well as a throat microphone, which would be used for communication when inside tanks, as due to the large amount of noise standard microphones were useless.

This wonderful German WWII Panzer Leather Wrap Jacket set came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser’s donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when the set was acquired.

This lovely service used black leather “Panzer Wrap” features a fantastic five button double breasted front furnished with pebbled silvered buttons, which are hidden when the front is fastened. This is the CLASSIC look that tankers loved, and they are extremely desirable on the collector’s market. There are countless period photographs of panzer troops in these jackets, and even today many similar jackets are made by clothing companies all over the world. It is unlined, though it does look like there used to be an interior pocket on the left side, which was later removed. There is also a drawstring close to the bottom to help customize the fit. We were not able to find any maker markings on the interior.

The left sleeve of the wrap jacket has a completely correct 2nd Pattern machine embroidered EM/NCO SS-Ärmelhoheitsabzeichen (SS-Sleeve Allegiance Badge), made with gray silver thread on a black background. It now shows some fading towards tan due to age and use. Attached to the front of the jacket on the left side through thread loops are a German WWII Prussian Iron Cross First Class 1914 (EKI) and a Panzer Battle Badge in Silver Grade for Panzer troops. The lower left sleeve has a correct Post 1934 EM/NCO 1.SS-Panzer-Division LSSAH Ärmelstreiffen (Cuff Title), which is in the correct Sütterlin style script. It has silver bullion borders, with the embroidered words being in silver gray thread, correct for an EM/NCO.

On the shoulder are a love set of button attached (right button is missing) Waffen SS Panzer NCO button attached Schulterklappen (shoulder straps), which feature the correct black backgrounds used for Panzer armored troops. They feature the correct diamond weave NCO tresse piping around the entire circumference, and are attached with feldgrau straps underneath. The piping around the edges is Rosa (Rose-pink), which was the Waffenfarbe (corps color) during WWII for the Panzers (Armored Troops) and Panzerjäger (Tank Destroyers) in both the Heer Army and the Waffen SS. There is a single rank “pip” on the straps, which indicates the Waffen SS rank of SS-Oberscharführer (SS-Senior section leader), roughly equivalent to a Heer Feldwebel or U.S. Army Staff Sergant. The metal gothic P cypher on both straps indicates that the NCO was with a Panzerjäger (Tank Destroyer) unit. These were specific anti-tank units and guns within Panzer units dedicated to anti-armor warfare.

Condition is quite good considering the amount of service this jacket probably saw. It has a lovely patina and wear from real service in the field. It is complete aside from the previously mentioned missing button on the right shoulder. The included throat microphone is made from steel and bakelite, and is in very good condition. It is the correct type as used by Panzer troops.

A fantastic leather Panzer Wrap Jacket from the legendary and infamous 1st Waffen-SS Panzer Division LAH with some great awards and a throat microphone. This would make a great addition to any WWII armored warfare collection. Ready to research and display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 8.5″
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15”
Chest width: 18″
Waist width: 17″
Hip width: 17″
Front length: 22.5″

The 1st SS Panzer Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf H”, short LSSAH, (German: 1. SS-Panzerdivision “Leibstandarte SS Adolf H”) began as Adolf H’s personal bodyguard, responsible for guarding the Führer’s person, offices, and residences. Initially the size of a regiment, the LSSAH eventually grew into an elite division-sized unit during World War II.

The LSSAH participated in combat during the invasion of Poland, and was amalgamated into the Waffen-SS together with the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) and the combat units of the SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV) prior to Operation Barbarossa in 1941. By mid-1942 it had been increased in size from a regiment to a Panzergrenadier division and was designated SS Panzergrenadier Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf AH”. It received its final form as a Panzer division in October 1943.

Members of the LSSAH perpetrated numerous atrocities and war crimes, including the Malmedy massacre. They killed an estimated 5,000 prisoners of war in the period 1940–1945, mostly on the Eastern Front.