U-086a Amazing, Third Pattern Luftwaffe
Paratrooper Smock, As Issued and Worn by a Member of the Italian RSI
This is produced in the “water” pattern, with an emphasis on
brown colors. Mixed in with the browns are tans and greens. This is in
absolutely fantastic condition throughout, with little to no wear or
discoloration at all! Being the third and final pattern used, it has zippered
pockets on either side of the collar and at the waist. All zippers function
perfectly and are produced in white Bakelite. The zipper pulls are marked
“RiRi” and have an additional soft grey leather tab, making them easier to
grip when wearing gloves. The armpits have slits for ventilation purposes. There
is a five button closure, with blue/grey Bakelite buttons being used (one is
missing a half but is still firmly attached). The cuffs are adjustable with
metal snaps (the male section marked “PRYM”). The right rear of the smock
has the built-in flare pistol “holster”. This has small blue/grey Bakelite
buttons. There is a small pocket just below this (for a magazine). You can
see where a trapezoidal Luftwaffe breast eagle once resided, having been removed
at some point in time and possibly during the period prior to May of 1945. This
exact piece was acquired from an advanced Italian collector who told me he
bought this from a Veteran of the RSI. The Repubblica Sociale Italiana was
formed in the fall of 19543 and represented Italian Units that continued to
fight on the German side. The interior is unlined and has a built-in cloth
waist belt. The left side is well-marked with size information and a RBNr. It
is a lar
Item U-086