Original 1930s French M1929 Leather Flying Aviation Coat For Sale

REVIVE & RESTORE VINTAGE GARMENTS SHAPED BY TIME, REVIVED TO ENDURE. 1930s French M1929 Noël Cuir Leather Flying Coat – Armée de l’Air Behind the Piece

A substantial original French M1929 leather flying coat dating from the 1930s, this example survives with its original Noël Cuir woven manufacturer’s label, marked “Marque Déposée” with a Paris 20e address. Its heavyweight construction, checked wool lining and deeply aged leather place it firmly within the protective aviation clothing of the inter-war period.

The M1929 belongs to a generation of flying clothing developed when military aircrew operated in aircraft offering comparatively little protection from wind and cold. Long leather coats provided a durable outer barrier, while substantial wool linings supplied the insulation required for prolonged exposure in the air.

The pattern also has a documented connection with Polish aviation history: period photographs show French M1929-type leather flying coats worn by Polish airmen in France during 1939 and 1940. There is no known individual provenance connecting this particular coat to a Polish airman, but it is an original example of the same French flying-coat pattern.

The leather is the defining feature. Exceptionally substantial brown hides retain considerable body and structure while having softened naturally through approximately nine decades of wear. The darker original finish has developed into deep chocolate, tobacco and russet tones, particularly across the shoulders, sleeves, collar, belt and other areas exposed to repeated movement.

Construction is purposeful throughout. The long overlapping front is secured by leather-covered buttons and framed by broad notched lapels, with distinctive parallel stitched detailing across the upper chest. A buttoned flap pocket sits high on the chest, while two large hand pockets are incorporated into the lower body.

A full leather belt passes around the waist through substantial loops and closes with its original metal buckle. Leather cuff-adjustment straps, internal wrist storm cuffs and underarm vents add further practical detail, while long sweeping shoulder seams allow the heavy leather to fall naturally through the upper body.

Inside, the coat retains its substantial cream, brown and grey checked wool lining. Beneath the internal chest pocket sits the original Noël Cuir label. The survival of the label alongside the original buttons, belt, buckle, cuff adjusters and storm cuffs makes this an especially complete example.

Condition & Preservation

Very good vintage condition for an original leather flying coat of this age. The heavyweight leather remains strong, supple and fully wearable, with extensive age-related surface wear consistent with genuine use.

The darker original finish has naturally worn in areas to reveal warmer tobacco and russet tones beneath. Deep creasing, scratches, scuffs, surface marks and tonal variation are present throughout and form an important part of the coat’s character.

The original buttons, full waist belt, metal buckle, belt loops and leather cuff-adjustment straps remain present. Internally, the checked wool lining remains well preserved for its age, and the original Noël Cuir woven label remains present and legible.

The coat has been specialist cleaned and carefully conditioned in-house using our workshop leather-care blends. No attempt has been made to recolour areas of natural finish loss or artificially disguise the character acquired over its long life.

Key Identifying Features • Original French M1929 leather flying coat
• Dating from the 1930s
• French military aviation / Armée de l’Air pattern
• Original Noël Cuir manufacturer’s label
• “Marque Déposée” / Paris 20e marking
• Exceptionally substantial brown leather
• Deep chocolate, tobacco & russet colouring
• Extensive naturally developed patina
• Long protective flying-coat silhouette
• Broad notched lapels • Overlapping buttoned front
• Original leather-covered buttons
• Buttoned flap chest pocket
• Two lower hand pockets
• Full leather waist belt & original buckle
• Leather cuff adjustment straps
• Internal wrist storm cuffs
• Underarm vents
• Heavy checked wool lining
• Specialist cleaned & conditioned in-house Garment Measurements, Laid Flat Chest, armpit to armpit23.5\" Shoulders, approximate19\" Raglan sleeve, neck to cuff31.5\" Underarm to cuff18.5\" Back length, collar seam to hem35\"

Best suited to approximately a 43\" chest for a comfortable fit. The long protective cut and substantial wool lining should be taken into account when assessing the internal fit.

For the best indication of fit, please compare the measurements above with a similar heavyweight coat you already own.

Approximately nine decades have transformed the original finish into a landscape of folds, grain and changing brown tones. The history is in the leather itself. REVIVE & RESTORE VINTAGE Specialist Vintage Garment Restoration & Preservation Calderdale Valley, England VAT: GB 476999305 · CRN: 08207405