Flight Jacket Hartmann: black Horse hide

I’ve been wanting to buy a proper leather jacket for a long time, and after extensive research, I finally decided on the Hartmann jacket in black horsehide. I couldn’t be happier with my choice!

The quality of both the leather and workmanship is as good as it gets.
The craftsmanship and the quality of leather (front quarter full-grain horsehide) used in this jacket are truly exceptional, matching the quality you’d find in jackets from other companies at three times the price.

I’m extremely satisfied with my purchase and would highly recommend this jacket to anyone looking for top-tier quality.

this one runs a little smaller than the others , suggesting order one size larger, super quality , the leather is shinning , smell great, very cool jacket.

After trying on a friends black horsehide jacket I know I had to get one. I ordered one on the Nobel House Amazon store but due to a glitch in the Amazon site I received an XL which is way to big for me. It was returned and a refund was given. I then went to the Nobel House website and ordered one there. The customer service advisor Miriam was wonderful advising me on the best size for me after I gave her my measurements. Once one my size was available it was shipped but for some reason it was returned to the company in Germany. It was reshipped to me by UPS (rather than DHL). When it arrived I was told I had to pay a £77.81 import tax fee (that I didn’t have to pay on the DHL delivery). Miriam really tried to get the jacket delivered explaining to UPS for hours but in the end if I wanted this jacket I had to pay the fee.
OK .. now about the jacket. It is everything I had hoped for. The fit is not as fitted as the authentic 40’s issue but close enough. The quality of the horsehide, lining, rippers, buttons and stitching are all perfect. The hide is a nice heavy top quality grade and really durable but they comfortable. The lining is warm flannel material (rather than cheap fake silk). The rippers are ages brass which is much more subtle that shiny steel zippers. I have many leather jackets but this Hartmann jacket is #1 and probably the best I have ever had. Many thanks to the Nobel House team and artisans who make them !!

When I decided to order the Hartmann jacket I selected the black horsehide version because photographic evidence suggested that this was the type Erich Hartmann used to wear. I did not hurry with the review as early opinions are often driven by emotions, I decided instead to give my jacket a use test first so as to be able to refer to real user experience when sharing my comments.

Delivery from Noble House was fast as usual, no surprise here. The parcel was very well packed and a new product catalogue was included. What astonished me from the very first glance was outstanding (really unparalleled) quality of the leather used for production. It is very smooth, lightly stiff so as to keep shape and has a glossy finish. High quality marks each and every element of the jacket – inner lining, stitching, buckles, zippers, pockets… Inside there are two badges with the emblem of Jagdgeschwader 52, Hartmann’s wartime unit, which only adds to the already extremely positive impression.

Initially I had a slight concern related with the shape of flaps covering lower outside pockets. The Noble House jacket has them slightly rounded while similar historical jackets preserved in museums and private collections tend to have them more rectangular in shape. My doubts were dispelled, however, when I came across a photo of Erich Hartmann on an air strip somewhere on Eastern Front – after I had enlarged it and examined a fragment of the flap visible I discovered that it was of a rounded type, just like the Noble House flap. Hats-off and full respect, that’s all I can say.

Attention to historical detail is what I value above all in this type of product. The Hartmann jacket (in fact currently I own two of these) gives no reason to complain whatsoever. It quickly became my all-round piece of garment, the only time when I am not wearing it are hot summer days. Most of the time I wear it interchangeably with the Bf-109 jacket. Both turn heads of most people, while using them I am frequently asked where I bought them. My usual reply is: “well, there is only one place on mother Earth where you can get these and it happens to be in Ulm, Germany”...

At this point I need to give all future buyers a piece of advice – when placing your order don’t be lazy and don’t just follow standard sizes (M, L, XL, etc.). Take careful measurements suggested at the Noble House website and ask their team to pick an item as close to your actual size as possible. A little effort will pay off and will guarantee your satisfaction, remember that these jackets are not machine produced on a factory line. They are hand-crafted and, just like in case of any handmade product, there might occur slight variations in size as compared to standard dimensions. In return you will receive a timeless item of exceptional quality, daily wear will only add character to your jacket over years.