WW2 German Luftwaffe Fallschirmjager – RZ36 PARATROOPER PARACHUTE HARNESS – RARE

Description

You are bidding on an EXTREMELY RARE example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe RZ-36 Fallschirmjager Parachute Harness! This late-war parachute was used by all paratroopers when jumping from the Ju52 and He111.

The Fallschirmjäger were the paratrooper branch of the German Luftwaffe before and during World War II. They were the first German paratroopers to be committed in large-scale airborne operations. Throughout World War II the Fallschirmjäger commander was Kurt Student.

In 1941, Fallschirmjäger adopted the RZ20 (Rückfallschirm, Zwangablösung or “Backpack Parachute, Static Line Deployment”) parachute, which is distinguished from its predecessors by the harness’s four quick-release ports. Each release port can be opened by two quick actions.

Due to the excellent deployability of the chute from the pack tray upon exiting the aircraft, the trooper would be under a fully inflated canopy just over 120 ft from the plane.  This allowed them to jump super low (80-100 meters) and kept them out of the air for long periods of time.

The RZ-36 differed from the RZ-20, by having a delta-shaped parachute (based on the Soviet design); as well as a separate harness system.  This new design offered less of a shock to the wearer upon opening, and less swinging motion during the drop and a softer landing.

Made of cotton, canvas, and steel, this LATE-WAR “backpack type” RZ-36 Parachute Harness is in GOOD barn-find condition! Retains all the late-war hardware (including the buckle), but it is not 100% complete. This is in need of some restoration, and I do have some extra material for sale in my other listings, if someone wished to make this complete. As it is 80 years old, there is some slight scratching and corrosion on the metal fittings, as well as some marks and wear due to the age, but nothing that detracts. Various BA inspection stamps throughout. The risers were found with this harness, but I believe they are for a different parachute. Nonetheless, they will be included. I have shown its location in the last photos (complete parachute shown is NOT for sale, and for reference only). EXCEEDINGLY RARE, this would be a FANTASTIC restoration project! A PERFECT addition to any collection or display!