BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individuals rank. Originally the insignia worn on the visor caps consisted of the Weimar Reichswehr pattern oak-leaf wreath and cockade and a blackened leather chinstrap for all ranks. In February 1927 new chin cords for Officer ranks were introduced with silver cords for the ranks of Leutnant to Oberst and gilt cords for the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall. On March 14^TH 1933 the Reichswehr’s oval black, red and gold cockade was replaced with a circular cockade in black, white, and red and on February 17^TH 1934 the Third Reich pattern national eagle for the army was officially introduced for wear on the visor cap. In March 1935 a new, more detailed, pattern wreath and cockade and a second, larger pattern national eagle were also introduced for wear and in late 1935 regulations altered the Reichswehr era field-grey colored centerband to a dark blue/green coloration which was utilized until the end of the war. Further regulations of February 26^TH 1936 also permitted senior NCO’s who were Officer Candidates to wear the Officers twisted silver/aluminum chin cord on their visor caps as opposed to the standard EM/NCO’s leather chinstrap. The different branches of service within the army were allocated a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with bright red being chosen for Artillerie, (Artillery), personnel which was displayed as piping on the visor cap for EM/NCO’s and Company and Field grade officers. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their caps from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase visor caps of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their caps from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored caps although the price may have been restrictive.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very nice quality, private purchase, visor cap with a slightly mottled, field-grey doeskin wool body and crown, a blue/green badge cloth centerband with bright red wool waffenfarbe piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the centerband. The internal crown stiffening wire, an internal padding and a vertical stiffener to the internal front center are all still intact and retain the caps "Tellerform" shape with a nice, high, central, forward peak. The front center of the cap features a silver washed, second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), stamped alloy national eagle with out-stretched wings clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in its talons. The eagle retains about 80% of its age dulled, silver wash. The front center of the centerband has a nice quality, hand embroidered, oak-leaf wreath in bright, silver/aluminum threads encompassing a highly vaunted, three piece, national tri-color cockade. The national tri-color cockade consists of a fluted, black alloy base, a polished aluminum roundel and an inset red felt centerpiece. The wreath and cockade are mounted on a cut-out, blue/green badge cloth base that is neatly handstitched to the cap. The wreath shows moderate to heavy oxidization giving it a frosty white appearance. The cap has a bright, twisted silver/aluminum chin cord which is secured in place by two, small, silver washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal buttons. The cap has an extended, forward, black lacquered vulcanfibre visor with a subtly raised lip to the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in ribbed, golden/tan rayon. The interior crown lining has a clear celluloid sweat diamond with a couple of small tears intact. The lining beneath the sweat diamond has a gilt paper label with black printed script that includes, "Fabrik-Marke", (Manufacturer’s Trade Mark), "Gesetzl. Geschützt", (Protected by Law), and the manufacturer’s acronym, "Viro", indicating an unknown manufacturer. The interior of the cap also has a wide, tan leather sweatband with ventilation perforations to the front forehead section intact. The cap is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and about a half dozen small moth nips to the waffenfarbe piping, The cap is roughly size 55.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $982.00