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H032958 COMBAT ENGINEER EM/NCO'S VISOR CAP. (Schirmmütze)
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 14TH 1933 the Reichswehr’s oval black, red and gold cockade was replaced with a circular cockade in black, white, and red and on February 17TH 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 26TH 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 black being chosen for Pionier, (Combat Engineer), personnel, which was displayed as piping on the visor cap for EM/NCO’s and Company and Field grade officers. Of Note: As the spearhead troops, personnel serving with an Engineer unit, generally experienced higher casualties rates then standard units. 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: Nice quality, field-grey wool construction visor cap with a subtle whipcord weave features a blue/green, badge cloth centerband and black wool waffenfarbe piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the centerband. The internal crown stiffening wire, a vertical stiffener to the internal front center and the internal padding are all intact and maintain the caps rounded, crown shape with a low central peak. The front center of the cap has a silver washed, second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), die stamped, alloy construction, national eagle with out-stretched wings clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in it’s talons and the front center of the centerband has a silver washed, second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), die stamped, alloy, oak-leaf wreath encompassing a three piece, high relief, national tri-color cockade. The eagle is slightly convexed to fit the contours of the cap. The eagle retains about 85% of its silver wash with some light age tarnish. The oak-leaf wreath also retains about 85% of its silver wash and also shows spots of light age tarnish. The national tri-color cockade consists of a fluted, black alloy base, a silver washed, alloy roundel and an inserted, red felt centerpiece. The cap has a blackened, patent leather chinstrap intact with two, black painted, rectangular, sheet metal retaining clips and two, black painted, vertically oval, sliding length adjustment buckles. The chinstrap shows some light surface scarring. The chinstrap is secured to the cap by two, small, smooth finish, molded black bakelite buttons. The buttons may be replacements. The cap has an extended, forward, black lacquered, vulcanfibre visor with a subtly raised lip near the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in a waterproofed orangish/tan, cheesecloth. The crown lining has a stitch outline where a sweat rhomboid has been removed. The interior of the cap also has a wide, tan leather sweatband fully intact with a natural cork padding beneath the front forehead section. The reverse of the sweatband is well marked with the faint, black inkstamped manufacturer’s, name, location and date, "G. A, Hoffmann Berlin SW29 1938". The cap is in overall very good condition with small areas of light to moderate age and usage toning.
GRADE ***3/4 PRICE $595.00
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