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 lemon yellow being chosen for Nachrichten, (Signals), 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: Nice quality, transitional, private purchase, field-grey doeskin wool construction visor cap with a blue/green badge cloth center band and bright lemon yellow wool waffenfarbe piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the center band. Front center and the internal padding are intact and give the cap a nice, relaxed, saddle form shape with a high central peak. The front center of the cap features a second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), stamped, silver washed, aluminum national eagle. The front center of the center band has a early second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), stamped, silver washed, alloy, oak-leaf wreath encompassing a three piece national tri-color cockade. The national tri-color cockade consists of a fluted, black alloy base, a silver washed alloy roundel and an inset, red felt center dot. The cap has a twisted silver/aluminum chin cord which is secured in place by two, small, silver washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal buttons. The cap has a black lacquered vulcanfibre visor with a subtly raised lip near the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in golden/tan rayon. Sweat diamond is nicely maker marked to "P Brieter". Sweat diamond is all present, but has several tear to the center. The interior of the cap also has a wide, natural tan leather sweatband, with ventilation perforations to the front forehead section, machine stitched in place. Cap is approximately a size 58". There are a couple of small moth nips to the piping, and what looks to be one small repair. Centerband has one small nip and the expected nap wear. Shows period use and age with one small stain to the top of the crown. Nice period cap that actually saw service and wear.