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H071759 PANZER EM/NCO'S VISOR CAP. (Schirmmütze)
BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all armed forces 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 the Weimar era, (Circa 1919-1933), Reichswehr, (National Defence {Force}), pattern oak-leaf wreath and cockade and a blackened leather chinstrap for all ranks. In February 1927 new chin cords for Officer’s 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 pink being chosen for Panzer, (Armored), 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, private purchase, visor cap with a slightly mottled, field-grey doeskin wool/rayon blend body and crown, a blue/green badge cloth centerband with pink wool waffenfarbe piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the centerband. The internal crown stiffening wire has been removed but an internal padding and a vertical stiffener to the internal front center are still intact and give the cap a very desirable, "Sattelform" shape with overlapping side panels and a nice, high, central, forward peak. The front center of the cap has a silver washed, second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), silver washed, stamped alloy, national eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in it’s talons. The eagle is slightly convexed to fit the contours of the cap and retains over 95% of it’s silver wash and is still quite clean and bright. The front center of the centerband has a second pattern, (circa 1935-1945), silver washed, stamped alloy, oak-leaf wreath encompassing a three piece, high relief, national tri-color cockade. The wreath retains over 95% of it’s silver wash with a rich yellowish patina. The national tri-color cockade consists of a fluted, black, alloy base, a silver washed, alloy roundel and an inserted, red felt centerpiece. The roundel retains about 75% of its silver wash with light to age tarnish. The eagle and wreath/cockade are secured to the cap by bent over prongs on the reverse. The cap has a blackened, patent leather chinstrap intact with two, black painted, vertically rectangular, sheet metal retaining clips and two, black painted, vertically oval, sliding length adjustment buckles. The chinstrap is secured to the cap by two, small, smooth finish, black painted, magnetic sheet metal buttons. The chinstrap shows some light surface scarring. 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 ribbed, golden/tan rayon and the interior crown lining has a clear, celluloid sweat rhomboid fully intact. The interior of the cap also has a wide, tan alkor sweatband with an inserted strip of natural cork padding to the reverse of the front forehead section. As is typical the alkor sweatband has stiffened with age and has a few creases and surface cracks and some replaced, hand stitching. The cap has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The cap is in overall very good condition with light age and usage toning and numerous small moth nips primarily to the waffenfarbe piping to the top of the centerband which is mostly hidden beneath the overlapping side panels. The cap is roughly size 59.
GRADE ***3/4 PRICE $1,309.00
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