G013257 "S.M.S. VON DER TANN" EM/NCO'S "DONALD DUCK" CAP. (Mannschaftsmütze) The German "Donald Duck" sailor’s cap ("Mannschaftsmütze" (Enlisted-cap), "Tuchmütze" (Cloth-cap), or "Dienstmütze" (Service-cap)) was based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848. The cap is comprised of a one-piece circular crown, a body with seams to each of its cardinal points, and a one-piece center band, whose vertical seam is to the reverse. All of the wool elements are dark blue, and along the crown edge and base of the center band is dark blue piping. Fixed over the padded, forward seam line of the body is a 7/8" diameter, stamped metal cockade. It features the painted, national tri-colors of red, to its raised center, white to the depression outlining that center, and black along its serrated, outside edge. All but a spot to the center of the red has been retained, two sections of wear may be seen to the white, and about a quarter of the black paint has worn away. Beneath it, and covering the center band, is a 1 5/16" wide, black silk cap tally, unto the forward portion of which is machine woven, in faded, gilt threads, "S.M.S. Von Der Tann." To the reverse, either end of the horizontal cap tally is folded at right angles over retaining threads, and descends vertically, forming two, approximately 15" long "tails," each with diagonally cut ends. The cap tally exhibits light color fading and soiling, and has light oxidization stains near several small perforations which metal pins had evidently passed through. To the interior, its 1 3/16" wide blackened oilcloth sweatband exhibits moderate chafe wear, and has a horizontal tear to its reverse, but is otherwise intact, and still retains its white silk adjusting cord. What appears to be "L" and "M" has been scratched unto the right side of the sweatband. The body is lined in black cotton, and the crown in black oilcloth, both of which are intact and exhibit only light age and usage wear. To the interior crown is printed, in silver, "Wilhelmshavener Marine Haus" (Wilhelmshaven’s Navy House) arching over a mostly obscured shield, which is surmounted by a crown, has flags to either side of its top and sprays of oak leaves rising from either side of its base. What appears to be "H," "L" and "W" is, respectively, to either side and to the base of the shield. Beneath the aforementioned, also in silver, is printed "H. Lenzner" (the manufacturer), "Bismarckstr. 63" and "Filiale Marktstr. 21" (their locations). Beneath these silver stamps had been handwritten what was most likely the original owner’s name and serial number, in red, which is presently only partially discernible. The wool exterior is typically nap worn and lightly soiled, but has no tears or repairs. Approximately a size 55 (U.S. size 6 3/4 - 6 7/8). Of Note: The S.M.S. ("Seiner Majestät Schiffe," or, His Majesty’s Ship) von der Tann was launched in 1909, commissioned in 1911, and took part in the battle of Jutland, in 1916, where she sank the HMS Indefatigable. She was scuttled at Scapa Flow, in 1919, after being interned at the end of the war.

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