BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. One of the traditional headgear items utilized during the Third Reich was the "Donald Duck" sailor’s cap intended for wear by all Junior NCO’s and enlisted personnel. The design of the cap underwent numerous minor modifications during the intervening years, including a cap with removable, interchangeable white and blue covers in April 1926. In December 1931 a final pattern was introduced that remained in use until the end of WWII with the only alterations being to the insignia and cap tallies worn. Regulations of October 29^TH 1936 replaced the previously used gilt wire thread for the script on the cap tallies with golden yellow celleon threads as a result of the earlier cap tallies oxidizing to a greenish verdigris tone. On November 1^ST 1938 the "Kriegsmarine" titled cap talley was introduced for wear as a security measure in the case of mobilization, and the wear of named cap tallies was restricted to barracks and on ships only if there was no possibility of them being seen by outside personnel. Additional regulations of September 5^TH 1939 withdrew all named cap tallies from further wear, to be replaced with the "Kriegsmarine" cap talley, for the duration of the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, private purchase, deep navy blue doeskin wool construction "Donald Duck" style sailor’s cap features a removable, one piece, circular crown and four piece body panels with machine stitched vertical seams to each side and the obverse and reverse centers. The internal crown stiffening wire stiffener has been removed but a small, vertical, internal stiffener to the front center is still intact giving the cap a nice relaxed appearance. The front center of the cap has a separate, gilt washed, stamped alloy, national eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in it’s talons and a three piece, national tri-color cockade. The eagle has lost all of its gilt wash and has reverted to the flat matte grey of the base alloy. The three piece national cockade consists of a black fluted, pressed cardboard base, a silver washed, alloy, roundel and an inserted red cardboard center dot. Only remnants of the silver wash remain on the roundel. The cap has a black silk cap talley with machine woven, Gothic script, "Kriegsmarine", in golden yellow celleon threads. The cap talley is secured to the cap by a vertical thread to each side and an additional two diagonally angled threads to the reverse center. The cap talley has long, extended, "tails" with diagonally cut ends creating the "swallow tail" effect. The interior crown of the cap is lined with black oilcloth with a couple of small tears and the original body lining and a leather sweatband have been removed revealing the underlying, clear celluloid centerband stiffener. The crown lining has is well marked with the faint white size inkstamp, "59" and the manufacturer’s name, location and date that appears to be, "Gebr. Alm Berlin 10/40". The exterior of the cap is in overall good condition with minor nap wear and age and usage toning.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $645.00