BACKGROUND: The "Schiffchenform", (Boat form), style overseas cap was originally developed by the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportverband, (German Air Sports League), the clandestine, civilian forerunner of the Luftwaffe, in 1933, and was adopted by the Luftwaffe shortly after its official establishment on February 26^TH 1935. The insignia on the caps included the Luftwaffe style national eagle and the circular, black, white, and red national tri-color cockade as introduced on March 14^TH 1933. The Luftwaffe pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, on August 18^TH 1934 and was officially adopted for wear by all Luftwaffe personnel on March 1^ST 1935. The original, short winged, first pattern national eagle was utilized until a, slightly modified, second pattern national eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations dictated that the national eagle was to be worn on almost all headgear and on the right breast of almost all uniforms with a few minor exceptions. The overseas caps for Company and Field grade Officer’s holding the ranks of Leutnant up to Oberst were distinguished from EM/NCO’s caps by bright silver/aluminum piping while Officers holding Generals ranks of Generalmajor up to Reichsmarschall utilized gold colored fittings and EM/NCO’s caps were generally not piped. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their headgear from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase headgear 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, Luftwaffe blue/grey, wool/tricot blend construction cap with a subtle whipcord weave, features fold down side and back panels with gently sloping, downward scallops to the front and forward sides. The top edge of the scalloped panels are piped in interwoven, bright, silver/aluminum braid. As is typical the fold down panels are handstitched in the upright position at the front center of the cap. The front center of the cap has a second pattern, (circa 1936/1937-1945), hand embroidered, Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a canted swastika in one talon in bright silver/aluminum wire threads with silver/aluminum bullion and pale grey cotton accent threads on a cut-out Luftwaffe blue/grey wool base. The eagle is handstitched to the cap. The front center of the fold down panels has a machine woven, national tri-color cockade in black, silver/aluminum flat-wire and red rayon threads on a woven, light blue/grey, diamond shaped rayon base. The cockade is also handstitched in place. The interior of the cap is fully lined in purplish, blue/grey rayon. The lining shows light to moderate moisture staining and has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The interior of the cap also has a small, partial, pebbled, blue/grey leather sweatband positioned at the front forehead section. The cap is in overall fairly good condition with light age and usage toning, three fair sized tears and a few small picks and pulls. The cap is roughly size 56.

GRADE ***1/4                             PRICE $895.00