BACKGROUND: The "Schiffchenform", (Boat form), style overseas cap was originally developed by the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportverband, (German Air Sports Association), 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. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the German army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms and equipment in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform, headgear and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1^ST to September 30^TH). The tropical overseas cap was based on the standard continental overseas cap but in a different color and material. The insignia on the tropical overseas caps consisted on the Luftwaffe style national eagle as originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV and adopted by the Luftwaffe on March 1^ST 1935 and the standard black, white and red national tri-color cockade, on tan colored bases. The tropical overseas caps were piped in the same manner as the continental style overseas caps, and later the M43 field caps with no piping for EM/NCO ranks, silver piping for Officer’s ranks of Leutnant to Oberst and gilt piping for General Officer’s ranks of Generalmajor to Reichsmarschall . Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps 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 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: Light weight, ribbed, tan, cotton twill construction cap features fold down side and back panels with gently sloping, downward scallops to the front and forward sides. The front center of the cap has a machine embroidered, second pattern (circa 1936/1937-1945), Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a canted, swastika in one talon in pale silvery/grey rayon threads on a ribbed, tan cotton twill base. The cotton base has been folded into an inverted triangle and is neatly handstitched in place. The front center of the fold down panels has a machine embroidered, padded, national tri-color cockade in black, white and red rayon threads. The cockade is also neatly handstitched to the cap. The interior of the cap is fully lined in light weight tan cotton. The lining is well marked with the faint, black inkstamped size, "56", the date, "1940", and the mostly illegible, manufacturer’s name and location within a rectangular border that appears to include, "August Schellenberg". The interior lining also has the black, handwritten, owner’s name, "Kohl". The cap is in overall very good condition with a couple of small picks and pulls and minor age and usage toning. Seldom encountered tropical overseas cap manufacturer.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $ SOLD