BACKGROUND: The SA, "Sturmabteilung" (Storm-troops), were originally formed in August of 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (National-socialist German Worker’s-party). As with the Nazi party, the SA was structured along para-military lines. Most of its recruits were from the ranks of the various "Freikorps" groups of the day, composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers, and they were first utilized at a Nazi party meeting in Munich in November of 1921. Originally, members of the SA had no official headgear, and most wore a grey, Austrian-style ski cap until the introduction of the soft kepi in 1924. It was modified in 1929, taking, effectively, its final "coffee can" form. After 1933, the colored tops which had hitherto been reserved for SA leaders were extended to all ranks.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1937 pattern, tan wool twill construction cap. Cap crown and stitched up scalloped side panels in tan wool twill with a section of pink wool, just below the crown edge and beneath the side panels. Two ventilation grommets to wool section, just below crown edge to either side. Internal crown wire stiffener intact. 1937 SA pattern, stamped zinc national eagle. Eagles wash retained about 30%. Zinc/silver washed, 20mm diameter, pebbled button to front center of cotton twill panel. Brown leather chinstrap with rounded cornered. Short visor with tan wool twill covering over internal stiffener and two rows of reinforcement stitching near forward edge. Interior crown lined in rust/tan oilcloth, with black inkstamped size, "54". Cap sides are lined in tan buckram. Its Havana brown alkor sweatband shows light chafe wear, with a few tears, but is otherwise intact. Tan oilcloth RZM tag with white script and black inkstamped particulars stitched under sweatband. Top wool section and button color indicate cap was worn by a member of SA-Gruppe Südmark. Typical, light age soiling is evident throughout. The ranks of SA-Mann through SA-Obertruppführer wore these un-piped kepi with their group color exposed above the fold-down panels. Nice untouched example.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $952.00