BACKGROUND: The Hitler Youth may be traced back to March of 1922, with the formation of the "Jugendbund der NSDAP" (Youth-league of-the NSDAP), under control of the SA. In April of 1924 the "Jugendbund der NSDAP" was renamed "Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung" (Greater-german Youth-movement), and in July of 1926 the "Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung" was officially renamed "Hitlerjugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend" (Hitler-youth League of-the german Worker-youth). Prior to 1925, an assortment of uniform items were worn by "Hitler Jugend" members, mainly consisting of a white shirt and HJ armband. In an attempt to associate themselves more closely with the Nazi Party, the HJ adopted the NSDAP brown shirt in 1925. The earliest known headgear worn by the Hitler Youth was a soft, civilian style visor cap, and a beret, that were utilized as early as 1926. Uniform regulations of 1933 discontinued both of these early caps, replacing them with a new visor cap. The Model 1937 Winter HJ/DJ Uniform was introduced in that year, and included a ski cap similar to the "Bergmütze" worn by the army.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A black wool visored cap with doubled-up, fold-down side panels, in the same material as the one-piece crown and two-piece body of the cap, which narrow and slope towards the front where one end terminates in a single-pronged, alloy buckle, and the other features single buckling hole & grommet. Very nice HJ insignia is pinned to the front seam of the cap. Insignia is maker marked "M1/128" for Eugen Schmidhäussler of Pforzheim. Caps visor is fully covered in the same black cloth as the body and is trimmed in a patent leather like ersatz material. Cap is fully lined in a blue colored rayon. No markings present. The cap exhibits typical, light nap wear, and equally light age and usage soiling. Decent example.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $150.00