BACKGROUND: The DRKB, "Deutscher Reichskriegerbund" (German National-veterans’-league), was formed during WWI, and was based on the DKB, "Deutscher Kriegerbund," originally formed after the Franco-Prussian war in the 1870s. By 1936 it had incorporated most of the varied veterans’ associations into it, and was itself re-named the NS-RKB, "Nationalsozialistische - Reichskriegerbund," in 1938. Uniform and headgear regulations were introduced prior to 1933, were modified in 1936, and again in 1938.  

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 1936 pattern, black wool construction visor cap. The cap features a one-piece circular crown, a body with seams to each of its cardinal points, a one-piece center band whose vertical seam is to the reverse, and a blackened leather visor. Hand sewn to the top circumference of the caps body is 2mm gilt wire rank piping. Fixed to the front of the cap is a first officially sanctioned pattern, two-piece insignia is comprised of a stamped alloy, open-topped gilt oak leaf wreath, 2 3/8" at its widest point and 1 3/4" tall, with a 15/16" ring, which has a rope-like border, attached to its center. To the center of the ring is an off-white cloth backdrop to a woven Iron Cross against a red square. To the center of the black Iron Cross, which is edged in white, is a white circle with the black silhouette of the Kyffhäuser monument. To the top front is a metal national korkarden. The black rayon center band features alternating, machine embroidered Kyffhäuserbund monuments, within shields and above tri-colors, and mobile swastikas. Fixed by the gilt washed, convex metal buttons positioned over each ear is a 1/2" wide gold/gilt wire chinstrap. The leather visor has blackened canvas reinforcing stitched along its edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in mid-blue rayon, and features a 1 1/2" wide, thin, tan leather sweatband. There is one small missing section from the liner, but not distracting. Stamped, in silver, to a celluloid diamond sewn to the interior crown is "Die Kyffhäuserbund Mütze" with an Imperial eagle logo. Both the lining and sweatband are otherwise only very lightly age and usage soiled. The wool to the exterior is remarkable well preserved, with only light age soiling. The cap is a size 58. Nice clean example, scarce to see with the gilt wire piping. Nice.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $357.00