BACKGROUND: Both Flieger-HJ and Flakhelfer HJ personnel wore this style cap, that was very similar to the standard Armed forces M43 and Mountain caps. In fall on 1944 HJ Flakhelfer were also issued the standard LW M43 cap with Luftwaffe eagle. Both styles were worn side by side until the wars end.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Luftwaffe blue/grey wool/rayon blend construction cap features fold down back and side panels with scalloped front edge and forward sides, front button is missing. Front section of the fold down panels, by the button hole, have rounded ends. Back and side panels were designed to be folded down to protect the wearers ears and neck and the scalloped front section could be secured with the button closed under the wearers chin. Cap has a natural magnetic sheet metal ventilation grommet to each side just below crown seam. Front center of cap has a machine woven, padded, HJ Diamond machine stitched in place. Cap has a short, extended, cloth covered, forward visor with internal stiffener with raised lip to top of forward edge and a single row of reinforcement stitching to bottom of forward edge. Interior of cap is fully lined in grey rayon with a partial, natural tan, grained leather sweatband to front section. Lining is well marked black inkstamped, size, "54", date, "43" and RB number. Of Note: The RB numbers, Reichsbetriebnummer, (National factory code numbers), were introduced in late 1942 and were intended to replace the manufacturers marks on garments and equipment to conceal the manufactures name and location from the allies, to prevent bombing raids on German industrial factories. Lining also has a tan oilcloth RZM tag with white printed script and blue inkstamped manufacturers numerical code. Script to tag includes, "Mütze für HJ-DJ", (Cap for HJ-DJ), and the RZM logo. Tag is machine stitched to lining. Cap is in overall very good condition with minimal nap wear and light age toning, but no other damage. Excellent original example, just need a button. Nice.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $352.00