BACKGROUND: The BDM, "Bund Deutscher Mädel" (League [of] German Girls), was the female version of the Hitler Youth, whose first female group, established in 1927, evolved into the BDM by July of 1930, and by July of 1932 it had gained equal political status with the HJ.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A tan-colored cotton twill cap, with an expansion fold along its crown and whose fold-down side panels are permanently sewn in an upright position. The upper edges of the panels are piped in red rayon. Beneath the piping, and over the forward seam line of the panels, is fixed an alloy and enamel pin in the form of a 1" x 9/16" vertical diamond. A black mobile swastika, originally bordered in silver, is to the center of the diamond, with white fields to its left and right, and translucent red enamel fields with pebbled underlays above and below. The edges of the diamond were also bordered in silver. A vertical pin-back device is crimped to an oval plate soldered to its reverse, to one side of which is embossed an RZM, "Reichszeugmeisterei" (National-materiel-control-office), logo, with "M1/159," the manufacturer’s code for Hans Doppler of Wels, to the other. Although all of its enamel work is intact and unblemished, none of its silver washed edging remains. There appears to have never been an eagle and swastika insignia affixed to the upper, forward edge of the cap. The interior, which is fully lined in gold-colored rayon, does not appear to have ever had a sweatband. A "57" size marking (equivalent to North American size "7") is ink stamped to its interior crown. Beneath that is sewn a 2 1/4" x 1", black and white oilcloth RZM, "Reichszeugmeisterei" (National-materiel-control-office), tag. The lining is only lightly age and usage soiled. The exterior of the cap also exhibits only light age and usage soiling, but has one small stain along its upper left side.

GRADE ****1/4                                                        PRICE $410.00