N19652 EARLY PATTERN HJ FIELD CAP. (Feldmütze) 

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. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A light weight, ribbed tan cotton twill construction visor cap. The cap features a one-piece circular crown, piped in red, a body with seams to each of its cardinal points, a one-piece centerband whose vertical seam is to the reverse, and a cloth-covered visor. Pinned to the forward seam line of the body is a first pattern (circa 1927), die stamped alloy, silver washed, spread-winged eagle with a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons. The eagle has a wingspan of approximately 1 1/2", and its swastika is painted black. Most of its wash appears to have been retained, with moderate age darkening to its recesses. The short, extended visor has an internal stiffener. Fixed by the brown-painted, convex metal buttons positioned over each ear is a 1/2" wide, brown leather chin strap. The two halves of the strap are joined in the center by a brown-painted metal "ring," and a similarly-painted buckle is to each half of the strap. The interior of the cap is fully lined in copper-colored cotton, and features a 1 1/2" wide tan alkor sweatband. The lining is moderately soiled, and the sweatband exhibits moderate chafe wear, small tears, and its stitching has separated along the reverse. Ink stamped to the lining under the sweatband is "34," no doubt the size marking. Also under the sweatband may be seen a 3/4" x 1", white paper tag with faint, handwritten information to it. The exterior of the cap is lightly age and usage soiled, but is otherwise intact. The interesting feature about this cap is that it has has the red piping period applied over top of the earlier white & blue piping. A scarce, early HJ cap.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $ SOLD