BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard issue item for all personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individuals rank. Officer and senior NCO ranks could purchase their caps from the army clothing depots but were also permitted to wear privately purchased visor caps of higher quality. Originally the insignia worn on the visor cap consisted the Weimar Reichsheer patterns which included a blackened leather chinstrap for all ranks. In February 1927 new chin cords for Officer ranks were introduced with silver cords for the ranks of Leutnant to Oberst and senior NCO Officer aspirants and gilt cords for the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall. Of Note: Although General’s ranks had worn gilt chin cords since 1927 it wasn’t until 1943 that the gilt visor cap national eagle and wreath were authorized for wear.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, private purchase, visor cap with a field-grey wool body and crown and a blue/green badge cloth centerband. The crown of the cap is trimmed in white wool waffenfarbe. The internal crown stiffening wire, a vertical stiffener to the internal front center and the internal padding are all intact and give the cap a nice, distinct shape with a high central front peak. The front center of the cap features a second pattern, stamped, polished natural aluminum, national eagle and the front center of the centerband has a second pattern, stamped, polished aluminum, oak-leaf wreath encompassing a high relief, three piece national tri-color cockade. Both the eagle and the wreath are still quite clean and bright. The national tri-color cockade consists of a fluted black alloy base, a natural aluminum roundel and an inserted, red felt centerpiece. The cap has a bright, twisted silver/aluminum chin cord which is secured in place by two, small, silver washed, pebbled, magnetic sheet metal buttons. The cap has a black lacquered vulcanfibre visor with a raised lip near the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in golden yellow rayon. Celluloid sweat diamond is complete. Manufacturers trade name, "Peküro", indicating manufacture by Peter Küpper Wuppertal-Ronsdorf. Also has additional black printed script consisting of, "Stirndruckfrei", (Forehead Pressure Free), and, "Deutsches Reichspatent", (German National Patent). The interior of the cap also has a wide, natural tan leather sweatband, with ventilation perforations to the front forehead section, machine stitched in place. The lining and the sweatband both show light age and usage toning. The cap is in overall very good condition with minimal age and usage toning. Roughly a size 56. Nice cap by a primo maker.