Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used example of a German Early WWII Heer Army EM-NCO M38 overseas cap (Schiffchen), showing moderate period wear. The overseas cap, nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally "little ship" as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for all branches of the Heer.

This example is constructed of a field gray (feldgrau) wool exterior with a lightweight brown canvas liner, which is made from several pieces of fabric. It has a flap going around the entire circumference of the cap, which is scalloped in the front, correct for the design. Sewn in place on the top front of the cap is a fine BeVO style machine embroidered EM/NCO cap eagle, which is the 1935 pattern featuring white embroidery on a dark bottle green background. On the front of the scalloped flap is a BeVO tri color cockade, with the the same darker green background. Later made caps would have a single piece insignia "trapezoid". We can see that there was a corps color soutache on the front of the cap, but it was later removed during the war. There is also a faint 1937 and size 56 stamped on the inside of the cap.

The cap is in very good condition, not showing any major damage or repairs, just wear consistent with service and a few spots of moth damage. There is light overall staining and wear to the fuzzy "nap" of the fabric, with the original color and feel preserved under the flaps. We did notice that the ventilation grommets both have lost their finish and rusted, and that the top pleat was taken in a bit at some point to make the cap sit better.

A very nice Heer Army M38 overseas cap, ready to add to your collection!