{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-1939-dated-hj-ski8-cap-in-size-53-getes-skimutze","title":"Original German WWII 1939 dated HJ Ski Cap in Size 53 - Getes Skimütze","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a great looking German WWII HJ National Youth Organization Skimütze (Ski Cap), marked with Size \u003cstrong\u003e53\u003c\/strong\u003e and dated \u003cstrong\u003e1939\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is constructed of blue worsted wool gabardine cloth, with fold-down panels with rounded scallops to the front and forward sides, covering the entire neck on the sides and rear when in use. When not in use, the panels are raised with their ends resting upon the visor, being joined together by a plated steel buckle. The visor is reinforced with cardboard, and covered in matching gabardine cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front top of the cap has a very nice early pattern enameled zinc HJ diamond emblem, which consists of a black mobile swas inside a white square diamond, which is surrounded by alternating white and red quadrants. The boarders between sections are plated metal, which now has oxidized to a lovely gray patina. The back of the insignia is maker marked by \u003cstrong\u003eOTTO HOFFMANN\u003c\/strong\u003e, and is an early Pre-RZM version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior of the cap is lined with lightweight gray oil cloth, showing just a bit of staining around the edge from wear. The top has a \u003cstrong\u003eC 1939\u003c\/strong\u003e date over a triangular logo with a skier in the middle, and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGetes Skimütze\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eat the bottom. Under this is the size \u003cstrong\u003e53\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good, with just a few spots of wear and mothing to the wool body. The visor is still quite well shaped, with just a bit of bending to the cardboard stiffener, and no real cracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, this is a great example of a lightly used size 53 HJ Skimütze, fully maker marked and dated. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHJ believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (National Youth Organization) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (\u003cem\u003ejugend\u003c\/em\u003e) and girls (\u003cem\u003eBund Deutscher Mädel\u003c\/em\u003e) were enlisted in the Party-run organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HJ \u003cem\u003eSkimütze\u003c\/em\u003e Ski Cap was based on the \u003cem\u003eBergmütze\u003c\/em\u003e (Mountain Hat) used by Austrian and German\u003cem\u003e Gebirgsjäger\u003c\/em\u003e (Mountain Troops) during WWI. Germany had adopted it in 1915, and after the war it spread throughout the military. It has the same fold down flaps, which can be placed over the ears during cold weather, and is secured with a buckle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40174633844805,"sku":"ONSV22WOS55","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22WOS55__01.jpg?v=1657134581","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-1939-dated-hj-ski8-cap-in-size-53-getes-skimutze","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}