Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Diplomatic Corps officer visor cap eagle insignia, hand embroidered in silver colored bullion thread on a black fabric backing. Measuring approximately 5" wide by 2 1/8" high, it is an exceptionally large and ornate example of the distinctive national eagle worn on German diplomatic and government official headgear.

The insignia features broad, curved outstretched wings and a highly detailed body above a wreath enclosing a mobile swas. The unusually wide wingspan and elaborate hand embroidery distinguish the Diplomatic Corps pattern from the smaller national eagle insignia used on most German military and political visor caps.

German Diplomatic Corps uniforms were introduced during the late 1930s for personnel of the Foreign Office and related government services. Silver colored embroidered insignia were used with several uniform configurations, while gold colored insignia were introduced for certain senior ranks and positions.

The eagle is worked in silver bullion and aluminum thread on a black backing, consistent with use on a black banded or black topped visor cap. The bullion retains strong definition throughout the wings, body, wreath, and central emblem.

The original paper backing remains mostly present on the reverse, showing overall wear with some areas having torn away. This backing helped support the embroidery and protect the threads during manufacture and installation.

Stitch holes are visible around the perimeter of the fabric backing, indicating that the insignia was previously sewn to a visor cap. It should therefore be described as service used rather than unissued.

Overall condition is very good. The black fabric backing shows areas of wear, and the bullion embroidery has some fraying, particularly around the wreath at the bottom. Light oxidation and age toning are also present on the aluminum bullion threads.

With its substantial 5" wingspan, hand embroidered silver bullion construction, distinctive Diplomatic Corps pattern, surviving paper backing, and visible evidence of period installation, this is an impressive example of German WWII government service headgear insignia. The backing wear, stitch holes, bullion fraying, and light oxidation are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a German Diplomatic Corps, Foreign Office uniform, visor cap insignia, government official, or advanced WWII bullion collection.

The NSDAP Diplomatic Corps was made up of officials (civil servants) of the Foreign Ministry. This ministry was taken over in 1938 by newly appointed Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop who, for the first time, introduced specific Diplomatic Corps uniforms. In April of 1939, a uniform pattern for Officials was introduced. The garments are either navy blue or field-grey. This uniform pattern was not meant as a replacement for the June 1938 pattern uniforms worn by Diplomats. Gold-colored uniform fittings for certain higher ranks were introduced in May of 1939. Officials who qualified for them wore gold-colored instead of silver-colored buttons, (collar) piping, and pay grade insignia. They underwent near continuous modification between then and 1943. Prior to 1938, there had been no defined uniforms for members of the Foreign Office.

Prior to the war, the Foreign Ministry was heavily involved in the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland. During the war, some conquered territory, especially in Poland, was incorporated into the German Reich, while other territory was merely occupied. These countries, while officially still independent, were in reality administered by German officials of the Diplomatic Corps, and in some cases also German-approved puppet governments.

Officials of the Diplomatic Corps were distinguished by rank as well as their educational level. The latter determined which kind of “Laufbahn” (career) an individual was able to choose. The “Höherer Dienst” (Higher Career) required a university degree, the “Gehobener Dienst” (Elevated Career) required a college degree, the “Mittlerer Dienst” (Middle Career) required a highschool degree, and the “Einfacher Dienst” (Lower Career) required a grade school education, to put it in a simplified way. Additionally, the Higher and Elevated Careers included several different pay groups.

Initially, both navy blue and field-grey garments were worn by all Officials, but in September of 1939 the field-grey uniform was restricted to those Officials stationed outside the German Reich (including the General Government) and the navy blue uniform was only worn by those stationed within the German borders. The highest ranked Officials, those that wore collar piping on their tunics, would continue to wear the navy blue uniform regardless of where they were stationed. In March of 1940, field-grey uniforms were restricted to those Officials attached to AH’s headquarters or military headquarters, as well as higher ranked Officials in both the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and the General Gouvernment (Poland).