{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-heer-infantry-em-nco-m38-schiffchen-overseas-cap-with-white-soutache-1940-dated","title":"Original German WWII Heer Infantry EM\/NCO M38 Schiffchen Overseas Cap with White Soutache, 1940 Dated","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Heer Infantry EM\/NCO M38 \u003cem\u003eSchiffchen\u003c\/em\u003e overseas cap, dated \u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e and showing light to moderate service wear. It is constructed from field gray \u003cem\u003eFeldgrau\u003c\/em\u003e wool with an olive colored lightweight canvas lining and retains its original 1939 pattern BeVo style eagle, white Infantry soutache, and national tricolor cockade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M38 overseas cap was standard field and service headgear for the Heer and was commonly known by the German nickname \u003cem\u003eSchiffchen\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning “little ship,” because of its folded boat-like shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior is made from field gray wool with the characteristic flap running around the full circumference of the cap and forming a scalloped front. The right side ventilation grommet remains present, while the left side grommet is missing. It appears that corrosion around the missing grommet also contributed to a second small hole on the inside of the upper crease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA row of hand stitching runs around the entire upper circumference of the cap. This does not appear to be a repair, but rather an old alteration intended to adjust the fit more closely to the wearer’s head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper front carries a BeVo style machine embroidered EM\/NCO eagle of the 1939 pattern, with gray embroidery on a dark bottle green \u003cem\u003eFlaschengrün\u003c\/em\u003e backing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the eagle is a V-shaped white \u003cem\u003eWeiß\u003c\/em\u003e soutache, the \u003cem\u003eWaffenfarbe\u003c\/em\u003e (Corps Color) during WWII for \u003cem\u003eInfanterie\u003c\/em\u003e (Infantry) and \u003cem\u003eMotorisiert Infanterie\u003c\/em\u003e (Motorized Infantry). The lower construction stitching passes over the soutache on the right side, supporting that it was installed during original cap construction rather than added later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentered within the soutache is a machine embroidered national tricolor cockade. This separate eagle, cockade, and soutache configuration is characteristic of the earlier M38 pattern, before later caps increasingly used one piece trapezoid insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior retains its original maker and issue marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1940\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandeslieferungs-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egenossenschaft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKürschner u.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMützenmacher\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ein Bayern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis marking identifies a Bavarian state supply cooperative of furriers and cap makers. No separate size marking was observed. The cap measures approximately 28cm from end to end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good for a service used example. The exterior shows light staining and wear to the wool nap, particularly across the top. The fabric protected beneath the flap retains noticeably stronger original color and texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1940 date, original Infantry white soutache, 1939 pattern BeVo style eagle, tricolor cockade, surviving right ventilation grommet, Bavarian cooperative maker marking, and clear signs of period wear and alteration, this is a very appealing Heer M38 Infantry overseas cap. The missing left grommet, corrosion related secondary hole, top circumference hand stitching, light staining, and wear to the wool nap are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Heer Infantry, M38 \u003cem\u003eSchiffchen\u003c\/em\u003e, 1940 dated headgear, or advanced German WWII uniform collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547870421061,"sku":"ONSV26CC110","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/D2C07F9E-1C69-4437-A802-0BD647409519.jpg?v=1786735949","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-heer-infantry-em-nco-m38-schiffchen-overseas-cap-with-white-soutache-1940-dated","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}