Original Item: Only One Available. This is an fantastic "salty" service worn example of a German WWII Heer Panzer Armored Corps EM-NCO M38 overseas cap (Schiffchen). 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 black wool exterior as used by the Panzerkorps, with a olive gray cotton lining, which still has a manufacturer ink stamp, though it is BARELY visible. We are certain on the size and date, and the rest we can tell is correct just by the shape of the markings.

Carl Halfar
Berlin N.20
Prinzenallee 74
56
1941

It features a fine machine embroidered eagle on the front, with white thread on a black base, the standard early 1940s Panzer colors, and under this is a machine embroidered tri-color cockade with a forest green background. The stitching does not go through to the lining, so these were sewn on during production of the cap.

There is also very nice worn Rosa (Rose-pink) V-shaped soutache, which is the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Panzer (Armored Troops) and Panzerjäger (Tank Destroyers) troops. The bottom stitches do not go over the soutache, so it was added to the cap after production at arsenal. It may look red in areas, as the base thread under the soutache wrapping is that color, but it is definitely pink, and the stitching on the back of the scallop is also pink.

Condition of the cap definitely shows long use in service, and a lot of the fuzzy "nap" on the exterior has been worn away from the wool. A thumbprint sized piece of the right flap is missing near the rear, and all of the front insignia show significant wear.

These are extremely rare in any condition, and this is only the second panzer M38 of any type that we have had. Ready to display!