{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-italian-made-nsdap-ortsgruppe-local-level-political-leaders-white-top-visor-cap-size-57","title":"Original German WWII Italian made NSDAP Ortsgruppe Local Level Political Leader's White Top Visor Cap - Size 57","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The NSDAP or \u003cem\u003eNationalsozialistische Deutsche ArbeiterPartei\u003c\/em\u003e, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), was originally founded in Munich as the DAP, \u003cem\u003eDeutsche Arbeiterpartei\u003c\/em\u003e, (German Worker’s Party), on January 5TH 1919. When Adolf AH joined the DAP in the autumn of 1919 he was to reform what was basically a debating society into an active political party. Appointed as the first chairman of the party on July 29TH 1921, AH was to restructure it along para-military lines in a hierarchy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis new NSDAP structure consisted of four ascending levels of government: the \u003cem\u003eOrtsgruppenleitung\u003c\/em\u003e (Local group leadership), the \u003cem\u003eKreisleitung\u003c\/em\u003e (District leadership), the \u003cem\u003eGauleitung\u003c\/em\u003e (Regional District leadership), and the \u003cem\u003eReichsleitung\u003c\/em\u003e (National leadership). Each group was distinguished by a specific color of piping on the collar tabs and visor cap. As of 1939 in this scheme, light blue was for the Ortsgruppe level, black for kreis level, burgundy red for Gau level, and gold yellow for the Reich level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is nice service worn example of a rare German WWII NSDAP \u003cem\u003eOrtsgruppe\u003c\/em\u003e (Local Group) Level Political Leader's Visor Cap in size \u003cstrong\u003e57\u003c\/strong\u003e, made in Italy with a white top for summer use. Very similar to the military issue \u003cem\u003eSchirmmütze\u003c\/em\u003e (Peaked Cap), these were usually referred to as a \u003cem\u003eDienstmütze\u003c\/em\u003e (Service Cap) or\u003cem\u003e Tuchmütze\u003c\/em\u003e (Cloth Cap). The cap shows high quality fabrication, made from white \"whipcord woven\" fabric, and a traditional high front. The cap has the typical triple piping around the circumference, the light blue for the Ortsgruppe level leader. The cap band is a lovely dark tan velvet material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is decorated with a well detailed cast metal gilt spread-wing NSDAP \u003cem\u003eReichsadler\u003c\/em\u003e (national eagle) insignia on the front, and an open cast metal gilt oak leaf wreath surrounding a metal tri-color cockade on the velvet band. The cockade has a small \u003cem\u003eswas \u003c\/em\u003e(hook cross) in the middle, only seen on these party leadership caps. The gilding on the eagle is well retained, however the oak leaf wreath has faded almost completely to a dull gray after the plating flaked or wore away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has a wonderful gold bullion cord \"chinstrap\", attached to the cap by gold-washed pebbled aluminum buttons, indicating that this cap is for an Officer \/ Leader. The visor \/ peak on this cap is brown-finished \"vulcanfibre\", the standard material for NCOs and Officers alike, with a brown underside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cap is lined with off white rayon fabric, and while the top sweat shield is almost completely missing, the original Italian maker logo is still fully visible, indicating production by \u003cstrong\u003ePiEDiMONTE\u003c\/strong\u003e in Rome. We have seen many other period examples of both German and Italian hats made by this maker. The lining is in good service worn condition, with tearing on the sides due to wear. There is also some overall staining from use. The leather sweatband is finished in blue, and is in very good condition, with little deterioration. It still retains the original makers \u003cstrong\u003e57\u003c\/strong\u003e size label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the cap is in good condition, but does show significant wear from use, particularly on the exterior. The white top is faded and stained in areas, and the insignia have lost a lot of the original finish, particularly the wreath and cockade. There is a stain on the crown next to the eagle, probably from rust, and also much of the blue wool piping has been damaged by moths or other insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese caps are very rare, and this is the first Italian-made example that we have been able to locate. In very nice service worn condition, this cap is ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40250773012549,"sku":"ONSV22GPD53","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22GPD53__01.jpg?v=1660665624","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-italian-made-nsdap-ortsgruppe-local-level-political-leaders-white-top-visor-cap-size-57","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}