Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Luftwaffe M38 EM/NCO Schiffchen overseas cap manufactured by L. Püttmann of Paderborn and dated 1940. It is an appealing service used example with a strong “been there” appearance, constructed from Luftwaffe Fliegerblau blue gray wool and retaining its original embroidered eagle and tricolor cockade, both sewn only through the outer shell during manufacture.

The M38 overseas cap was standard Luftwaffe field and service headgear for enlisted men and NCOs. The German nickname Schiffchen, meaning “little ship,” referred to the cap’s folded shape and remained a common term for this style of headgear.

The exterior is made from the correct Luftwaffe Fliegerblau blue gray wool. The front carries a finely embroidered Luftwaffe eagle above a tricolor cockade. Both insignia are stitched only to the exterior layer of fabric rather than through the lining, supporting installation during original production rather than later addition.

The interior is lined in blue gray canvas and shows extensive staining together with worked in dirt and oils from service use. Despite this wear, the original maker marking remains legible:

L. Püttmann
Paderborn

Nearby is the surviving date:

1940

The original size marking farther to the right is no longer legible because of staining and wear.

Overall condition is very good for a clearly service used cap. The exterior shows light overall staining and areas where the original fuzzy wool nap has worn smooth from use. There are no major tears or structural damage. A localized area on the upper left portion of the crown appears consistent with moth damage.

Looking beneath the folded side panels reveals stronger original color and surviving wool texture protected from exposure and handling. This contrast helps illustrate the degree of honest service wear and fading present on the exposed exterior.

With its 1940 date, L. Püttmann of Paderborn maker marking, original EM/NCO Luftwaffe insignia, Fliegerblau wool construction, and convincing service worn character, this is an attractive example of an M38 Luftwaffe overseas cap. The exterior staining, worn wool nap, heavily soiled lining, illegible size marking, and localized moth damage are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Luftwaffe enlisted headgear, M38 Schiffchen, 1940 dated uniform, L. Püttmann maker, or advanced German WWII headgear collection.

Side Cap
A side cap is a military cap that can be folded flat when not being worn. It is also known as a garrison cap or flight cap in the United States, wedge cap in Canada, or field service cap in the United Kingdom. In form the side cap is comparable to the glengarry, a folding version of the Scottish military bonnet. It has been associated with various military forces since the middle of the 19th century, as well as various civilian organizations.