Original Item: Only One Available. This cap is a wonderful lightly used example of a named German WWII Wehrmacht Heer Army Artillery Officer's Schirmmütze (visor cap), with a lovely "Crushed" shape. This "saddle-form" shape is highly desirable, and accomplished by removing the crown support stiffener ring. It features the typical feldgrau (field gray) "whipcord" weave wool construction with a forest green "badge cloth" band and a traditional high forward crown. The also has matching Hochrot (Deep Red) piping along the top edge and flanking either side of the band, the Corps Color (Waffenfarbe) for Artillery, as well as General Level Officers. It has the correct silver bullion chin strap, indicating that it is for an officer.

It is decorated with a well detailed aluminum eagle insignia on the peak and and an open cast zinc oak leaf and acorn wreath surrounding an metal tri-color cockade on the band. The silver wash on the eagle and cockade are well retained, while the wreath has faded to an oxidized patina. The red felt insert inside the cockade is present and vibrant. The chin strap is attached with the standard pebbled buttons on either side of the cap. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper, exhibiting minimal wear along the edge and is beige on the underside. The tan leather sweatband is in good supple condition and is unmarked on the inside, showing only light wear with some staining.

The inside of the cap is lined with cream sheer fabric, most likely rayon. The top plastic shield is fully present, though there is a crack in it. The original maker logo is completely gone, however we can still see a "ghost" under the sweatshield, which looks to read EREL and EXTRA, but we cannot confirm this. There is also an aged name tag in the slot, which reads Hptm. Goetz 40048 Michelstadt / Oden. Definitely some great research potential here!

Condition is very good, with just a few areas of light mothing. The colors are well retained, and it has a fantastic look. Definitely one of the better examples we have had recently! From what we can tell, this cap is about a size 57.

A great example of a classic hat worn by German Army Artillery Officers in WWII. Very impressive and ready to display!

The German Schirmmütze Visor Cap:
The visor cap (Schirmmütze) was an important part of the headgear worn by German uniformed military, civil, paramilitary and political organizations during the Third Reich. This was the standard cloth headgear worn as a part of the service uniform. Visor caps were worn outdoors as well as indoors, and were often required to be worn by all personnel on duty. Visor caps were made in versions specific to each organization and were often further differentiated through the use of insignia, colored piping, or style of chin cord, to indicate rank, role or branch. The insignia used on these caps ranged from simple stamped metal emblems, to elaborate hand embroidery. Visor caps were issued to enlisted soldiers and NCOs in the military and in some other organizations. Officers had to purchase their own hats, and lower ranks could choose to purchase caps that were of a higher quality than the rather basic, issue examples. The private purchase caps were generally made in very high quality, with fine materials. A wide variety of fabrics were used, from Trikot and doeskin, to heavy wool, or even lightweight white fabric for summer wear. In the military, issue of these caps was generally suspended shortly after the outbreak of the war, but they continued to be worn by some troops until the end of the war.