Original Item: Only One Available. This cap is a wonderful 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) "doe skin" weave wool construction with a flaschengrün (dark bottle-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 aluminum oak leaf and acorn wreath surrounding an aluminum tri-color cockade on the band. The insignia look great, with just a bit of light oxidation, and the red felt insert inside the cockade is still vibrant. The officer's chin strap is attached with the standard pebbled buttons on either side of the cap, and is in very good shape, showing only light wear. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper, exhibiting minimal wear along the edge and is checkered beige on the underside. The top of the visor shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing due to age, and it is still firmly attached to the body of the cap.

The interior of the cap is lined with golden rayon twill, which shows light staining and wear from service. The top celluloid sweat shield diamond is fully intact, with complete stitching, and has a German style eagle logo at the top with Extra Klaſſe on the chest, and at the bottom is MARKE STANDARD in a logo. We have seen these markings on caps before, and have not been able to identify this maker. There is also a nametag in the slot, which was filled out in Kurrentschrift writing, which we have not been able to decipher. The liner of the cap is pressed paper faux leather with a beige finish, and it has become quite stiff over the years. There are multiple tears at the front, and the red rubber padding underneath has crumbled to dust. The cap seems to be about a size 57cm.

Overall condition is very good, with the colors well retained. The main condition issue aside from the sweatband is the red piping, which has suffered moth damage. The looser weave and fuzzy nap makes the piping a much more attractive target than the crown, though that too has also suffered some small nips.

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.