{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-soldatenbund-and-kyffhauserbund-veterans-association-schirmmutze-visor-cap","title":"Original German WWII Soldatenbund and Kyffhäuserbund Veterans Association Schirmmütze Visor Cap","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The \u003cem\u003eSoldatenbund\u003c\/em\u003e (Registered Soldier’s League) was an early Veteran's association founded in 1936, which proved to be very short lived. Two years later in 1938 it was merged with the Kyffhäuserbund as part of the NSDAP-ification of that organization, forming the National Socialist Veteran's Association, which would be the only approved veteran's organization until the fall of the NSDAP in 1945.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cap is a very nice example of an early pattern German Pre WWII Veteran's Association Schirmmütze Visor cap, sometimes referred to as a \u003cem\u003eKyffhäusermütze\u003c\/em\u003e. We previously had an example like this, but the insignia were all gold washed. There definitely appears to be significant variation of the caps issued for the National Socialist veteran's association, particularly early after the merger, and this example still retains the original distinctive Soldatenbund style cap eagle and Army style wreath insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is in very good condition, showing light to moderate use during service. It features very dark navy blue (or possibly black) construction a traditional high forward crown, and there is no crown stiffener, giving it a lovely swept back \"crushed\" shape. The cap band is a lovely BeVO embroidered style in black, which has embroidered Iron Cross and DRKB Kyffhäuser monument in a shield emblems alternating around the circumference. There is no troop color piping around the band and crown, which we have seen before on this style of cap\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is decorated with a bright aluminum Soldatenbund cap eagle on the peak, which features the \u003cem\u003eReichsadler\u003c\/em\u003e National Eagle surmounted by crossed swords and an Iron Cross. The cap band is decorated with an open bright aluminum oak leaf and acorn wreath surrounding an aluminum tri-color cockade on the band. The insignia are still in great shape, retaining most of the gold wash, and the red felt insert inside the cockade is present, though a bit faded. The dual-buckled black finished leather chinstrap, designating the wearer to be an enlisted man, is in very good condition and attached to black lacquered buttons on either side. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper, exhibiting light wear along the edge and is checkered gray on the underside. The top of the visor shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing due to age, and the visor is still well attached to the cap body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inside of the cap is lined with blue rayon twill fabric on the top and sides, which shows some staining on the crown. The top plastic shield is still present, with the stitching mostly intact, however the original markings are completely worn away. It features a gray oilcloth sweatband, which has gotten stiff over the years, with some of the finish flaking off at the edge, and showing cracking in various areas. It is a bit shrunken, so while the cap measures to be about 55cm, it may be a larger size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cap is in very good shape, showing only light wear. A great example of an early German WWII veteran's association cap with some great research potential. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe German Schirmmütze Visor Cap:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45100190761029,"sku":"ONJR26APMS066","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/5D09CA97-C0C4-4DEC-AE69-9B7EDEFAE070.jpg?v=1780686715","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-soldatenbund-and-kyffhauserbund-veterans-association-schirmmutze-visor-cap","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}