Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic unissued example of a German WWII Heer Army Cavalry EM?NCO M38 overseas cap (Schiffchen), with a fantastic Dragoon "Traditions" badge on the front! The overseas cap, nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally "little ship" as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for all branches of the Heer. This example is constructed of a field gray (feldgrau) wool exterior, with a light olive brown canvas liner. There is little to no wear inside, and the the original maker stamps are still clearly legible:

58
L. L. Gen. Mützen
Niedersachsen
Hersteller Nr.28
1940

Sewn in place in the front of the cap is a 1939 pattern BeVo embroidered cap eagle featuring gray threading on a flaschengrün (dark bottle-green) background, and there is a matching BeVo tri-color cockade on the lower flap. Bordering the cockade is a very nice Goldgelb (Golden Yellow) V-shaped soutache, which is the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Cavalry units, as well as reconnaissance and armored reconnaissance units with cavalry traditions. This looks to have been added after construction, as it does not go under the seams. It is attached with the correct golden yellow thread on the exterior, with olive stitches on the interior, exactly how it should be.

Between the two badges is a brass Dragoon "Traditions" badge, which has definitely been attached to the cap for quite some time. First introduced in 1842, these were used by select units of the Prussian and later Imperial German army on field caps to indicate that the unit belonged to a specialized unit, such as a Hussar, Pioneer, or Dragoon regiment. The use of these was ended in 1918, but brought back during the Pre-WWII period by NSDAP Germany. The design of this badge is identical to the Imperial German Dragoon Wappen (Front plate) for the helmet, so it means that this soldier was a member of a regiment that was traditionally a dragoon unit.

The cap shows just a bit of age toning from age and storage, and no signs of use in service. We very seldom see M38 Shiffchen of this quality, and it is unlikely we will see another anytime soon. Ready to add to your collection and display!