{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-werkschutz-factory-protection-fire-brigade-leader-schirmmutze-visor-cap-by-linnenbrugger-ellermann-size-60","title":"Original German WWII Werkschutz Factory Protection Fire Brigade Leader Schirmmütze Visor Cap by Linnenbrügger \u0026 Ellermann - Size 60","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and somewhat rare German WWII \u003cem\u003eWerkschutz\u003c\/em\u003e (Factory Protection) Fire Brigade Leader's \u003cem\u003eSchirmmütze\u003c\/em\u003e Visor Cap. We have seen these in \u003cem\u003eFeldgrau\u003c\/em\u003e (Field Gray), charcoal gray, and black colors, and it seems that the function of the wearer had influence on the colors used. The history of the Factory Protection service is somewhat convoluted, but appears to have involved both the DAF and the RLB, which was involved with the closely related \u003cem\u003eWerkluftschutz\u003c\/em\u003e (Factory Air Raid Protection) service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe DAF Labor Front was the result of a forced association of all German trade unions, established on May 10, 1933. Its purpose was the coordination and control of all aspects of German labor to serve the interests of the NSDAP, and in reality did little to help or improve the status of workers.. The DAF leader was \u003cem\u003eReichsleiter\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eReichsorganisationsleiter\u003c\/em\u003e Robert Ley, who would later commit suicide before the Nuremberg trials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eWerkscharen\u003c\/em\u003e (Factory Brigades) of the DAF were the “soldiers” of the organization, formed in 1934. They were trained and organized as paramilitary, uniformed units, yet remained unarmed. Beginning in April 1937, active \u003cem\u003eWerkschar\u003c\/em\u003e units (Stoßtrupps) would wear silver-colored insignia, while administrators wore gold-colored insignia. Even though \u003cem\u003eWerkscharen\u003c\/em\u003e were not affiliated with the R\u003cem\u003eeichsluftschutzbund\u003c\/em\u003e (RLB, National Air Raid Protection League), during the war they often functioned as factory air raid protection auxiliaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome companies, especially major corporations, used additional security personnel, which were dubbed \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWerkschutz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (Factory Protection), and later \u003cem\u003eWerksicherheitsdienst\u003c\/em\u003e (Factory Security Service). Werkschutz insignia were first introduced in late 1937, which was an art deco style eagle looking to the left. holding a canted shield with a black swas (hook cross) on it. Some of the Factory Protection visors had colored piping, however it is not known what these signified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis factory protection fire brigade leader's cap is in very good condition, and is identical to the standard \u003cem\u003eFeuerschutzpolizei\u003c\/em\u003e (Fire Protection Police) visor cap in construction, with different insignia. It is fabricated from dark navy blue \"doeskin\" weave wool, with a wide black velvet plush material cap band. This is flanked by two rows of carmine red (\u003cem\u003ekarminrot\u003c\/em\u003e) color piping around the circumference, and there is another row around the edge of the crown. This is the Protection Police \u003cem\u003eTruppenfarbe\u003c\/em\u003e (troop color) for the Fire branch. There is not any crown stiffener installed, which has allowed the cap to take on the lovely \"saddle-form\" crushed shape that we all love. It has the correct silver bullion chinstrap for a leaders cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front crown features a silver\u003cem\u003e Werkschutz\u003c\/em\u003e eagle over a metal tri color cockade on the cap band. The insignia are both in very good condition, showing a lovely oxidized patina and light wear. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper, and is brown on the underside. The top shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing in areas, which occurs as the black enamel finish degrades over time. The visor is still firmly attached to the cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inside of the cap is lined with \"service cloth\" type material on the sides, while the crown lining is brown oil cloth, and still retains an intact celluloid sweat shield \"diamond\" with complete stitching. It is marked with the logo of \u003cstrong\u003eLINNENBRÜGGER + ELLERMANN \/ BIELEFELD\u003c\/strong\u003e, and there is a size \u003cstrong\u003e60\u003c\/strong\u003e label in the name tag slot. The sweatband is made from brown oilcloth, and is in very good condition, showing some wear to the finish as well as wrinkles, but no tears or other major damage. There is folded up newspaper under the sweatband to help the visor cap keep its shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good, showing only light wear and minor mothing. Overall a very nice condition example of a rare German WW2 cap, ready to research and display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Visor Cap-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe visor cap (\u003cem\u003eSchirmmütze\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeutsche Arbeitsfront (German Labor Front or DAF):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the dissolution of all Free Trade Unions in Germany in May 1933 the Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (German Labor Front), was established to replace the unions and to educate the workers in industry and commerce for smooth and efficient operation of all labor in the Third Reich. In October 1934 the DAF was given official status as a sub-section of the NSDAP and in March 1936 it was recognized as an independent NSDAP affiliated association and granted control of its own monetary budget. With this money it was able to procure its own signs and other insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44817381851205,"sku":"ONSV26PCS227","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS227.jpg?v=1774638698","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-werkschutz-factory-protection-fire-brigade-leader-schirmmutze-visor-cap-by-linnenbrugger-ellermann-size-60","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}