Original Item: Only One Available. This is a beautifully preserved Imperial German Bavarian Infantry Schirmmütze visor cap. The cap is constructed of the distinctive Bavarian blue wool with a broad poppy-red wool cap band and matching red piping around the crown, the traditional color combination associated with Bavarian infantry. The rich blue and red colors remain particularly strong for a cap of this age.

The front retains both of its metal cockades. The upper crown bears the black, white and red Reichskokarde representing the German Empire, while the cap band carries the blue and white Bavarian state cockade. Together with the characteristic blue body and red band and piping, these immediately identify the cap with the Royal Bavarian contingent of the Imperial German Army.

The interior is particularly interesting. The tan cloth lining retains a large silver-colored manufacturer's marking beneath a crowned heraldic device. Although worn, it appears to read:

Uniformmützen Militäreffekten
Joh. Fischer
12 Rattenturmstr. 12
METZ

Metz was part of the German Reichsland Elsaß-Lothringen from 1871 until the end of WWI and was one of the German Empire's most important fortified garrison cities during this period.

Faint black markings are visible beneath the manufacturer’s stamp. The marking on the left appears to read “4. I.R.”, with a large “E” stamped beside it. The “4. I.R.” could refer to the Königlich Bayerisches 4. Infanterie-Regiment “König Wilhelm von Württemberg.” This interpretation is supported by the fact that the regiment was garrisoned in Metz during peacetime. The “E” is consistent with an Eigentum (property) marking commonly found on Imperial German military clothing and related headgear. Given the condition of the impressions, the attribution to the 4th Infantry Regiment should be considered plausible, though not definitively confirmed.

Condition is quite good considering the age of the cap. The Bavarian blue wool retains excellent overall color, as does the bright red cap band and piping. There are scattered areas of moth tracking and small moth nips across the crown, with somewhat more concentrated wear along one portion of the upper edge. The black visor remains attractive and in great condition. The interior shows staining and discoloration consistent with more than a century of age, while the manufacturer's marking and important interior stamps remain visible.