Original Item: Only One Available. This is a magnificent service used condition example of a very rare Luftwaffe Generalsränge Schirmmütze (General Ranks Visor Cap), made by Robert Lubstein under their very desirable EREL company, a top class maker of headwear during the war. An honest example with a wonderful swept back shape. It has the saddle form "crushed" appearance which we all love, with the standard high front.

This General's Schirmmütze Visor Cap is a very high quality manufactured example. Fabricated in Luftwaffe blue gray Fliegerblau (Flier's Blue) "whipcord" wool, with wide black ribbed wool cap band, plus three rows of fine gold bullion piping around the circumference. It is fronted by a hand embroidered Luftwaffe insignia pair that includes a gold thread national eagle on a wool backing above a high relief golden oak leaf wreath with stylized wings and an embroidered tri color cockade. As best we can tell the thread is yellow and then was lacquered to make it a lovely golden color. These show wear and oxidation consistent with long service.

The visor on this cap is the standard "vulcanfibre", which originally had black patent faux leather stitched around the edge, however this is now only retained about 30%, showing the stitch holes. The top of the visor shows age-related checking and crazing, just like we used to see, and the underside is green and checkered, as usually seen. Above this is the correct bullion officer's chin strap, retained by pebbled buttons.

The cap is lined with lovely light aqua rayon faux silk, with ribbed pattern on the side lining. This is the color we usually see on "Extra" and "Privat" level caps by Erel, and is exactly what we would expect to see on the cap of a Luftwaffe General. The lining does now show a good amount of light staining from use.

The celluloid diamond crown sweat shield at the top is present, however it does show a cracked and torn portion at the top. The original stitching is mostly present, with just a bit of pulling on the left side. The maker logo underneath has unfortunately lost almost all of the silver paint, however we can still clearly make out the EREL diamond logo in the center, over what was probably a rectangle with "Extra" inside.

It is fitted with a tan leather sweatband embossed with EREL PATENT / STIRNSCHÜTZ on the left side. This means that the sweatband was never replaced, making this a "double marked" example. There is no size marked, but it seems to be about a size 56cm / US 7.

Overall the condition is definitely "salty", showing the type of wear and deterioration that only comes from extensive use in the field. This gives it a fantastic well-worn patina and look that is simply impossible to duplicate. There is wear to the exterior, with some stains and small holes, as well as oxidation of the bullion piping. There does not however appear to be any major mothing. The interior shows wear, and while the sweatband is mostly present, it is definitely stiff.

A truly quality Luftwaffe officer cap by EREL of the early-war style with embroidered insignia, and a real leather sweatband. This example saw extensive service, possibly throughout the entire war! 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.