Original Item: Only One available. This is a very nice German WWII NSKK Service Kepi (Tuchmütze), often called a "Coffee Can Hat." These were worn by NSKK members when in uniform, such as at meetings and recruiting events. It is made of olive green "whipcord" woven fabric, with a black felt top and silver button on the front. Above this it features the second pattern NSKK banner logo over a Reichsadler, which was the insignia in use from 1939 until the end of WWII. This high quality logo is actually embroidered in flat wire silver threads.

The kepi still has a nice black leather chinstrap, held in place by the correct black buttons. The interior has an orange oil cloth crown lining, with a supple leather sweatband in great condition. There is no maker marking on the crown, but this is not uncommon for caps made once the RZM code system took over.

The inside of the cap under the sweatband still bears its original fabric RZM tag, which is also in great shape. The tag identifies the cap as a TUCHMÜTZE (Cloth Cap) features the RZM logo as well as the ink stamped numerical designation of the Hersteller (manufacturer) 121 over lot No. 417570.

Condition of the kepi is very good, though there is some moth damage to the exterior wool tricot blend shell. We did look under the scalloped skirt, and there does not look to be much damage in there, if any. The oil cloth crown is still fully intact, and the brim does not have any cracks or folds. These are rare in any condition, and this is definitely a very good example.

A very hard to find NSKK Service Kepi, ready to display!

The development of the NSKK, National Sozialistisches Kraftfahr Korps, (National Socialist Motor Corps), can be traced back to 1923, when the SA introduced a Kraftfahr Abteilung, (Motor Section), to transport personnel as required. In 1928 the SA Motor section was expanded to Kraftfahrstaffeln, (Motor Squadrons). In an attempt to create a national motor corps the NSAK, National Sozialistisches Automobil Korps, (National Socialist Automobile Corps), was formed in April 1930 as an NSDAP auxiliary organization, which was subordinate to the SA.

In early 1931 Adolf Hühnlein was appointed as Chief of the NSAK and proposed a name change to NSKK, which was officially accepted in April 1931. Before the introduction of a standardized belt buckle the NSKK used the SA pattern rectangular buckle in a variety of styles usually nickel or chrome-plated over brass or steel.

The NSKK served as a training organization, mainly instructing members in the operation and maintenance of high-performance motorcycles and automobiles. The NSKK was further used to transport NSDAP and SA officials/members. The NSKK also served as a roadside assistance group in the mid-1930s, comparable to the modern-day American Automobile Association or the British Automobile Association. With the outbreak of World War II NSKK ranks were recruited to serve in the transport corps of various German military branches. There was also a French section of the NSKK which was organized after the German occupation of France began in 1940. The NSKK was the smallest of the NSDAP Party organizations.