Original Item: Only One Available. This cap is a wonderful service used example of a named German WWII Wehrmacht Heer Army Artillery Officer's Schirmmütze (visor cap), with a lovely "Crushed" shape. This "saddle-form" shape is highly desirable, and accomplished by removing the crown support stiffener ring. It has definitely seen extensive service during the war, with the sweatband deteriorating and tearing into multiple pieces, and the liner having become stained and torn as well. It does look like there were some attempts in the past to stabilize it with glue, but these failed and it became more deteriorated, which really gives it a great "been there" look on the interior.

The exterior features the typical feldgrau (field gray) "doe skin" weave wool construction with a flaschengrün (dark bottle-green) "badge cloth" band and a traditional high forward crown. The also has matching Hochrot (Deep Red) piping along the top edge and flanking either side of the band, the Corps Color (Waffenfarbe) for Artillery, as well as General Level Officers. It has the correct silver bullion chin strap, indicating that it is for an officer.

When photographed, it had a slightly crumped up period correct fabric nametag in the slot, which could not be read. However, carefully tapping the top of the cap repeatedly caused it to slowly slide down to where we could pull it out and flatten it, and then place it in a small plastic bag to protect it. It is in German Blackletter "Fraktur" typeface, correct for early war issue, and is marked as follows:

Siefert
Stab III. / A. R. 34

This would indicate that officer Siefert was with the staff company of the III. Battalion of the 34th Artillery regiment, part of the Wehrmacht Heer Army 34th Infantry Division, (34. Infanterie-Division). With a last name and specific unit, there is really some great research potential here!

It is decorated with a well detailed aluminum eagle insignia on the peak and and an open aluminum bullion embroidered oak leaf and acorn wreath surrounding a plated metal tri-color cockade on the band. The insignia look great, with just some nice patination and oxidation on the cockade, and the red felt insert inside is still vibrant. The officer's chin strap is attached with the standard pebbled buttons on either side of the cap, and is in very good shape, showing only light wear. The vulcanfibre visor has a smooth black leather-look upper, exhibiting minimal wear along the edge and is beige on the underside. The top of the visor shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing due to age, which almost makes it look matte. It is however only loosely attached to the cap due to the deterioration of the stitching and interior.

The interior of the cap is lined with cream colored rayon faux silk, however it is definitely stained and deteriorated. The top celluloid sweat shield diamond is definitely worn, with some cracking to the material, and the stitching is probably only 70% retained. As mentioned earlier, the sweatband is very deteriorated, and the stitching holding the fiber band into the body of the cap has also become detached on the right side. We are not really able to estimate any type of size due to the condition.

Exterior condition shows fading and wear to the nap of the fabric, but it really presents very well, especially in comparison to the interior, which has suffered heavy damage over the years.

A great "salty" service worn example of a classic hat worn by German Army Artillery Officers in WWII. Very impressive and 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.