Original German WWII 1939 dated Luftwaffe Signals EM/NCO Visor Cap by Ostland – Size 57 Original Items

Original Item: Only One available. This is an excellent condition Luftwaffe Signals EM/NCO Schirmmütze Visor Cap, which is size marked 57 along with a 1939 date. The interior is still clearly marked on the celluloid “diamond” on the crown of the cap:

Ostland
Mützen – u. Bekleidungs-Industrie
Freiberg Schlesien
1939

57

This is a wonderful honest example with a fantastic shape. It still has the original crown stiffener installed, so it retains it’s original round appearance, without the “sag” usually seen. This 1939 dated NCO Schirmmütze Visor Cap is an original high quality manufactured cap. It is fabricated in Luftwaffe blue gray Fliegerblau ( Flier’s Blue) wool gabardine, with wide black wool cap band, plus three rows of saddle brown (braun) color piping around the circumference. This is the Luftwaffe Waffenfarbe (corps color) for the Air communications corps (Lufnachrichtentruppe), usually referred to as “Signals”.

Cap is decorated with the correct insignia, including a finely-detailed aluminum eagle of the mid-war tail design on the peak, and an oak leaf wreath with stylized wings and central tri-color cockade on the band; the latter is made of aluminum with a red and black painted cockarde. The black-finished patent leather chin strap rests upon the visor and is made up of three pieces: the central piece with two magnetic metal buckles and joined to the flanking end pieces via oval loops, the end pieces attached to black finished buttons on either side. It has however deteriorated, and is in somewhat delicate condition.

The visor is the classic black color with stitched edge trim, made of pressed vulcanfibre, and a green underside. There is some slight residue near the chin strap due to the chinstrap deterioration.

The sweatband is made of black oil cloth, and still has much of the original finish, though it is most likely delicate after so much time. The inside of the cap is lined with light orange cloth, with the dome brandishing a celluloid moisture shield that looks great, with markings underneath.

This is a great Luftwaffe Signals EM/NCO peaked visor cap, offered in very good used condition. Ready to display!

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.