Original German WWII DAK Afrika Korps Overseas Cap by Clemens Wagner – dated 1942 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The second most predominant item of Heer tropical soft headgear was based on the M-34 / 38 overseas cap, nicknamed in German army slang as Schiffchen, or literally “little ship” as it resembled an up-turned row-boat. It lacked a peak or visor, and was made in the same cotton as the M-40 ‘Afrikamutze’ cap. The production of these also started in 1940. The schiffchen had one eyelet per side as opposed to two, but utilized the same brown enameled stock as the M-40.

As with the continental wool version, the tropical overseas cap had turn-down sides, but these could not be folded down to cover the ears for cold weather protection because they were stitched in the front and back. The cap was also lined with red cotton, the sides being the last to be sewn in place. The insignia was sewn to the shell before the lining was added, and used exactly the same eagle, roundel and soutache as the M-40 ‘Afrikamutze’. From 1943 onwards, as with the M-40 billed cap, the eagle can be seen to be sewn on some examples on a triangular backing. This was a simple measure to speed up production, although it tended to lend the cap with a less attractive appearance.

Due to their very utilitarian and somewhat unflattering appearance, the overseas cap never gained the affection that the M-40 evoked from those who wore them. Nevertheless these M-34 / 38 Pattern Tropical caps also have an important place in any tropical uniform collection

This is an unissued Heer tropical pattern overseas cap worn by NCO & enlisted ranks in the DAK and southern Europe. Styled after the 1934 pattern, it is produced in olive-brown cotton twill with a functional flap and brown enameled alloy vent grommets. The front has neatly machine sewn tropical pattern Heer eagle and Tri-Color Kokarde (cockade) with a machine sewn white Waffenfarbe (Corps color) indicating infantry.

The interior has a liner of lightweight red cotton cloth marked with manufacturer stamp of Clemens Wagner/ Braunschweig and bearing a date of 1942. Numbers “55” and ‘53” are also stamped in the crown.

An excellent unissued condition Afrika Korps overseas cap in top shelf condition!