Original German Pre-WWII Mining Association Union Visor Cap in size 54 – circa 1934 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a really attractive example of an early NSDAP Period Pre-WWII German Mining Association Union Schirmmütze (visor cap). The cap is of black wool construction, and is clean, showing moderate use. It features a nice cap band, with a standard Tri-Color medal cockade with red felt center, with a small NDSAP Reichsadler (State Eagle) on the front crown. There are three rows of red piping, the design used for the mining association throughout the war, though this early cap does not have the unique “Mining Tools” cap emblem, which was introduced later.

The visor/peak of the cap is in good condition, and is the standard ‘Vulcanfibre” used throughout the war, with a black finish and brown underside. It is also size marked 54 on the underside of the visor. Interior is very clean with a faced makers mark on the crown. The cap is lined in brown lightweight fabric, and has a brown oilcloth liner, which is somewhat degraded. Some of the stitching around the edge is also pulled. This pattern does not have any chin strap, and never had one installed.

A very nice example of a somewhat rare Pre-WWII cap, 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.