Original German WWII Heer Army Wehrmachthelferin Female Auxiliary Signals M38 Overseas Cap – Size 55 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Wehrmachthelferin was the name for girls and young women who served during the Second World War with the German Wehrmacht as auxiliaries. The first female auxiliary service in the Wehrmacht was the Army signals communications female auxiliaries, formed on 1 October 1940. Others followed suit, in the army and in the other services. Until December 1941, recruitment was by volunteer enlistment, but by that date unmarried women in the age group 18–40 years could be drafted into auxiliary service. All female auxiliary services were uniformed and under military discipline, with free rations, quarters and clothing. Yet, they were paid according to civil service pay rates and were not considered members of the armed forces, but auxiliaries of the armed forces. Their ranks did not correspond to military ranks.

This is a very nice and hard to find example of a German WWII Heer (army) Female Auxiliary overseas cap (Schiffchen). The overseas cap, was nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally “little ship” as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for this organization. The Nachrichtenhelferinnen (NH) des Heeres, or Army signals communications female auxiliaries, wore the same style of uniforms as the regular army, though they had specialized insignia and unit colors.

This example is constructed of a gray wool exterior, with fold down side and back panels with gently sloping, downward scallops to the front and forward sides. The top edge of the fold down panels are piped in twisted white/green rayon branch of service piping, which has faded slightly over the years. The front center of the cap has a BeVo machine embroidered Heer eagle in gray threads on a cut-outgreen base, neatly handstitched to the cap. No cockade as per regulations.

The inside of the cap is lined with lightweight cloth, and has size 55 stamped lightly on the right side interior. There is a front leather sweatband, which has a trademark in the middle. Condition of this cap is very good, with only light wear to the outer wool shell, and no moth damage that we can see. The interior shows little wear as well, though the sweatband has deteriorated and torn in the middle.

A very good example, ready to add to your collection!