Original German WWII Heer Army Wehrmachthelferin Female Auxiliary Signals M38 Overseas Cap with Trade Pin – Size 55cm 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 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 scalloped edge in the front and the crown of the cap is piped in Zitronengelb (lemon-yellow), the Corps Color (Waffenfarbe) used by the Heer Army Signal corps, responsible for setting up and maintaining communication equipment. The front center of the cap has a BeVO machine embroidered Heer eagle in white threads on a cut-out black base, neatly hand stitched to the cap, and there is no cockade as per regulations.

The left side of the cap has a gorgeous yellow-greenish “lightning bolt” pin-on trade badge for signals on an oval black background. The interior has a size stamping 55, and the lining is in fantastic condition, with the small leather sweatband at the front in full complete condition.

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.

Condition of this cap is very good, with only light wear to the outer wool shell, and no moth damage that we can see, just a bit of age toning and staining. The interior shows little wear as well.

A very good example, ready for further research and display.