WW11 German Signal Officer’s Visor Cap

Description

WW11 German Signal Officer’s Visor Cap

Beautiful condition German Ww2 Signal Officer’s visor hat,  The body of this fine wool or felted cap is its ‘doeskin’ appearance, yellow piping to the hat , wire bulled cap badge ,original eagle and buttons to the side. All original gold wire bullion cord,  Makers inside is Paul Kaps Neisse. Absolutely clean cloth to this piece.

All hats are from a new private collection.

WW11 German Signal Officer’s Visor Cap

Peaked cap were first issued to German Landwehr troops during the Napoleonic Wars known as the Wachstuchmütze and made from oil cloth, since these were cheaper and easier to maintain than the heavy leather shakos and elaborate tailcoats worn by the British, French and Russian armies. The Prussian army was also the first to adopt the frock coat, so officers would not soil their dress uniforms on campaign.^{[citation needed]}

In 1935, the Nazis introduced new uniforms designed for modern mechanised warfare. However, the basic design including the peaked cap remained the same as in the Weimar Republic‘s Reichsheer. But the new national emblem featuring eagle clutching swastika, and black-red-white roundel in oak wreath were introduced on the caps. Enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers were issued with peaked caps with leather chincord. Officers received caps with metallic chincord. Both enlisted-NCOs’ caps and officers’ caps had specially colored piping around the cap according to their service branch (white for infantry, pink for panzer and so on). Gestapo and SS men were issued with black Schirmmützen featuring a silver death’s head. On campaign, Wehrmacht officers often removed the wire stiffening so the cap would resemble the older First World War–era crusher.^{[citation needed]}

After the Second World War, both the West German Bundeswehr and East German National People’s Army continued to be issued uniforms derived from the Second World War pattern. East German caps bore the DDR State Cockade with the Hammer and Compass design, while West German caps had a cockade in the German national colours, and a badge featuring a pair of crossed swords. After reunification, the Schirmmütze remained part of the German army dress uniform.^[11]