BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all military personnel during the Third Reich period, (1933-1945), and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individual’s rank. Originally the insignia worn on the visor caps consisted of the Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era pattern oak-leaf wreath and cockade until March 14TH 1933 when the Reichswehr’s oval black, red and gold cockade was replaced with a circular cockade in black, white, and red. On February 17TH 1934 the Third Reich pattern national eagle for the army was officially introduced for wear on the visor cap. In March 1935 a new, more detailed, pattern wreath and cockade and a second, larger pattern national eagle were also introduced for wear and were utilized until the end of the war. The new insignia came in a variety of manufacturing styles to include stamped alloy, hand embroidered and even machine woven in some instances. EM/NCO ranks generally utilized the stamped metal type of insignia on their visor caps as opposed to the hand embroidered insignia usually used on Officer’s visor caps. Of Note: Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own headgear items, including the insignia, and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the army’s Kleiderkasse, (Clothing Account), system. The clothing allowances for Officer’s consisted of a singular pay out of roughly, 450.00 Reichsmarks, ($180.00USD), followed by a maintenance allowance of roughly 30.00RM, ($12.00USD), per month. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their headgear and insignia from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase items of higher quality.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, (Circa March 1935-May 1945), aluminum construction national eagle features outstretched wings, and is clutching a wreathed, canted swastika in it’s talons. Original prongs are intact. Maker marked and dated for 1939. Nice eagle.