BACKGROUND: The Officer’s M38 overseas field cap was originally introduced on December 6TH 1938 as a replacement for the old pattern visored field cap that had been introduced in March 1934. The design of the Officer’s M38 overseas cap was based on the M34 overseas cap as worn by EM/NCO’s. The black panzer version of the Officer’s M38 overseas cap wasn’t officially introduced until March 27TH 1940.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, M38 pattern, field-grey wool and rayon blend construction cap with a subtly ribbed gaberdine weave. The cap features fold down side and back panels with scalloped slopes to the forward side panels. The crown edge and the forward scalloped side panels are both piped in bright, interwoven, silver/aluminum braiding. As is typical the fold down panels are stitched in the upright position at the front center of the cap. The cap has a field-grey, enamel painted, magnetic sheet metal ventilation grommet to each side positioned just below the crown edges. Eagle has been removed. The front center of the fold down panels has a padded, hand embroidered national tri-color cockade which is original handstitched to the cap. Silver wire on the cockade is starting to come loose. The cockade is flanked by a black silk waffenfarbe soutache in an inverted "V" pattern. The soutache is applied in the proper manner running through slashes at the seam near the caps bottom edge and handstitched in place. Of Note: Regulations of July 10TH 1942 abolished the use of the branch of service soutache and instructed it to be removed from the caps, although the directive was not strictly adhered to. The interior of the cap is fully lined in ribbed, black cotton/rayon twill and has a partial, tan leather sweatband positioned at the front forehead section. Small tear to the sweatband. Unmarked. Looks to be about a size 56. Nice untouched cap, just needs an eagle.