BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. The German navy also had a long tradition of brown and white tropical/landing dress that was worn in hot climates with the white uniform also serving as a walking out dress. The tradition was continued through the Weimar era and in 1929 the Reichsmarine introduced new brown and white tropical/landing dress uniforms with a stand-up collars. In 1937 the Kriegsmarine introduced new style brown and white tropical uniforms with lay down collars. With the impending entrance into the North African campaign in late 1940 the Kriegsmarine developed another new tropical brown uniform independently from the Heer and Luftwaffe, but retained the 1937 pattern white uniform. The new, (1940), tropical brown uniforms also included headgear. The tropical M41 cap was similar in design to the later M43 caps but without the fold down side panels. Officer’s M41 field caps were distinguished from EM/NCO’s caps by the addition of a golden yellow soutache piping on the crown edge and/or the scalloped front edge while Administrative Officials utilized silver piping. Of Note: Due to the silver insignia the Administrative personnel were contemptuously referred to as Silberlinge, (Silvered Ones).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Light weight, ribbed tan, cotton twill construction cap features, dual-ply, stitched down side and back panels with a gently scalloped downward slope to the front center. The top edge of the dual-ply panels are piped in bright, interwoven silver/aluminum braid indicating an Administrative official with the equivalent of officers rank. The cap has two, natural alloy ventilation grommets to each side positioned just below the outer edge of the crown seam. The top center seam is correctly stitched right through the interior liner for added strength. The front center of the cap has a machine woven national eagle in golden yellow threads on a cut-out woven tan rayon base. The front center of the dual-ply, downward sloping scalloped panel has a machine woven national tri-color cockade on a diamond shaped, woven tan rayon base. Both pieces of insignia are neatly handstitched to the cap. Eagles stitching is starting to pull loose, but is still firmly held in place. The cap has an extended, cotton twill covered, forward visor with an internal stiffener with a subtly raised lip to the forward edge. The interior of the cap is fully lined in light weight, green cotton twill. The lining is well marked with a black size inkstamp, "58", and the manufacturers Rbnr# code. Nice clean cap. Scarce.