BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard issue item for all personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individuals rank. Officer and senior NCO ranks could purchase their caps from the army clothing depots but were also permitted to wear privately purchased visor caps of higher quality. Originally the insignia worn on the visor cap consisted the Weimar Reichsheer pattern oak-leaf wreath and cockade until a new more detailed pattern wreath and cockade were introduced in March 1935. The Kriegsmarine insignia was golden yellow with the exception of Administrative personnel which utilized silver insignia. Of Note: Due to the silver insignia the Administrative personnel were contemptuously referred to as Silberlinge, (Silvered Ones).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1935 pattern, hand embroidered oak-leave wreath in bright silver/aluminum bullion and wire threads on a cut-out, navy blue wool base with an internal padding. The wreath encompasses a hand embroidered national tri-color cockade with a black thread base, a silver/aluminum wire roundel and an inserted red felt centerpiece. The reverse of the base has a protective black fabric backing. Scarce.