BACKGROUND: The German EM/NCO’s "Donald Duck" style sailor’s cap was based on a traditional design that dates back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848. During the Imperial German Navy, the Reichsmarine and the early Third Reich eras these Donald Duck style sailor’s caps were issued with a named cap talley to identify the ship, flotilla or land unit the individual was serving with. On November 1ST 1938 the Navy mobilization order introduced the "Kriegsmarine" cap talley to replace the named cap tallies as a security measure in the case of active mobilization. Personnel who had no possible contact with the outside world retained the privilege to wear the named tallies until mid-1940 when additional orders restricted wear of all named cap tallies excluding personnel of the NCO’s Preparatory Schools. Originally the script on the cap tallies was worked in gilt wire but due to the potential tarnish discoloration of the wire regulations of October 29TH 1936 dictated that the manufacture of the gilt script on the cap tallies was to be discontinued and replaced with golden yellow celleon threads although the directive was not strictly adhered to. Of Note: The Kreuzer Köln,({Light} Cruiser Cologne), was launched on May 23RD 1928 and participated in non-intervention patrols during the Spanish Civil War. During WWII the Köln served as an escort for mine layers in the North Sea, before participating in the battle for Norway. She continued service in northern waters through-out the war until she was sunk in port at Wilhelmshaven on April 30TH 1945.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, (pre-November 1936), black silk construction cap talley with machine woven Gothic script, "Kreuzer Köln", in gilt flat-wire threads. The cap talley is roughly, 120cm long.