BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all military personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with based on the individuals rank. On its inception on February 26TH 1935, the Luftwaffe adopted most of the uniform items of the earlier DLV, Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), its civilian forerunner, including the visor cap. In March 1935 the earlier, "Tellerform", saucer shaped, caps were replaced with a new a "Sattelform" cap with a higher front peak and an oval shaped top. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own caps and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase their caps from the armed forces clothing depots or to privately purchase visor caps of higher quality. Although enlisted personnel were issued their caps from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored caps although the price may have been restrictive. Company and Field grade Officer’s caps were distinguished from the EM/NCO’s caps by bright silver/aluminum piping and a silver/aluminum chin cord while General Officer’s ranks utilized gold colored fittings. EM/NCO ranks visor caps utilized the appropriate waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), piping and blackened leather chinstraps.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Luftwaffe blue/grey, wool/rayon blend construction visor cap with a very subtle, whipcord weave features a black, horizontally ribbed, interwoven, mohair centerband, and bright, interwoven silver/aluminum piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the centerband. Piping shows lots of wear and worn areas. The front center of the cap has a hand embroidered, second pattern, Luftwaffe eagle in bright silver/aluminum wire threads with bright silver/aluminum bullion accent threads on a cut-out, Luftwaffe blue/grey wool base. The eagle is neatly handstitched to the cap. The front center of the centerband has a hand embroidered, winged, oak-leaf wreath in silver/aluminum wire threads, encompassing a hand embroidered national tri-color cockade. The winged wreath and cockade are mounted on a cut-out black wool base which is also hand stitched in place. The cap has an interwoven, twisted, silver/aluminum, braid, chin cord which is secured to the cap by two, small, silver washed, pebbled, alloy buttons. The cap has an extended, forward, black lacquered, vulcanfibre visor. The interior of the cap is fully lined in rayon. Some of the original sweat shield is complete. Size marked 57 ½. Nice complete wide leather sweatband.