BACKGROUND: The DRKB, Deutscher Reichskriegerbund (Kyffhäuserbund), (German National Association of Veterans, Kyffhäuser Association), was formed during WWI, and was based on the DKB, Deutscher Kriegerbund (German Veterans Association), originally formed after the war of 1870-71. The addition of "Kyffhäuser" in the associations name referred to the Kyffhäuser mountain where a large war memorial had been erected. The goal of the association was to preserve the morale and comradeship of former soldiers and to financially assist its members if required. On March 29TH 1938 the DRKB was was renamed NS-RKB, Nationalsozialistische-Reichskriegerbund, (National Socialist-State Soldiers League), by the NSDAP and amalgamated most of the earlier veterans associations into one national organization. Uniform and headgear regulations of the DRKB/NS-RKB were introduced prior to 1933 and were modified again in 1936 and 1938. 1936 pattern visor cap with the final official pattern cap insignia as introduced in late 1938.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Deep navy blue doeskin wool construction visor cap with gold/blue wire crown piping and a black, horizontally ribbed, mohair centerband with alternating, machine embroidered, Kyffhäuserbund monument and canted swastika also in black. Front center of cap has a stamped, polished aluminum NS-RKB style, left facing, national eagle, with a black enamel painted Iron Cross to breast superimposed over crossed swords. Front center of the centerband has a stamped, polished aluminum, oak-leaf wreath encompassing a three piece national tri-color cockade with a black fluted base, natural aluminum roundel, and red cloth centre dot. Cap has an interwoven gold chincord attached by, two small, black painted buttons. Cap has a black lacquered cardboard visor with simulated leather trim stitched to the forward edge. Interior of the cap is fully lined in purple rayon. Crown lining has a silver printed likeness of the 1936, Kyffhäuserbund monument with three vertical stripes at the base simulating the national tri-color flag encompassed by a shield shaped border. Lining also has additional silvered script, "Deutscher Reichskriegerbund Kyffhäuser (ges.Geschützt), (German National Association of Veterans, Kyffhäuser {Protected by Law}). Complete leather sweatband. Cap has been poorly stored over the years and is now miss-shaped. It will need to be reshaped by placing on a head form and then gently steaming. Rare Veterans Edelweiss badge to the side of the cap.