Luftwaffe NCO Visor Cap, Signals, Private Purchase
Price: Sold
BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard 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 individual’s rank. On its inception in 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 “Sattelform” cap with a higher front peak and an oval shaped top. Officers 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. The different branches of service within the Luftwaffe were allocated a particular identifying waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with light brown being chosen for Signals personnel. EM/NCO ranks utilized the appropriate waffenfarbe piping and blackened leather chinstraps.
Description: Nice quality, privately purchased, Luftwaffe blue/gray, wool/rayon blend EM/NCO’s visor cap dated 1939; black, horizontally ribbed, interwoven, mohair center band, and golden brown wool waffenfarbe piping to the crown edge and both the top and bottom edges of the center band. Second pattern aluminum cap eagle & cockade; black, patent leather chinstrap with two, black painted, vertically rectangular, metal, retaining clips and two, black painted, vertically oval, metal, sliding length adjustment buckles. The chinstrap is secured to the cap by two, smooth, black painted sheet metal buttons. typical black lacquered, ersatz cardstock visor with leather edge. Interior of the cap is lined in rust/orange colored cotton retaining its complete (although a bit loose) celluloid sweat diamond bearing the manufacturer’s logo & name of “Carl Bangert – Mutzen Fabrik – Koblenz” + black ink stamped date, “1939” + size “56-1/2”. Wide, tan leather sweatband with ventilation perforations to brow. Shows a bit of age but little if any use. High end private purchase Visor.
