S.A. GRUPPE “NIEDERSACHSEN” EM SERVICE KEPI (S.A.-Dienstmütze)
Price: Sold
DESCRIPTION:
A tan cotton twill cap with a flat crown, stiff sides and visor. The wire-stiffened edge of the crown is piped in the same material, and there are two metal ventilation grommets just below the crown edge to either side. The dark brown wool gruppe band is excellent retaining its original 1929 pattern eagle. An aluminum colored pebbled button is at the center seam between the eagle and the chinstrap. Correct brown leather chinstrap is in two sections, connected by a vertical oval “ring” and with a brown-painted metal sliding adjustment buckle to either side. The chinstrap is attached at either end by two, small, smooth darkened brass buttons. The kepi’s short, stiff visor is covered in tan cotton twill. The interior crown is lined in the typical rust-colored oilcloth. Nice complete original black leather sweatband. Originally worn by a member of S.A.-group “NIEDERSACHSEN” or “MITTELRHEIN”, as distinguished by the dark brown color along its top in combination with the aluminum button to its front. The ranks of S.A.-Mann through S.A.-Obertruppführer wore these un-piped kepi with the Gruppe color exposed above the fold-down panels. An Excellent condition early Kepi-$1250.
BACKGROUND: Originally, members of the fledgling S.A. had no official headgear, and most wore a grey, Austrian-style ski cap until the introduction of the soft kepi in 1924. It was modified in 1929, taking, effectively, its final “coffee can” form. After 1933, the colored tops which had hitherto been reserved for S.A. leaders were extended to all ranks.
