Infanterie Schirmmutze

The Schirmmütze was the standard service and dress peaked cap worn by all ranks of the German military (Wehrmacht Heer, Luftwaffe, etc.) during the Nazi era. The distinguishing features of an enlisted man's Schirmmütze included a black leather chinstrap and stamped metal insignia, in contrast to the braided silver or aluminum cords and potentially higher-quality materials used for officer versions. The most obvious differentiator, enlisted men and NCOs wore a black leather chinstrap secured by pebbled buttons. Officers had a braided metallic (silver or aluminum) cord. The cap featured the national eagle-and-swastika emblem (Wehrmachtsadler) above a national cockade (red, white, and black) surrounded by an oak leaf wreath. For enlisted men, these badges were typically stamped aluminum or alloy. Piping (Waffenfarbe): The cap had colored piping along the top edge of the crown and around both the top and bottom edges of the dark green cap band. This color, or Waffenfarbe, indicated the wearer's specific branch of service (e.g., white for infantry, red for artillery, rose-pink for Panzer troops). Issued enlisted caps were typically made of field-grey wool or tricot fabric and often had a softer, "teller form" (dinner plate shape) top. While officers often purchased their caps privately to have a fashionable "saddle form" shape and higher quality doeskin or gabardine cloth, enlisted men could also purchase higher quality caps that resembled officer caps, with the leather chinstrap remaining the key signifier of rank. The Schirmmütze was part of the dress, service, and "walking out" uniform when in garrison. While some officers wore their Schirmmützen in the field, enlisted men typically did not, especially after the early war years, instead using field caps or steel helmets.

This item:

This is a truly beautiful, untouched, enlisted saddle shaped visor cap. Completely moth-free. Beautiful infantry white piping. A good eagle and cockade. It comes with a 3-piece, originally mounted storm strap. The sweatband has been replaced over time (which is why I'm offering it at a reasonable price). A very beautiful and honest visor cap.