Germany, Heer. A Beamter auf Kriegsdauer Visor Cap, Owner-Attributed, by EREL

 (Heer Schirmmütze für einen WH-Beamter auf Kriegsdauer). A very well-preserved Heer visor cap for a Beamter auf Kriegsdauer (Wartime Official in Wehrmacht service), constructed of field-grey wool with a gentle whipcord weave. It features reinforced side walls which are fully lined on the exterior with a dark grey wool cap band. Both the top and bottom edges of the band are trimmed with dark green wool piping, while an additional length of identical piping surrounds the outer edge of the crown. Pinned onto the peak of the cap is a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 25 mm (h) and constructed of silvered zink. Directly below the eagle, the centre of the cap band features a tri-colour cockade situated within a semi-circular oak leaf wreath, measuring 70 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) and similarly constructed of a silvered zink alloy. Pebbled aluminum studs flank the lower edge of the cap band and accommodate a chinstrap constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire, adjusted with sliding knots of identical construction. Completing the exterior features is a protruding vulcanfibre visor, finished in glossy black on the obverse and in matte brown on the reverse. The interior is encompassed by a multi-piece beige satin liner, while a brown leather sweatband surrounds the sidewalls, and is perforated by an array of ventilation holes. A partially-intact transparent plastic moisture guard is stitched in place on the crown, and retains a paper label bearing a handwritten owner’s name of “DIPL. ING. G. WEIFENBACH” indicating a qualified engineer embedded with the Wehrmacht. Both the liner and cap band are marked with the “EREL” trade name of the former firm of Robert Lubstein, Berlin. The cap measures approximately 24 cm (w) x 26.5 cm (l) x 16 cm (h). Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include sporadic fatigue to the base material, some separation of the visor from the rim with evidence of adhesive repair, and minor soiling surrounding the partially-deteriorated visor. This scarce and fine-quality example to an unusual service branch remains in a better than very fine condition.