Germany, NSDAP. A Political Leader’s Visor Cap, Orts-Level

(NSDAP Schirmmütze für Politische Leiter). An Orts-level NSDAP Political Leader’s visor cap, constructed of a light brown rayon/wool blended cloth with a whipcord weave. The cap features reinforced side walls liner on the exterior with a smooth dark brown doeskin cap band. Both the top and bottom edges of the band are trimmed with blue piping, while an additional length of identical piping surrounds the outer edge of the crown. Pinned onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a gilded bronze NSDAP-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 30 mm (h). Directly below the eagle, the centre of the cap band is pinned with a multi-piece wreath and cockade, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, measuring 110 mm (w) x 45 mm (h) overall. The lower edge of the cap band is  flanked by gilded and pebbled magnetic metal buttons which retain an original chinstrap constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled gold bullion wire. A protruding vulcanfibre visor completes the exterior features, and is finished in dark brown on the obverse and in a lighter brown on the reverse. The interior is partially encompassed by a beige rayon liner, while a brown leather sweatband surrounds the walls. The crown retains an intact transparent plastic rhomboid moisture guard. A Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) label is retained beneath the sweatband and bears a stamped maker’s mark which appears to read “B1/1500”. The cap measures approximately 24 cm (w) x 28 cm (l) x 16 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and possible refurbishment are evident, and include minor material fatigue to the exterior material, some loss of finish to the metal insignia, and extensive wear throughout the interior liner which has exposed the crown’s underlay, as well as the loss of material throughout the walls, indicating restoration. The cap remains in a very fine condition.