Germany, Heer. An Infantry EM/NCO’s Visor Cap, by G. Knüdler

(Heer Schirmmütze für Mannschaften der Infanterie). A very well-preserved Heer Infantry EM/NCO’s visor cap, constructed of field-grey wool. It features reinforced side walls which are fully lined on the exterior with a dark green wool cap band. Both the top and bottom edges of the band are trimmed with white wool piping, while an additional length of identical piping surrounds the outer edge of the crown. Pinned onto the peak is an aluminum alloy insignia consisting of a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 65 mm (w) x 25 mm (h) and retaining all attachment prongs. Directly below the eagle, the centre of the cap band features a two-piece aluminum insignia consisting of a tri-colour cockade situated within an oak leaf wreath, measuring 64 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) overall. The lower edge of the cap band is flanked on each side by blackened magnetic metal studs which accommodate a black leatherette chinstrap, itself adjusted with two blackened magnetic metal buckles. A protruding vulcanfibre visor completes the exterior features, and is finished in black on the obverse and in light brown on the reverse. A multipiece beige rayon liner encompasses the interior, while a wide light brown leather sweatband surrounds the walls, and is perforated across the forehead with ventilation holes. The crown retains an intact plastic moisture guard which bears a maker’s mark of “G. KNÜDLER, HEILBRONN”. Additionally, owner initials of “HJS” have been carefully perforated into the sweatband. The cap measures approximately 25 cm (w) x 27.5 cm (l) x 16 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and field wear are evident, and include sporadic material fatigue to the exterior wool which has resulted in some disruption to the nap, with bending of the side walls and some detachment of the sweatband stitching. The cap remains in a better than very fine condition.