Germany, Heer. A Rare Chaplain’s M38 Field Cap

(Heer Schiffchen M38 für einen Militärgeistlichen/Kriegspfarrer). A rare and extremely well-preserved Heer Chaplain’s M38 field cap, constructed of field-grey wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side walls which are scalloped toward the front. A length of silver aluminum wire piping surrounds the outer edge of the crown, while an additional length of identical piping extends across the front of the walls. The crown is flanked on each side by a single ventilation hole which is reinforced with a grey painted non-magnetic metal grommet. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a dark green wool backer bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 70 mm (w) x 35 mm (h). Directly below the eagle, the cap is stitched with an unusual cloth cross, consisting of a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire Latin Cross affixed to a dark green wool backer measuring 15 mm (w) x 20 mm (h). The front additionally features a tri-colour cockade constructed of aluminum wire with a red wool centrepiece, measuring 23 mm in diameter, surrounded by a soutache executed in a classic Chaplain’s purple. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece slate-grey rayon liner, with a brown leather sweatband extending across the forehead, bearing an embossed inscription of “DEUTSCHES FABRIKAT”. The cap is unmarked with the exception of a black ink size stamp of “58” situated to the right of the crown. Measuring approximately 30 cm (l) x 12 cm (h) when folded on a flat surface, the cap demonstrates minor fatigue to the wire features and exterior material. A scarce example, this striking cap remains in an extremely fine condition.