Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Tropical Visor Cap

(Luftwaffe Tropenschirmmütze). A rare Luftwaffe tropical visit cap, constructed of a khaki-tan cotton cloth. It features a flattened crown which is flanked on each side by dual ventilation holes, all reinforced with zink grommets. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a khaki-tan cotton base bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum flat wire Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, measuring 68 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). Directly below the eagle, the centre of the cap band is stitched with an additional insignia consisting of a khaki-tan cotton base bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum flat wire wreath and cockade, measuring 135 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). Two of three zink buttons remain distributed around the cap band for the inclusion of a chinstrap and neck cover, both of which have been lost to time. A protruding visor completes the exterior features, and consists of a rigid card stock core fully lined in identical cloth. A multi-piece red cotton liner encompasses the interior, while a rigid internal reinforcement maintains the structural integrity of the peak. Unmarked, the cap measures approximately 23.5 cm (w) x 27 cm (l) x 15 cm (h). The cap demonstrates issues consistent with age and field wear in addition to the missing fixtures, which includes minor soiling throughout the base material, as well as some oxidation and fatigue to the wire of the peak insignia. This scarce cap, commonly referred to as a “Hermann Meier” cap in response to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring’s infamous quip about Allied aerial bombing, remains in a very fine condition.