Germany, Heer. An Engineer Officer’s M38 Overseas cap

(Heer Schiffchen M38 für Offiziere der Pioniere). A well-preserved Heer Engineer Officer’s M38 field cap, constructed of field-grey whipcord wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side panels, scalloped at the front. The panels are trimmed across the peak with a length of silver aluminum wire piping, while an additional length of identical piping trims the outer edge of the crown. It is flanked on each side by ventilation holes reinforced with grey-painted non-magnetic metal grommets. Stitched onto the front of the panels is an aluminum wire tricolour cockade measuring 25 mm in diameter. Surrounding the cockade is a black embroidered soutache. The interior features a partial brown leather sweatband set across the forehead, and is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner. Unmarked, the cap measures approximately 300 mm (l) w 120 when folded on a flat surface. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include material fatigue to the exterior wool and wire features, with additional soiling of the wool, the loss of the peak’s eagle insignia, deterioration of the cockade, and some fatigue to the interior sweatband. Demonstrating clear evidence of field use, this cap is in an overall very fine condition.