Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Gendarmerie EM/NCO’s Shako, by Robert Lubstein

(Gendarmerie Tschako für Mannschaften). A very well-preserved Gendarmerie EM/NCO’s shako, constructed of a black vulcanfibre shell with a gentle slope protruding at the back for neck protection. The sides of the canister are fully lined with a smooth police-green wool liner. Affixed to the crown is a lacquered brown vulcanfibre “coffee can” style fitting, secured in place with heavy machine stitching around the outer circumference. It is flanked on each side by dual ventilation holes, reinforced with non-magnetic metal eyelets with mesh screens. A hollow channel is set into the peak, and is inserted with an aluminum cockade affixed to a U-shaped prong. The reverse of the cockade is stamped with a maker’s mark of “KARL KÜHNEL, PETERSWALD”, with a manufacture date of “1942”. Also riveted to the peak is an aluminum Ordnungspolizei insignia consisting of a semi-circular oak leaf wreath, overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 13.5 cm (w) x 8 cm (h). Aluminum studs emanate from the sides of the shako and retain an intact brown leather chinstrap, adjusted with dual functional aluminum buckles. Lacquered brown vulcanfibre visors descend from both the visor and neck guard. The interior features a light brown leather sweatband culminating in nine fingers, each perforated with five ventilation holes, topped by an additional hole for the accommodation of an original drawstring. The crown bears a fully-intact maker’s mark of “ROBERT LUBSTEIN, BERLIN”, situated above its classic “EREL” trade name. Also stamped onto the crown is a size mark of “55 1/2”. The shako measures approximately 16.5 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 15 cm (h) (exclusive of cockade). Demonstrating only minor signs of material fatigue to the vulcanfibre and leather elements, it remains in an extremely fine condition.