Germany, Luftschutz. A Rare EM/NCO’s Luftwaffe-Style Overseas Cap, by Heinrich Balke

(Luftschutz Schiffchen). A rare and extremely well-preserved Luftschutz EM/NCO’s overseas cap, constructed of a classic Luftwaffe-style dark grey wool. The cap is fully surrounded by fold-down side walls which gently slope toward the front. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a dark navy blue rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered light silver-grey Luftschutz insignia, measuring 85 mm (w) x 26 mm (h). Directly below the insignia, the front of the walls also bears a Luftwaffe tri-colour cockade, constructed of machine-embroidered rayon and measuring 24 mm (w) x 24 mm (h). The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece dark grey rayon liner. Stamped onto the right side of the liner is a black ink maker’s mark of “HEINRICH BALKE MÜTZENFABRIK, BREMEN”, above a size mark of “58”. The cap measures approximately 29 cm (l) x 14 cm (h) when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear, this scarce crossover example is in an extremely fine condition.