(Feldmütze). A late-war HJ Flak Helper’s cap, constructed of grey-blue wool with fold-down panels and skirt arms with rounded ends. The panels are secured to the front of the cap via a single grey pebbled metal (magnetic) button. Towards the front, above the button, is a single BeVo Hitlerjugend diamond crafted out of red, black, and white machine embroidery. The insignia is original to the cap and appears to be machine-sewn to the cap. In addition, the cap also features a cardboard-reinforced visor at the front. The interior is lined with grey quilted rayon diamond stitching and maker stamped R.B. number “0/2008 0004, size 59 and production year “44” in black ink. The cap measures approximately 180 mm (w) x 250 mm (h), and is generally very well preserved. It shows some signs of genuine wear from use, with moderate soiling on the inside liner from sweat. Otherwise near very fine condition.
Footnote: Starting on January 22, 1943, Hitler employed HJ boys to help with the operation of anti-aircraft artillery (Flak). Later, HJ boys manned entire Flak strongholds throughout Germany in the defense of the Fatherland. These caps are normally found in near mint condition so this is a rare example of a worn cap.