Germany, NSKK. A National Socialist Motor Corps Officer’s Kepi

(Käppi für Offizier der Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrkorps). A well-preserved National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) Officer’s kepi, constructed of a reinforced olive-drab wool shell. The upper portion of the canister features a smooth black wool cap band, trimmed along both edges with brown wool piping, reflecting post-December 1936 manufacture specifications. Additional lengths of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire piping also trim the top and bottom edges of the cap band. It is flanked by sets of dual ventilation holes reinforced with magnetic metal grommets. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a black wool backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire NSKK-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, topped by a banner bearing an inscription of “NSKK”. Directly underneath the eagle is a magnetic metal button featuring a raised NSKK insignia, securing in place the kepi’s decorative flaps. It is flanked by additional buttons of identical appearance and construction, in turn securing in place a two-piece brown leather chinstrap, adjusted with dual functional magnetic metal buttons. When not in use, the chinstrap rests upon a protruding cardboard-reinforced visor, fully lined in identical wool. The interior side wall is fully lined with a brown leather sweatband, measuring 35 mm in width, while a brown card stock composite reinforcement is visible and maintains the kepi’s structural integrity. The crown is lined with a brown oil cloth liner and bears a silver size mark of “56”, with an additional mark which has been scratched out. It measures approximately 190 mm (w) x 240 mm (l) x 115 mm (h). Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include some mothing to the piping, fatigue and oxidation of the silver aluminum wire features, cracking and fatigue of the oil cloth and leather features, and distortion of the side wall reinforcement which has bent the structure. It is in an overall very fine condition.