Germany, Reichsbahn. An NCO’s Visor Cap

(Reichsbahn Schirmmütze für Offiziere). A well-preserved Reichsbahn (State Railway) NCO’s visor cap, constructed of dark blue wool twill. It features reinforced side walls, fully lined on the exterior with a smooth black doeskin wool cap band. Both the top and bottom edges of the cap band are trimmed with red wool piping, while an additional band of identical piping trims the outer edge of the crown. Pinned onto the peak is a gilded aluminum insignia consisting of a government-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. Measuring 55 mm (w) x 36 mm (h), the eagle retains both of its reverse attachment prongs and is maker marked with the logo of F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid. Pinned onto the centre of the cap band directly underneath the eagle is a second insignia consisting of a non-magnetic metal and wool tri-colour cockade, set within gilded aluminum wings and a Reichsbahn insignia. The cap band insignia measures 135 mm (w) x 40 mm (h). The cap band is also flanked by pebbled and gilded magnetic metal buttons securing in place a decorative chinstrap constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled gold bullion wire and dark blue threaded piping. The chinstrap features dual sliding knots and rests upon a protruding vulcanfibre visor, finished in a matte black on the obverse and in a matte brown on the reverse. The interior of the side walls is fully lined with a light brown leatherette sweatband measuring 45 mm in width. The interior is also encompassed by a brown oilcloth liner, with the crown retaining a transparent plastic moisture guard. A silvered mark of “REICHSBAHNKLEIDERKASSE” is visible underneath the guard, indicating that the cap was purchased from the Reichsbahn clothing office. It is also marked in black ink with a size mark of “56”. The cap measures approximately 255 mm (w) x 240 mm (l) x 150 mm (h). Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and includes material fatigue and mothing to the outer wool and piping, with distortion of the cap band and structure, and deterioration of the sweatband and interior liner. The cap is in an overall very fine condition.