Germany, Reichsforstdienst. A Reich Forestry Service Officer’s Visor Cap, by Erel

(Reichsforstdienst Schirmmütze). A well-preserved Reich Forestry Service (Reichsforstdienst) officer’s visor cap, constructed of field-grey wool with a forest-green cap band. Bands of forest-green piping surround both the crown, as well as the top and bottom of the cap band. Stitched into the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a padded forest-green wool base bearing a hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika. The insignia measures 68 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). Stitched into the center of the cap band is a wreath and cockade, on a padded forest-green wool backer, constructed of hand-embroidered silver aluminum wire and zink, respectively. The wreath measures 120 mm (w) x 40 mm (h) overall. The cap is flanked on each side by a pebbled magnetic metal button securing in place a decorative chinstrap, constructed of multiple rows of silver aluminum wire, which rests upon the visor. The latter is constructed of black lacquered vulcanfibre and is set securely into the structure of the cap. The interior features a green leather sweatband, measuring 40 mm in width, and a light green rayon liner. A partially-intact transparent moisture guard is stitched into the crown, underneath which the remnants of an “EREL” maker’s mark are visible. An additional Erel mark is stamped onto the sweatband. Issues consisting with age and use are visible to the cap, and including mothing and material fatigue of the wool, material fatigue and cracking of the sweatband, soiling of the interior liner, and degradation of the moisture guard. The cap is in an overall very fine condition.