Germany, Heer. A Rare Chaplain’s Crusher-Style Visor Cap

(Wehrmacht Schirmmütze für einen Heerespfarrer). A rare and very well-preserved Heer Chaplain’s crusher-style visor cap, constructed of field-grey wool. It features lightly-reinforced side walls, fully lined on the exterior with a smooth dark green wool cap band. Both the top and bottom edges of the cap band are trimmed with classic violet piping, with an additional band of identical piping surrounding the outer edge of the crown. Stitched onto the peak is an insignia consisting of a field-grey rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 70 mm (w) x 28 mm (h). Directly underneath the eagle, the cap is affixed with a Latin Cross constructed of a dark green wool backer with silver aluminum wire, measuring 15 mm (w) x 20 mm (h). Also affixed to the centre of the cap band is an insignia consisting of a dark green rayon backer bearing a machine-embroidered tri-colour cockade surrounded by an oak leaf wreath, measuring 70 mm (w) x 42 mm (h). Completing the exterior features is protruding black leather visor, reinforced on the reverse with a layer of black vulcanfibre. The interior features a light brown leather sweatband, perforated with an array of ventilation holes throughout the forehead, measuring 42 mm in width. It is fully encompassed by a beige rayon liner, with the crown retaining an intact transparent plastic rhomboid moisture guard. The latter protects a black stamped mark of “BESTE QUALITÄT” (“BEST QUALITY”) which remains fully legible. It is otherwise unmarked and measures 230 mm (w) x 255 mm (l) x 160 mm (h). Minor issues are evident, and include some wear which has resulted in the loss of wire to the peak eagle and cross, slight soiling to the crown wool, and spots of fatigue to the visor. This rare Chaplain’s cap is in an overall near extremely fine condition.