Germany, SA. A Leader’s Service Kepi

(Sturmabteilung Käppi für Leiter). A well-preserved Sturmabteilung (SA) Leader’s kepi, constructed of a rounded canister with a dyed red wool base surrounded by a layer of light brown cotton twill, the latter tapering toward the front where it is pinned in the centre with a pebbled magnetic metal buttons. The crown is flat and is trimmed along the outer edge with a length of silver aluminum wire piping, with dual ventilation holes set into the sides, all reinforced with magnetic metal grommets. Pinned onto the peak is a second pattern SA-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, constructed of gilded zink and measuring 65 mm (w) x 32 mm (h). The lower edge is flanked on each side by a single brown painted magnetic metal button securing in place a multi-piece brown leatherette chinstrap, adjusted with dual functional brown painted magnetic metal buckles. Completing the exterior features is a protruding visor with a card stock core fully lined in an identical cotton twill. The interior is surrounded by a light brown leather sweatband, and fully encompassed by a multi-piece, golden-yellow, cotton/rayon-blended liner. The crown bears the remnants of a transparent plastic rhomboid moisture guard which has been lost to time. Unmarked, the kepi measures approximately 17 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 13 cm (h). Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some fatigue to the cotton base, loss of finish to the eagle insignia which also shows evidence of replacement from an earlier insignia, and minor soiling of the interior. It remains in an overall better than very fine condition.