Germany, Third Reich. A State Forestry Service Officer’s Visor Cap

(Reichsforstdienst Schirmmütze für Offiziere). A well-preserved State Forestry Service Officer’s visor cap, constructed of grey-green wool. It features reinforced side walls, fully lined on the exterior with a dark green doeskin wool cap band. An additional band of dark green wool piping surrounds the crown. Pinned onto the peak of the cap is an insignia consisting of a Government-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 58 mm (w) x 38 mm (h). Pinned into the centre of the cap band underneath the eagle is a central non-ferrous metal tricolour cockade with a magnetic mesh centrepiece. The cockade is surrounded by an aluminum oak leaf wreath, with the entire arrangement measuring 115 mm (w) x 35 mm (h). A pebbled magnetic metal button flanks each side of the cap band, securing in place a decorative chinstrap constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire, adjusted with dual sliding knots of identical construction. The chinstrap rests upon a protruding pressed blackened leather visor, which is secured to the cap with machine stitching. A tan-coloured leather sweatband measuring 50 mm in width surrounds the interior, secured in place with machine stitching, and features an array of ventilation holes perforated throughout the forehead. The interior is fully encompassed by a golden-yellow rayon liner, with an intact transparent plastic rhomboid moisture guard stitched to the crown. Underneath the moisture guard is an intact “EREL” mark, flanked on the right by an illegible maker’s mark. The cap measures approximately 240 mm (w) x 260 mm (l) x 160 mm (h). Some issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include slight loss of finish to the insignia, some deterioration of the visor stitching, and desiccation of the padding on the reverse of the sweatband. It is in an overall very fine condition.