Original German WWII HJ National Youth Organization Skimütze Winter Ski Cap - Size 54

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great looking German WWII HJ National Youth Organization Skimütze (Ski Cap), privately purchased for a young member of the HJ, probably by his parents. These were the standard headgear for DJ and HJ members during the winter months, and they are quite a bit more insulated than the summer issued caps. While they are called "Ski Caps", they were definitely used for general use.

The cap is constructed of very dark navy blue worsted wool gabardine cloth, with fold-down panels with rounded scallops to the front and forward sides, covering the entire neck on the sides and rear when in use. When not in use, the panels are raised with their ends resting upon the visor, being joined together by a single pebbled button. The visor is reinforced with cardboard, and covered in matching gabardine cloth.

The front top of the cap has a very nice enameled HJ diamond emblem, which consists of a black mobile swas inside a white square diamond, which is surrounded by alternating white and red quadrants. The borders between sections are plated metal, which still displays the original silver finish on the front and back. The back is also (RZM) marked, but the maker code is unclear.

The interior of the cap is lined with lightweight blue cotton twill, which has rows of stitching on the sides to hold the insulation in place. There is a gray finished leather sweatband around the bottom edge, which shows some wear and staining from service, and has had the stitching pull out around the edge in sections. The lining shows damage and tearing in areas. We checked the interior, and there are no maker markings we can see, and it has all the hallmarks of a privately purchased cap, made by a local hatter. There is a size tag sewn under one of the side seams, marked with size 54.

Overall condition is very good, with the color retained very well and showing light to moderate wear. There is however some moth damage, with some small holes in areas, as well as loss of the fuzzy "nap" of the fabric. The visor is still quite well shaped, with just a bit of bending to the cardboard stiffener, and no cracks.

Overall, this is a lovely used example of a private purchased HJ Winter Skimütze, ready to research and display!

HJ believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (National Youth Organization) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (jugend) and girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel) were enlisted in the Party-run organization.

The HJ Skimütze Ski Cap was based on the Bergmütze (Mountain Hat) used by Austrian and German Gebirgsjäger (Mountain Troops) during WWI. Germany had adopted it in 1915, and after the war it spread throughout the military. It has the same fold down flaps, which can be placed over the ears during cold weather, and is secured with a buckle.